My father, Clayton Tuggle, passed away this Saturday. He was the most decent man I ever met. My brother and I, who knew nothing of war except for what we saw on TV and in the movies, never could figure out why he wouldn’t talk about his experiences in the Navy in WWII. 50 years after he hung up his sailor’s cap, he went on a local talk radio station and took questions for two hours. Then he gave me and my brother a handwritten account of the Battle of Okinawa, which I transcripted. G.P. Cox of Pacific Paratrooper kindly posted my Dad’s story on his excellent WWII blog. Please read this, and remember our WWII veterans. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this and my sincerest sympathies for your loss. My grandfather was in the Navy during WWII and served in the Pacific. He was just as quiet about his experiences there as was your father. He helps define my personal expectations for the way we all should live – respect, courtesy, dignity, willingness to accept and overcome challenge without complaint, a wonderful sense of humor and open, optimistic, warm in his connections with others. My Very Best Wishes to you and your family.
Thank you very much.
Sending you peace and knowing that memories of love will see you through. Thanking your father for his service. <3
I appreciate the kind thoughts.
Love and peace to you and your family. 🙏
Great to hear from you. Thank you.
I hope you will venture back over to my site tomorrow and see what fantastic comments have been written about your father and his generation! Thank you again for giving me the honor of posting this story.
G P,
I am in your debt.
And I feel the same about you giving me the honor of having your father’s story!
So sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing in honor of your dad. My dad was in the Navy during WWII and never spoke a word about it either. He died at the age of 38 and I have far too few memories of our times together other than early childhood.
Bette,
I am reminded how fortunate I was to have known him as long as I did. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
I’m so sad for you that you lost your father. He was a great man. I’ll be reading his story, and you are generous to share it with us. Thank you.
That means so much to me. Thank you.
Sending my condolences Mike.
KE Garland,
Thank you!
Sending much love to you, Mike.
MG Wells,
That means so much coming from you. A true friend! Thank you.
Love and peace to you and your family. My father served in the Pacific, too, with the US Army’s 81st Division on the island of Peleliu. He did not talk about it until shortly before his death in 1997.
kph52013,
We have no idea what they endured for us. I deeply appreciate your comments.
Peleliu was a vicious, horrendous battle. God bless your father and all who served with him on that Island of hell. Semper Fidelis.
–Michael (US Marine combat rifleman, Vietnam War)
So sorry for your loss. Another great one from that generation not with us. RIP sir!
I have the deepest respect for your father. I was a Marine rifleman in the Vietnam War and experienced heavy combat up close and personal, including the TET Offensive of 1968. There was always a “healthy” ribbing/rivalry between the Marines and Navy personnell, but when push came to shove, we had each others backs. God bless your father, and may he finally rest in peace. Semper Fidelis!
–Michael
Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (Regiment), 3rd MarDiv.
Vietnam, 1967-68
E. Michael Helms,
My father mentioned the Marines on the Birmingham. He had nothing but respect for them. (Even though he wouldn’t play cards with them, in keeping with the promise he’d made to his mother!)
Sorry for your loss, Mike. Your father was a fine and honorable man.
You and your family have my deepest sympathies and condolences, Mike. I have, and had, military and war veterans in my family, as well. We who enjoy freedom today owe your father and all of those who sacrificed for us a debt that can never be repaid. I’m sure that your father is now in a place where there is no pain or grief, but only life eternal. Praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
bradsbooks,
Thank you. I’ve really been touched by the outpouring of support.
Those are stunning images in your father’s words. You honor him. I thank you.
DougInNC,
Thank you, Doug.
Wonderful, Mike. This is so important, and I’m glad you shared this with GP. Thank you! May we never forget. 🇺🇸
Jennie,
You’re right, we must do what we can to remind others what that generation endured. GP did a fine job with it, finding two other pictures to supplement the post.
Well said, Mike.
That was a harrowing story. I wonder what went through your father’s mind as he saw all his friends buried.
It saddened him greatly. But he did what he had to do.
Thank you for sharing your father’s story, Mike. May you and your family find comfort in the thought that your father finally found his eternal peace.
I am so sorry for your loss, Mike.
Thank you for sharing this awesome recollection.
So sorry to hear about your loss, Mike. Peace and love. My prayers go out to you and your family