Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “War Stories: Bill the Tommygunner” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/war-stories-bill-the-tommygunner/.
War Stories: Bill the Tommygunner
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
My Dad (14th Air Force in China) was issued a Thompson. Dad was a quail hunter, had never fired. Rifle in his life. In basic he struggled to even qualify with a Garand. With the Thompson however the “range” was a field you walked through with pop up targets-snap shooting. Dad was the best wing shot I’ve ever seen, and on the Thompson range he easily made Expert. Dad liked to shoot the Thompson but hated toting it around. In China they were required to have a weapon with them all the time. Dad wound up salvaging a 1911 that was written off in a crash and carried it daily for the last 16 months he was in country.
Excellent and moving story. Dear author, thank you for writing. My great-uncle was also a WWII infantryman, landing with the 4th Inf. Div. on D-Day. In combat almost every day from June 6th until seriously wounded in mid-August, 1944. He walked with a pronounced limp, and lived with a left arm that was never again 100% for the rest of his life. As a rifleman when I was in the service, I was interested in his wartime experiences. He told me many stories. I don’t remember him mentioning a .45 Thompson, but he spoke often of his M1 rifle.
Great story. Young men committed to saving America from forces attempting to rule the world. Young men willing to do what had to be done, many times without thanks. I often wonder if that spirit remains in many young people or if they would pass to celebrate Pride month. I hope our young men and women appreciate what this country offers to everyone.