Folks Of Interest The Greatest Generation...fading fast.

Although my Dad was a combat veteran that served in the Asiatic-Pacific and was my true hero,......... The more I got to know about Hank Negley, The more I got to respect and appreciate him. Hank built his 1932 Highboy Roadster in 1939,... and was deeply involved in the early days of SCTA clubs.

Hank was running his only means of transportation every day, and then out to the dry lakes on the weekend. Like many other young men of the time, The world stood still on 7 Dec. 1941, Hank herd the call of duty and joined the Merchant Marines where he served for the duration (Dad came home on a crippled Merchant Marine ship) Of the War.

Hank was a Hot Rod, Gear head kid and Balboa dancer, When he got back home, He packed up his best suit, Fired up his old Hot Rod that had been waiting patiently for him in a garage in So.Cal. And started out on a trip from So. Cal. to Minnesota, Where he would put on that suit and propose marriage to his Sweetheart.....

Returning to California, He got a job in the Courts, where he worked his way up to chief clerk,.. Where he worked all his life, supporting his wife and children, until he retired.... We lost Hank a number of years ago.... But My Dad, Hank and many other men like them personify "The Greatest Generation".

(The Roadster was Hanks only means of transportation from 1939 when he finished it, until 1963 When He , his wife and there three children almost got rear ended by a careless driver,... feeling the pull of responsibility overtake his love for his old Hot Rod, Sold the Deuce and bought a brand new 1963 Valiant,.... While driving somewhere, His Daughter Paula looked at her Daddy with big sad eyes and said,.... "I liked the other car better",... Hank looked back at his beloved daughter and said with the same sad eyes,... So do I.......)

A big Thank You to the Greatest Generation !

(This is Hank in Minnesota with his Roadster, sporting a pretty snappy suit, trying to put war behind him, and start a new life, asking his sweetheart to be his wife)



1939 In it first configuration, with wire wheels and stock hood sides, And a very special mixed deep Purple/Blue paint job,..... In later years a young man started hanging around Hank and his beautiful purple roadster, Wanting one just like it. As the young man found a suitable project Hank helped Joe Nitti build his dream car, which was inspired by Hanks Roadster.

 

My grandfather passed this year. He was WWII Army vet, a medic who went ashore the day after D-day. He was only in Europe for a short time but saved many lives and even volunteered to go find a guy who got lost on a patrol. He found him laying wounded in a hedgerow and dragged him back from behind German positions. He actually found himself surrounded several times, and through his wits was able to escape. He was wounded several times, the second from a shell exploding close by that took enough off the back of his leg he was sent to the hospital then back to the states. He was a great guy. Unlike most vets it seems, he loved to tell stories of his time spent serving. It was the highlight of his life, a big adventure to him. He earned a purple heart and bronze star, and displayed them prominently in his home.

My other Grandfather was a Marine sergeant who served in WWII and Korea. He was a hot rodder when he was young, and had a 36 Ford 3w with a hot flathead in it in the 40s. After the war he worked for his father in a garage and eventually took over, and ran the place until the early 80s. He was active in the American Legion and served as post commander and was elected NY state commander.

I had many great uncles who served also, one as a gunner in the RAF flying in a Bristol, and a great grandfather who lied about his age to get into the cavalry in WWI was young enough to serve in the British Army as an artillery instructor.

I think about times spent with them when they were around and how it is now without them, and it definitely was better then. Hard to say how it feels other than a bit lonely? Like so many have said, those type of guys are leaving us quickly, and they aren't making them like that anymore.

 

They sure as hell don't.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM - LEST WE FORGET

Awesome thread fellas !!

 

I have the WW2 cruisebook from the Intrepid (pretty rare). Packed full of pictures. Not many crewmen names but photos by departments of all the men. Also action photos showing the kamakazi hits, burials at sea etc.

When the explosion wounded my dad a motion picture camera was filming from behind and shows the whole thing ... it is commonly shown on a lot of documentaries ... sends chills up my back seeing my dad on the gun then the explosion of him getting hit.

I got a lot of memorabilia of that ship that I have collected over the years.

 

I have many fond memories on my uncle who was a machinist. A very humble man yet strong. He loved his wife (my aunt) and his life revolved around her.

When he passed, it was an amazing tribute to a man who I knew fought in WWII but to what extent no idea..... It was then, when his medals where on him, I realized he was something special. Not only a great person, husband, and uncle. I was told by an old guy, sitting on a folding chair, that he and my uncle held off a large wave of soldiers in a fox hole. I had no idea. But you could see it in his eyes he ment business.... I am glad I spent time with my Uncle Mitch.

