Another great veteran lost

Over the weekend, my Uncle Joe passed away at the age of 97.  He was the last in my family of "The Greatest Generation".

He was also a veteran of WWII, a S/Sgt in the 632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion that saw action in New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon.

He's the fellow in the T-shirt.  Always sported a smile and had a new joke on the tip of his tongue.


Online sources said his Battalion mainly used M10's, but the picture shows what is possibly a halftrack.  This photo may have been taken in Australia where they trained and were refitted with the M10.   If anyone knows this actual vehicle type, I'd appreciate the info.

Thanks,
Mike

my sympathy to you and your family, a great loss

the vehicle is a M8 armoured car......a 6 wheel drive

Thank you Paul, I appreciate that info.

Sad to hear Mike but at least he had a long life.

The world owes SO much to his generation. May he rest in peace.

A long life that experienced 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Thanks, Al.

Sounds like it was a good life. I'll bet he had stories to tell. Condolences to the family and friends

He was a lucky man, and you were lucky to have him as an uncle for so many years. As the old WWII song went, "BLESS 'EM ALL!"

Your uncle was part of a generation that saved the world. You have my sympathy. He had such a long and eventful life.

There aren't many true hero's left now, condolences to you and yours.

Mike, my condolences to you & your family. A life well lived. Do you know where in New Guinea & Australia he was stationed?

I spent 7 years of my childhood in PNG and there were huge American camps a 10 minute drive from my home (which is on a former WW II airfield) here in Australia.

webby wrote:

Do you know where in New Guinea & Australia he was stationed?

I spent 7 years of my childhood in PNG and there were huge American camps a 10 minute drive from my home (which is on a former WW II airfield) here in Australia.

His Battalion (632nd) notes show the following stops:

Australia (various training)

Camp Sandy Creek - 20 miles from Adelaide near Gawler, SA

Camp Mangalore - Victoria

Camp Tambouring - Queensland

Camp Strathpine - Petrie, Queensland

Tweed Heads - New South Wales

Camp Bunanda - Nelson’s Bay, New South Wales

New Guinea (action)

Goodenough Island

Beach Defense near Aitape

Saidor, Plantations and Airport

Bingo! I live at Strathpine! Here's some links that might interest.

I've found a couple of .50 cartridges in my front yard too.

http://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/campstrathpine.htm

http://www.ww2places.qld.gov.au/places/?id=474

Mike: My condolences on the loss of your uncle. He and all the young men and women who put their lives on hold to go to war against total evil are, each and every one, genuine heros. The world will be a poorer place when they all are gone.

Thanks , Chris for the info. It's far out to think my uncle from Chicago may have marched through your front yard down under.

And thank you everyone for your condolences.

Condolences to you and your family. Nice picture, you should build a model of a M8 to replicate the picture.

Hi Mike,

My condolences to you and your family Sir...

Andy...