History

The Battle of Okinawa

37 Comments

Battle of Okinawa

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.

37 thoughts on “The Battle of Okinawa”

  1. 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.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  4. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  9. 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.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  11. 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

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. 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!)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.