At work, I am glad for the union benefits I have enjoyed, and what my forefathers fought for. My kids enjoyed a good life growing up.... The old Guard they where called. They still attend union meetings as retirees. I enjoy talkin to them. Sometimes this is the only time they get out.

Some argue, they sucked the money out of the economy. Who elese could build a house in 1967 for $17000 and sell it in 1995 for $180,000. I know I wont be able to. But yet I don't work for $3.00 and hour, wondering how I am gonna make that house payment.......

All in all. I am thankfull. I love watchin Mash. I love watchin Leave it to Beaver..... It was a more innocent time. I am thankfull for what the greatest generation handed down. Atleast whats left of it. I always make it a point to Shake a vets hand and say thanks......

My grandma is 101 yrs old right now. I understand she was a riveter.

 

Good story!---Here's a little more, 2 years ago I contacted Hanks daughter Paula, emailed her a pix of my roadster, & the one I posted on the HAMB of her dad running at the lakes, she liked my color, said it reminded her of her dads.
My good friend Dick Scritchfield's wife(Marian) was working in the L.A. court system at the same time as Hank was & became good friends, because of talking about roadsters & lakes events.
Marian later became Chief Clerk & retired at that position & her & Scritch moved to Hawaii where she died in 2001 after a lengthy illness.

Here's the pix again, along with Nitti's roadster,-----Don

 

Some more!

 

Hey Don, Here's another picture of Hanks Roadster at the Continental Divide on that trip east....


Yep,.... Greatest generation, without question.

 

Fellas, I could literally write a book, on all the great men that influenced my mechanical life. For purposes of time and space I will not go too in depth, but I simply must mention this handful.

Obviously my Pops, whom was not afraid to tackle any problem, with the help of his trusty Mechanix Illustrated magazines.

His brother-in-law, my Uncle Jerry. Mom's baby brother. Joined the Navy at end of WWII, lied about his age, served on the USS Coral Sea(CV-43). One of the founding members, of The North Florida Roadster Club (circa:1951) One Hellava dirt track racer, fabricator and welder.

Euclid High School Auto Shop teachers Mr. Ray Montani and Mr. Goebel, whom always stressed "do the job right or don't do it at all ! "

And Finally, Alex Job of Alex Job Racing. Helped transform me from street car mechanic to race technician. Ya' don't win multiple Championships, like LeMans and Sebring, by cutting corners and doing things half ass. Recently wrote him a letter to basically thank him for putting up with all my bullshit.

OK, that's all I got. Thanks again for all the posts.
JT

 

The greatest generation is a title they deserve...but I'll tell you it was a lot easier to be great back then. You didn't have the media questioning every move anyone made. You didn't have the media sticking up for the enemy. In fact, you could even identify the enemy back then...now we're told there is no enemy and there is no more right or wrong.

Can you believe we now have to refer to the enemy as 'radical Islamists'? Can you imagine how WWII would have gone if they referred to the enemy as 'radical Nazi extremists' or 'radical Asian combatants'?

 

Here is a great little sight with some fantastic mood music for this thread,..... Enjoy guys !

http://www.6thcorpsmusic.us/

 

RE.The abandoned Nissan.Could it have been at Dutch Harbor?
My Father served in WW1 in the trenches.The day that the armistes was signed was very special to him.His birthday was 11-11-1896.Lost him in September 1994.Thanks for a wonderful thread.The greatest generation.God bless them one and all.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

We need to remember all the veterans of WW1,WW2,Korea, Viet Nam and current for all they've done, the WW1 guys are pretty much all gone, and a LOT of the WW2 guys are passing fast now days too, I have had the Honor to meet many WW2 veterans via my line of leather flying unit patch art work , and I am glad to be able to have been part of their "experiences" via my patch work, knowing that I made something for a person who was "There" , my utmost Thanks to all who have served and are serving !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's what I do
http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/EMBLEMHUNTER/library/Patches

Johnny

 

My Uncle Frank served in the US Navy from 1943-1945 during WWII as a Sea bee. Frank will be 90 years young next month. He was only a kid during the war, do the math. My uncle was in the South Pacific theater during that time. My dad, uncles and other relative that served during WWII are no longer with us. My Uncle Frank is the only one alive. God Bless all the GI's that served during the War.

 

I just saw my dad in the nursing home tonight...he's nearing the end...will be 91 in 48 hours...landed in Normandy & fought in the Battle of the Bulge. There will never be a generation to equal that one, that's for sure.

