Grandfather served 31 years in the Navy, very end/aftermath of WWII (flew in TBD dive bombers), Korea, and Vietnam with various billets. Saw some combat with the Marine grunts at Da Nang.
Is he still alive?
Yes he is. He's in his mid-late 80's and still going strong.
X2.....And I have lots of respect for your years of'' battling the iron'' and, warring with the weights!''
You should try to get him on a flight! It's an awesome opportunity! Remember it's FREE for the vet.!http://www.honorflight.org/programs/http://www.honorflight.org/tour/
He wouldn't do it. He's a different kind of man. He doesn't really talk about the wars and he has had no desire to relive any part of them (his own words). Going so far as to change the channel any time a serious war movie is on. We took a trip to DC when I was a kid and visited all the Smithsonians and Memorials, it was fun. But he never really seemed to be one of those guys that got anything out of the memorial.Then again, he never really showed much emotion, period, that I can remember.
He may know something that is or he thinks is still classified...or he saw/experienced something very disturbing...Same with my dad.