Another "greatest generation" passes
 

On Sunday, 30 Sep, my 97 year old Uncle passed into the Loving Arms of his Savior. He was sleeping, no pain, just slipped away. Uncle John flew the "Hump" in WWII, as a Navigator and Radio Operator. The missions were extremely dangerous, as the DC3 of the day lacked performance capability to fly over the Himalayas, so they simply flew through the valleys and around the mountains. Beautiful and easy when the weather cooperated, incredibly dangerous when inclement. Like most of the Greatest Generation, Uncle John did his duty, returned home, rarely spoke of the War, and did his best to help build the USA as a land surveyor and timber purchaser for International Paper. Uncle John was a fountain of information on flatheads and A Models, but had a soft spot for MOPARs as well. Parked in my garage is his all-original (still with the Delivery Sticker on the left rear window and rubber bands on the rear seat belts!), 1979 Chrysler New Yorker, Fifth Avenue, Limited Edition, with 11,xxx actual miles. I can't walk into my garages without seeing his smiling face, and hearing him say, "better check the oil in that flattie, son, those things like a drink now and again!"
Praise God for my Uncle and people like him!
Y'all be safe, and love your family......

Re: Another "greatest generation" passes
 

May he rest in peace. My cousin also flew the "Hump" in WWII. They don't make 'em liked they used to.

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John
Thank you for all you have done as a member of The Greatest Generation. May God rest your soul !!

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I pray God's comfort for those who knew and loved him. This is another call for us to remember and honor those who served and sacrificed to make our nation what it is (or was). Marcus followed Uncle John with his military service and beyond trying to make this a better place to live. My appreciation to all who served honorably.

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Bless your family and your uncle's service to our country.

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Rest in peace John.

Unfortunately, all of these great guys and gals will be gone soon.

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Gosh, thanks for such a great tribute. The Greatest Generation really was the greatest.

Your uncle paid his dues and never complained.
Not like that any loner since the "entitled" generation emerged.
God Bless your uncle and you.

Re: Another "greatest generation" passes
 

What is it about Uncle John's. I had an uncle John who was a hard working, Christian, family man. He too loved cars of all makes & his favorite tractor was a Ford. Also part of The Greastest Gen.
God bless you in your loss.....nice to have his car.
mike

Re: Another "greatest generation" passes
 

We had a 'Hump' pilot as a Charter member of RG # 85 here in Oregon- Grant Lindsay, numerous Dearborns and even Dearborned a GPW Ford Jeep. Miss 'm all. Newc

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I'm extremely grateful to be an American and so Thankful for all those of 'The Greatest Generation' that sacrificed so much to give us the freedom we enjoy today. I live on the left edge of the left coast and I feel so at home when I read a post like this. God Bless your Uncle John and all the other 'Uncle Johns' we have all looked up to!

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Right on, GB !!!

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My grandfather served in the China/Burma/India theater and was flown out of China on one of those "between the mountains" flights.

There were hundreds of them, but what are the chances..........

I owe your uncle and his comrades a lifetime of thanks!

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Thank you all for the wonderful comments! I shall incorporate some of them into his eulogy this afternoon. Newc (anyone else interested), send a PM to me with your email, and I'll send pictures of the 1942 Willys Jeep and M100 trailer that I restored in his honor - the Willys has a Ford motor !

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I just feel that we as a nation, and even the world, were very lucky to have people who did not rant and rave and protest and loot because they were called on to do a job. Most were not sophisticated people but just accustomed to being hard working, self reliant, citizens who just wanted to "get this thing over with".


My Daddy never talked about that war and I honestly do not know of all his experiences but I DO know how lucky we are to have the benefits of "Uncle John" and many others.

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God bless him. His service to his country was honorable.