WWII experiences in Italy, France and Germany. War time memories of my father and US Army memorabilia

"Thunderbird troops were on the last lap of the long road to Rome when the 45th landed on the tiny strip of beach that was to become the hell of Anzio. Four months later, after incessant shelling, constant air raids and unflagging tension, 45th Div. doughs stormed from their foxholes to smash the iron ring which crack German troops had clamped on them from January to May, 1944. They moved forward in daylight for the first time since the initial landing." (Excerpt from The Story of the 45th Infantry Division, a publication of the Information and Education Division and issued to troops in 1945.)

At the end of World War II my dad, Bernie L. Stokes, returned from his life as a soldier in Europe to his life as a carpenter. My dad, Sgt. Bernie Stokes

He married my mom, raised a family and died in 2001 at the age of 87. Shortly before he died I sat down with him, tape recorder running, and listened as he talked of his war-time experiences. These are his stories and some memorabilia from that time in his life. I wish I had talked with him more. But I'm sure he had stories in his heart that he would never tell - stories buried deep to smother the memory.

He was an artillery man with 45th Infantry "Thunderbirds". As a unit the Thunderbirds during WWII fought 511 days, captured 126,000 prisoners at a cost of 28,000 casualties. They were credited with eight campaigns from four amphibious landings. Eight Thunderbirds were awarded the Medal of Honor. WWII memorabilia

This web site is dedicated to my dad and the men and women of his generation who fought and died in WWII, and their friends and loved ones who supported them at home.

Rick Stokes

January, 1944...