 

God bless him, and tell him thanks for our freedom.

Prayers sent

 

I was raised by my grandfather, he was born in 1933 and was the youngest of 7 brothers and sisters. In his family there was a tradition...when you were old enough you joined The Corps...served your time...then did whatever it was with the rest of your life...he was 4F. Blind as a bat and was barely over 5ft tall. He became a barber and made a living for more than 40 years in Dallas. That man, I swear, knew everything about everything...He loved cutting hair and talking to people, but more than anything he loved his country and instilled that into me...I saw a post earlier where someone said "I'm sorry my generation doesn't give a fuck"....I have nothing to add to that except...I am too. Through extenuating circumstances I wasn't able to serve either...but I am thankful to everyone who defended/defends all the freedoms people take for granted every second of every day. You all are owed a dept that, unfortunately, will never...can never be repaid...and if I'd earned the right...the honor...for what its worth...I'd salute each and every person.

 

My dad wanted to fly in WWII but because of his experiance with engines he was put in an armored division keeping the tanks and trucks running. If he could get a spark, and gas to the carb he could make it run. He never talked about the fighting,only about drinking and partying. I took a lot of his Knowledge for granted and now I know I shoud have asked more questions when I could.

 

probably has a lot to do that a high percentage of them smoked also. seems to me that even in my navy time just about everyone smoked. But with every generation the percentage has dropped off. I had the pleasure of working with a lot of WW2 vets and have to say that they were some of the few people that recognized me and other Nam vets as equal brothers. Unlike most of the nation they didn't turn their back on us.

 

Had a feeling this was coming, but my close friend Eric informed me, that Mr. Richard Messerschmidt passed away on Saturday. Hospital was keeping him in A coma to relieve the pain, from the tragic motorcycle crash. (mentioned in opening post)
He will be missed, from our little group. Yes, he had a fancy home with a few Ferrari's, an AC Cobra, a huge showcase with a scale model collection that would blow your mind... but completely down to earth and always an extra cold beer in the fridge, for whomever may stop by and more cool stories than anyone can imagine.
Seipkans Bar, in Elkhart Lake WI, is THE drinking place for all the racers and crew at Road America. Was just up there last week and I just know his spirit was sitting at the bar with us. He loved that place, had his autograph on the ceiling alongside hundreds of others.
So Fellas, as I stated in the beginning don't wait till it's too late.

JT

 

Korean War vets deserve as much respect and honor as as those who served in WWII or any war since or before for that matter.
My Dad, a WWII paratrooper (Market Garden and The Bulge) and career Army officer, held ALL military service in high esteem. He once pointed out to me that not all the Greatest Generation was so great just as not all the current Generation is so bad either.
Once, when asked to recount his most moving moment from WWII, he told a story of a village in Belgium where the civilians were evacuating through the US lines in fear of the coming German advance. In the crowd bustling down the cold and muddy road was an old woman pushing a crude wooden wheelbarrow with a few bundles and her aged husband on it. As they made their way past he, a nineteen year old farm boy from Greenville PA, NOTICED in her face both a fear of the future and a grim determination to handle it with dignity and pride. That was what he remembered most, not the fear and savory of combat and artillery barrages, but the spirit of humanity that old woman's dirty and wrinkled face.

He died on Jan 31, 2013 at the age of 87. I had the honor of being at his side in hospice while he prepared to leave us.

 

what a great thread,captivated and interested by all these stories,have to admit had very little interest in ww2 untill 4/5 yrs ago.us brits go on the euro nats road trip every year,10 or eleven countries in europe,each one takes a turn to do the show,comes round to france,we do the show,(we allways stay for another week) and do the sites,we deciced to to as much ww2 stuff as poss.did all the beaches,all the cemetrys,all the museums,all the stuff in fields where it was left,this is pretty heart wrenching stuff,what theyd seen and done,how it all unfolded,now we left omaha beach till last,to get to the top of beach/cliff we went via the american cemetry,dont know if any of any of you guys have been there,entry is via the museum,all i can say is im glad we left a day for this,so much to take in.the museum must be the the most humbling place ive ever set foot in,the cni film,the artifacs,the names of the fallen read out 24 hrs a day,spent 5 hrs totally captivated,what i hadnt bargined was the shock of what i was about to see,the cemetry.stopped me in my tracks,couldnt help myself the tears just fell out,10.500 imaculatley kept headstones and grounds,2.500 names of missing.just wandered through,reading,looking at pics left by families,looking down onto the beaches,wondering how the hell did they get up to the top and survive to get home,i been lucky enough to talk to a couple of brit vets,make the most of the guys that are left and hold what stories they tell dear to your heart.ive been back since,also planning to go back for the 70th anv.even hopeing to meet and listen to some vets,i for one am grateful for the usa getting involved and leaving us the legacey we have today in the uk,phil.

