Good morning,

This week we are delighted to feature a great story from one of our readers Dr Chad Searcey, who sent in details of his Grandpa that has never been shared before. We also have the weeks news and usual features but first…

On this day in 2003

On this day 20 years ago the Ground invasion started in Iraq, and so for me this is always a reflective period having participated in this campaign from this date.

I was in Kuwait and remember driving past thousands of vehicles all lined up 2 weeks before this date, waiting for the order to drive into Iraq. It was a sight I will never forget, with an officer telling us, “If any of you think the war will not happen then you are fools, these vehicles aren’t here on the chance there MIGHT be a war”.

He was obviously right. What memories have you got? Please share and I will post in next weeks newsletter.

In todays newsletter we honor…

Russell E. Searcey

Master Sergeant served from November 1942 to November 1945, he helped liberate the Nordhausen Concentration Camp and we have been exclusively sent his photos and interview script. A huge thank you to his Grandson, Dr. Chad Searcey, who shared this incredible story with us.

Below are some extracts with the full story available to read on our website. ⬇️

How were you treated by local people, and how did that affect your feelings about your service? In France, Belgium and Holland we were treated like brothers.

Then after we met the Russians, as we were in Germany, those Germans were very friendly. After visiting a concentration camp, I think the German army had all the civilians brainwashed as they didn’t seem to know what was going on. Maybe they were just playing dumb to try and save their butts to keep them from being disciplined by our soldiers.

What were your living conditions, like during your tours of duty? 

While in wooden barracks we had no sheets, just mattress covers pillows and blankets. Showers, good food and recreation picture shoes. Beer from the PX then a Hollywood movies.

While in the desert a folding bed, and now and then a snake crawling on the floor. A lot of rations. Also some nice hot food frequently. Overseas sleeping where ever you could. Bombed out buildings on the ground. Now and then a home not bombed. Maybe a nice bed with mattress few baths. Shave maybe once a week clean clothes if you could find time and water to wash them. Not too bad once you got used to it.

Please share the combat experience that you’ve had.

Once the company commander told me to get a couple of other fellows to pick up three dead Germans that were in our area and take them back to graves registration. One was in a foxhole.

We found long rope tied it to him and pulled out the Germans were known to be booby trapped their own dead, another was in bed and stunk so picked him up by lifting him in the blanket. Put the three of them in a trailer behind a jeep and went back to graves registration kind of stunk. Back. I don’t see how those guys could stand all that blood and other things etc.

If you want to read more including “What was the most heroic act you witnessed” including more photos and descriptions of the concentration camp liberation, then head over to our website and click the link.

Remembering a 100 year old WWII Marine

This is Cpl Roland Scarinci who celebrated his 100th birthday last month.

Scarinci enlisted in the Marine Corps on Dec. 14, 1942. He was stationed at Marine Barracks Washington 8th & I, and later deployed to the Pacific Theater with 1st Marine Division, during which Scarinci engaged with the enemy for 81 of the 82-day-long Battle of Okinawa in April-May 1945. Later, he participated in actions of the occupations of China. Scarinci served the Marine Corps and nation honorably during WWII for four years and was discharged Feb. 19, 1946

Source: Warchronicle Facebook Group

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From our YouTube Channel

Check out our YouTube Channel which tells the story of the great Norman Schwarzkopf.

In the news this week

So each week I share news stories that I found interesting and I hope you do to.

• Coast Guard to Award Purple Hearts for 2 Killed in World War I U-Boat Attack 

• Russian plane crashes into US drone footage.

Did you know?

The US Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was made up mostly of Japanese Americans, and is one of the most decorated units in US military history.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team, despite its relatively small size, the unit, along with the 100th Infantry Battalion, earned an impressive number of honors in less than two years, including over 4,000 Purple Hearts and 4,000 Bronze Star Medals. The unit was also awarded seven Presidential Unit Citations, five of which were earned in a single month between 1944 and 1946. Additionally, 21 of the unit's members received the Medal of Honor. In recognition of their service during World War II, Congress approved the granting of the Congressional Gold Medal to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and associated units in 2010.

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If you have any comments or feedback, just respond to this email! Would love to know your thoughts or stories that you wish to share.

Have a great week and speak soon,

Rob 🫡