James

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 […]
March 15, 2024

March 15, 1944 – Baptism by fire (Part 1)

“In every battle, the last one hundred yards of the fight belongs to the Infantry. Armed with rifle and bayonet, Infantrymen must face and defeat the […]
March 14, 2024

March 14, 1944 – Skirmishes increase on the Anzio front line

The countless stone houses of standard design lined the few roads across the Anzio beachhead. To the front of Dad’s units the stone farm houses were […]
October 10, 2019

The Lord … put them to the test

When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. … For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. … I have refined […]
October 18, 2019

Do not love the world or anything in the world

If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the […]
October 19, 2019

The world languishes and withers

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason […]
October 20, 2019

Give generously

She did what she could. … This poor widow has put in more than all the others. … They all gave out of their wealth; but […]
October 24, 2019

Father Abraham, have pity on me

Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.
October 28, 2019

Set your heart on seeking God

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.