 

The story of the greatest generation is more than just the Second World War because before that, they suffered through the great depression, suffered through the war (whether you were overseas or home), and then they went on to make the United States of America the greatest it ever was or ever will be.
That is why they are the greatest generation and I am proud to be able to say that my parents, uncles and aunts were of that great generation.

 

Good on ya! Women are like sparkplugs, only easier to replace. You won't have but one dad. Enjoy him while you can. Best regards, Allan

 

I'm glad you posted this. My uncle landed on Utah Beach. I haven't seen him for a while but he lives only a couple hours away in Canton, Massachusetts. I'm going to make a trip down to see him . Thanks for the reminder.

 

My Dad passed away about three years ago. B-17 and DeHavilland Mosquito pilot during WWII.
He could make models out of wood like no one else. And just a straight-arrow, reasonable man, great father. Crazy about airplanes, especially old ones.
Always wanted to get his life on digital recorder, never did. Something always more important? NO!
I just didn't do it.
If your Dad is still alive, get that info down right out of his mouth. No " I think he said.."

 

Great thread, SO true! These folks are disappearing too fast! My grandfather, dad's father, was a gunner's mate in the Navy in WWII. Served on a tanker (floating gas station a.k.a. giant bomb) in the south Pacific. Was also an armed guard in the Atlantic. Fortunately he's still with us and in pretty decent shape at almost 90, and while we do talk, and see each other, its not often enough. He still has the hat he was wearing one night in the Atlantic when a German wolfpack torpedoed and sunk the ship in front of, and the one behind his, in the convoy. He figured they were next, but for some reason weren't. The hat is stained black from the shrapnel that fell down on top of him and his ship. He's still got a couple small pieces of said shrapnel that he kept. He has told me "don't let anyone tell you water can't catch fire." His ship, the U.S.S Kishwakee, was credited with shooting down 2 or 3 kamikazees in the Pacific. He went through 6 typhoons. He'll tell you the storms pitched the ship so bad you could stand at the base of a ladder and just step left-right in place, and run right up the ladder. He was born in 1923 and said as soon as they found out about Pearl Harbor, they signed up. Went in in 1942 and served for the duration. He grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and his mother was a bootlegger during the depression. They were/are Sicilians and his mother bought an old Cadillac off of some character for its hidden compartments to hide the booze she was moving. Used to take him and his brothers with her to lessen suspicion. Years later, she sold it to a mechanic who wanted to turn it into a tow truck. When he started to cut it up to make said tow truck, he found it had been armored by whoever she got it from. Crazy. She passed away in the 1970s or early 1980s and was apparently QUITE a piece of work.

I'm glad someone mentioned the greatest generation is more than just WWII, although they're certainly a big part of it.

My grandmother, mom's mother, just passed away last night. Two and half weeks shy of her 103rd birthday. She was 100% mentally with it just until last few days/weeks really. Was able to walk and take care of herself until just the last 6 months. She was born in 1910 on a farm in southern West Virginia. They were farmers full-time until she was 15 when her father sold it all and moved the family to the "city" of Roanoke, VA. He had 5 daughters and figured they'd have a better chance of getting married in the city.

