Hello, Pleased to be here!

Hello,
I am a new forum member and am pleased to be here. I am 54 years old and grew up in Miami Florida. I now live in Flagler Beach, Florida. I am the very proud son of a decorated WWII veteran. My father was a member of the 557th Field Artillery Battalion in the ETO. Their weapon was the M12 155MM Gun Motor Carriage as in my avatar. My dad passed away about 7 years ago and I miss him every day. I have always been a WWII buff and read everything I can get my hands on. I'd like to think I am pretty well versed in WWII history but always eager to learn more. (particularly from our Veterans) To any veterans who lurk on this board, my most heartfelt thank you for your service, and I want you to know you are all my heroes.

 

drift,

Pleasure to have you with us, and look forward to hearing more from you. On my behalf, I am honored and very grateful for your Father's service to this amazing country. I have an open heart for our veterans and willingly express it when it is due. Mark yourself at home, and ask away!

Mark

 

Hello Drift,

Welcome to the forum, I look forward to reading some of your posts. I also think you will find our veterans here to be very knowledgeable and open in their posting.

Best of luck,

Jon

 

Hi there Hurricane drift...welcome to the WWII forums..

 

Thanks for the warm welcome. A little bit more about my father. He was one of four brothers (also three sisters) born and raised to a working class family in Massachussettes. After high school he went to work for Pratt and Whitney aircraft engines in Connecticut. He worked as an aircraft engine tester. Upon the start of WWII the 3 older brothers enlisted. As many who grew up during the early days of aviation, several of them (including my dad) had dreams of becoming fighter pilots. Well my dad to his surprise was found to be slightly color blind. (he didn't even know it) That was the end of his dream. They also knew that he had experience with aircraft radials so he thought he could at least work on the planes if he couldn't fly them. Well much to his surprise he was sent to the field artillery! Reason being a few units would be given the M12 self propelled 155MM artillery piece and they were powered by aircraft radial engines. As a result he was assigned to the 557th Field Artillery Division Service Battalion. The 557th recieved their artillery training at Camp Gruber Oklahoma. One of his other brothers did indeed make it into the Army Air Corp. and flew a P-47D Thunderbolt named Kaweah Kutie. His other brother found his way into the infantry in the 102nd Infantry Division. His younger brother who enlisted later also made it into Army Air Corp. and was an Aviatin Cadet when the war ended. Never let it be said the Ballou boys from Mass. didn't do their share. My father was able to take many pictures during the war and left me a large photo album with many excellent pictures. As I become more familiar with the nuts and bolts of the forum I will post some. My father also talked with me extensively about the war and related many an interesting story I would be happy to pass on. My father was awarded the Bronze Star. I have pictures of my Dad at a forward air base in Germany standing with his older brother in front of his P-47D. As it is taken from the front side I can see the name of the plane (Kaweah Kutie) but no unit numbers are visible.
It has a picture of a beautiful indian maiden under the name Kaweah Kutie painted on the engine cowling. I hope somebody will be able to tell me how to find out his unit. All for now. Dan

 

Howdy and welcome to the forum. Glad to have you with us and thanks for sharing your father's background. Happy posting.

 

Hello Hurricanedrift!

Welcome to the WW2Forums! Looking forward to those pics and perhaps more stories!

 

Welcome on this fine place and good to have you with us.