•Part 2
"We are now in this war. We are all in it, all the way." ----- President Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 9, 1941
Perplexed at the dearth of knowledge about World War II, among a younger generation, I took it to heart earlier this year, embarking on a recap of Washington Parish World War II heroes. It was in 2016 that I embarked on my mission - for the World War II veterans were dying daily at a fast clip.
My first, official in-person interview with a World War II hero was with the venerable Hubert Mizell (1914-2017) who, in 2014 when I sat down with him at the home of his only child Shelia Anthaume in Lafayette, was 100 years old. How well I remember Mr. Hubert - a genuine cowboy. Staff Sergeant Hubert Mizell was part of the 105th Coast Artillery Battalion, an anti-aircraft artillery battalion attached to the 1st Infantry Division. The unit, activated on January 6, 1941, was a key part of Allied victories - Operation TORCH in North Africa, HUSKY in Sicily, and AVALANCHE in Italy. Mr. Hubert vividly recalled the liberation of Rome.
Then in 2015, I became quite attached to World War II POW Howard Byrd (1921-2016), another Purple Heart recipient and the father of Diane (Mrs. Doyle) Ball. To my knowledge, mine was the last interview he gave, courtesy of his grandson Grayson Ball. Drafted into the U. S. Army in 1943, Mr. Howard left New York harbor with the 35th Division, 134th Infantry, arriving in England on July 13, 1944. He was there one day before boarding a boat to cross the tumultuous English Channel. Disembarking on Omaha Beach, Mr. Howard's remembrance was of boats and bodies everywhere. He was wounded in action on August 8, 1944, and captured by the Germans on September 11, 1944, remaining a prisoner of war for eight months until he escaped and was liberated on May 3, 1945.
Tracking down World War II veterans, I covered Cavalryman James D. Pettitt (1923-2019), who exuded kindness. He was the husband of Irma Bond. In the Pacific Theater, he served with other locals including Louis Fussell, Lindsey Bulloch, Darryl Morgan, A. J. Thomas, Stanley Miller, Carl Jenkins, Lloyd Gay, Ellis Green, Rubel Seals, Alfred Jones, Denman Stafford, Lloyd Mulina, Jr., among others. Mr. James had poignant memories of India and Burma.
Then, I lucked into a visit with Keith Waddell (1924-2017), husband of Helen and a prince of a man. With the 320th Bomb Group in the 12th Air Force, the 1st Lieutenant flew missions in his B-26 in Northern Italy and continuing into Southern France where he was part of the invasion on August 15, 1944. Moving into Central France, Mr. Keith flew from there into Germany where the front had transitioned. During our visit, I quickly learned that the B-26 was one of the trickiest to fly - the key to safety was a tight formation. Flying sixty-two missions as first pilot and flight leader on the last ten or twelve, Mr. Keith reminded, "Safety is tight together."
I was intrigued that he did not want to ride an airplane home. Slow and safe, on a ship. Plus, like my father, he was hoping to avoid the South Pacific. A liaison pilot and Captain assigned to the 28th Field Artillery Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Dad also took a ship home, departing Le Havre, France, for the United States on June 30, 1945. Seventy-eight years later next month, our ship will dock there - where I shall try to picture my dad, a young U.S. Army man finally heading home.
Back to Mr. Keith, he generously offered his scrapbooks for me to take home. My reluctance was met with his insistence. I countered, "Mr. Keith, you might need them." He replied, "I won't need them where I'm going." So I took the valuable material with me, safeguarding it with my life until I, posthaste, returned it to him. Within, I saw atrocities for which there are no words. Horrific crimes against mankind, committed by the Nazis - not suitable for print.
As I mentioned in my column in June of 2016, after Keith Waddell, 1st Lt. USAF was released from combat status and transferred to a service unit flying C-47 Dakota transports, he refused to transport the Germans, on his plane, to the hospital. Operating without orders, Mr. Keith told me that he explained to the sergeant, "They were shooting at me and killing my friends yesterday."
After Mr. Keith, I met a nice Navy man - Seaman 1st Class Rodney Ball, sister of Marjorie and husband of Helen. He and I hit it off, from the start - the late Helen Ball was my kin and Mr. Rodney was most generous, sharing both precious produce and his heroic World War II experience. Serving on Liberty cargo ships in the Pacific theatre, he expertly manned the artillery, a twenty millimeter anti-aircraft gun.
Then came Captain Larry McGuire (1917-2016), husband of Claire, who affably met with me in 2016 shortly before his passing. His many medals and ribbons spilled out, onto the table. But Mr. Larry gave all the credit to his men. I was struck by his gratitude and humility, something the Greatest Generation exudes. He glimpsed the White Cliffs of Dover - a favorite 1942 tune of my mother's - as his anti-aircraft unit, part of the Ninth Army, departed England. There, Mr. Larry survived a submarine attack as they came into the English Channel. He served in France, Germany, and Belgium, where he also survived a German buzz bomb attack, before heading to the Philippines in 1944 where he continued his service.
Stay tuned for a future installment on more local World War II veterans.