She remembered when the boys from her town in West Virginia left for WWI. Said the whole town came out to see the train off. She remembered when her father bought their first car, a Nash Touring Car. Not their first new car...their first car since cars had been invented. They still used the horses more than the car though. She was driving it at like 14 or something. Drank black coffee daily since she was elementary school aged. She was born in the front yard of their house on the farm. Her mother picked her up and carried her inside. Another woman had come to stay/help in expectation of the baby. Her mother told this woman she'd have to cut the umbilical cord. The woman freaked out and said she couldn't do it. My grandmother's mother, having just given birth outdoors to my grandmother, said "fine, hand me my sewing scissors, I'll do it myself." Thats how my grandmother came into the world. She knew folks who were older adults in the 19teens and 1920s when she was a younger kid who had themselves been slaves when they were young. I was able to know and talk to someone in my lifetime who knew and spoke to folks that lived during and experienced slavery. It all does, but that fact alone blows my mind. She inherited a 1963 Chevy Bel Air 4 door 6 cylinder from another relative about 5-10 years ago. She drove it in her 90s to the grocery store and on errands. She knew I liked it and had for years been telling me she was going to give it to me. I finally was able to bring it home this past winter. Drove it 200 miles home with 0 issues after it had been sitting for (aside from being started off and on, and maybe 1-2 trips to the shop) in at least 3-4 years, maybe more. Its all original, aside from tires, a crappy repaint in the original color, and the tune up stuff. Its got one maybe football sized dent on passenger front quarter but aside from that, straight as an arrow. Little to no real rust. All original glass from what I can tell, no cracks. I've been into old cars since at least high school (31 now) but never had money or enough balls to take the plunge, let alone a place to keep one. I know its a 4 door, and needs a real paint job, but it runs good and is an awesome cruiser. I drive it weekly. I've subsequently also added a 1953 Chevy 3600 to the fleet...although that one unfortunately isn't currently running. Close though, but thats another thread.

My father is a car guy since the mid 60s. He's still got his 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible that he got as a fixer upper in like 1965ish, a 4 door sedan parts car of the same year, and a 1965 Pontiac Tempest convertible that he bought when he came home from Vietnam in about 1969-70. However, they've all been parked and tarped my entire life. Bel Air needs total frame off. Pontiac isn't as bad, but still a project for sure. His problem is not skill, but unfortunately, motivation. Point is, because of this grandmother who just passed, I was able to start my own fleet and am forever thankful. Although she was I guess technically a generation ahead of the "greatest generation", she was just as great as the rest of them. If you ballpark "modern" American history as starting in 1600 (Jamestown founded 1607. First permanent English settlement in the new world. I know I know, many here are west coast and have earlier spanish stuff around them), my grandmother basically witnessed one quarter of American history. She very much valued family history, old stuff, and the old ways of life. That's enough of the greatest generation for me.

Thanks for starting this thread and reading my ramble. SO cool to know more people out there enjoy and value old stuff, old folks, and the stuff they did for us. I'm so ashamed and disappointed in my own generation for not valuing and giving more of a shit about this stuff...at least the ones I seem to see. I hope to meet more folks that prove me wrong.

 

They weren't just the greatest generation they also were the coolest generation. They had a serious case of big balls after returning from risking their lives day after day. I think the hot rods created after the war are the best looking by far and look at all they did for racing. Pretty much any form of racing now days has a lot to do with them after they came home. They were looking for an adrenalin fix to match what they were used to from fighting and winning a fight to the death. Unfortunately telling any of them to stop racing cause it's "dangerous" will get you a funny look at best, more likely a shake of the head and a mumble of "pussy" under their breath.

 

My Dad, born 1913, was part of that generation. He was not a car guy in the sense we are, he liked cars, but any attempt to modify a car for more performance was a waste of time and money. He liked his cars simple, he ordered new, three cars between 1955 and 1964 that had no power steering or brakes, a manual trans and radio delete. Then he finally, after a lifetime of waiting and frugal living got his dream car; a Cadillac coupe deVille, his pride and joy. He was born into a house without indoor plumbing, wood heat, and horses in the barn. One of his earliest memories was of his father, my grandfather, hitching up the horses and driving a wagon into town. His families first car was a used '17 T that meant they could got to their favorite fishing lake and get there before dark. My mother recently asked me to he her clean out her garage and we found a box containing my Dads writings from when he took a writing course after retirement. She was ready to throw it out so I took it home. It's a good thing I did, deep in the box was all my Dads military records and his personal account of his time in the Army during WWII. He went from Private to Major in five years, the last three promotions were field promotions. He served in Europe in England, Belgium, Germany, France, and North Africa, before being put on a ship and sailed the long was 'round the world to Okinawa till Japan surrendered. While in England he met my Mother, they got engaged, and she came stateside after the war. My Dad never talked of the war or what he had seen or had to do but there was lot of it in his writings. I certainly wish I had known what I know now before he died in1995. There was a strong feeling of pride in the U.S. among that generation, and personal pride to do the right thing and be honorable and to be a responsible man. Because of the Depression, my Dad graduated from high school in 1931, you had to grow up and be a contributing family member as soon as you could. My Dad had to leave home and work in several locations in Michigan as soon as he left school and while getting himself a college education. My Dad foresaw the current condition of the U.S 30 years ago and I'm kind of relieved he's not here to see how we have slipped. It's truly a shame, and not much of a thank you for the men and women of The Greatest Generation.