1 Chronicles

March 22, 2024

March 22, 1944 – Rest camp, replacements, and those amazing LSTs

March 22 Late in March, some units of the 3rd Infantry Division began to come out of the line after more than 60 consecutive days of […]
March 21, 2024

March 21, 1944 – Bombing brings new suffering to Anzio hospital but swimming and baseball continues

Every square inch of Anzio was constantly under bombardment, including the hospital and operating rooms. One headline stated, “Debris is cleared away after an attack on […]
March 20, 2024

March 20, 1944 – On Anzio a beachhead order to the men to wear steel hats or pay fine

AP correspondent, Richard G. Massock, observed, “Germans are being killed on the Anzio beachhead by “some pretty grim looking characters.”[1]
March 20, 2024

A recording of my WWII presentation at the LSU Military Museum

This presentation, “At First Light: How a Teenager Became a WWII Hero” was delivered at the William A. Brookshire LSU Military Museum in October 2023 as […]
March 19, 2024

March 19, 1944 – Not a single spot on Anzio Beachhead is safe from enemy gunfire

Journalist George Tucker wrote, “To appreciate Anzio it is necessary to remember that the beachhead is shaped like a fan, the handle of which is a […]
March 18, 2024

March 18, 1944 – To seize a beachhead like Anzio was one thing—to hold it indefinitely was another

The miserly affection with which the limited ground on the Anzio, Italy beachhead was coveted is shown by the fact that during March the 3rd Infantry […]
March 17, 2024

March 17, 1944 – Dad’s first medal of valor caused Mount Vesuvius to blow her top

Well, not really. But the two events occurred in close proximity to each other. Phil’s first medal of valor was the Silver Star the Army’s third […]
March 16, 2024

March 16, 1944 – Baptism by fire (Part 2)

“No soldier in any of our theaters of operations is better acquainted with this war than is the Infantryman, and no Infantryman knows war more intimately […]
November 30, 2020

Success

The God of heaven will give us success. … Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
December 1, 2020

Fear

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid. … So don’t be afraid.
January 9, 2021

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them […]
February 7, 2021

He holds success in store for the upright

Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses … As long as he sought the […]
February 12, 2021

All the holy ones are in your hand

“Can I not do with you … as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in […]
February 25, 2021

Be at peace with each other

I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. … Turn from evil and do good; seek peace […]