Jerry's Story

Brunch Photos

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe two week have already gone by since the Brouillards and Joyals got together.

Jerry had a good day. It has become a 'peak' day. Albert is keeping everyone he can updated on all fronts.

What does Albert do when not sending emails or spending time posing for or taking pictures?

Inciting others to do so! :-)

Quick update

2012-01-25T06:19:00.000-05:00

The family thought that we were going to find out about the next steps for Jerry's treatment on Tuesday. The scans that were done last week however did not include the brain so the full assessment for next steps is still 2 weeks away.

The scans that were completed last week did not reveal any spread, so that in and of itself, is good news. Jerry has continued to loose weight and is fighting a bout of pneumonia so perhaps the 2 week wait will allow him time to recover and strengthen.

Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated!

STOP SOPA

2012-01-18T06:09:00.003-05:00

To support the STOP SOPA Blackout being conducted today, this will be the only post created here:

I have included the link to wikipedia but they are one of the sites reported to be going offline so you may not view this link today.

Google has a page with information and petition to sign here
https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

What would happen if this site got shut down?

Get Well Card

2012-01-15T16:58:00.000-05:00

Jerry got out from the rehab center to participate in the Brouillard Brunch today. He thoroughly enjoyed it and returned with an over-sized 'get well card' handcrafted by Cassidy (daughter of Heidi on the Brouillard side).

the cover of the card

the greetings on the inside

Jerry, says "Thank you for this card, it made my day!"

Lessons Learned

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

One of the lessons learned from the recent chapter in Jerry's story has been the importance of water, food and exercise.

1 - Fluids, water in particular, are important to the bodies overall health. Recall your science classes that the body is actually 98% water? There is a good reason for the fluid intake.

2 - Food, good healthy choices are the fuel for the body. You need energy to do what you do and get around. The energy comes from the food you eat.

3 - Exercise is important. You need to keep moving to stay healthy.

Jerry's Clan - Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T09:47:00.000-05:00

Jerry's clan gathered on Wednesday to celebrate our Christmas for 2011. A good time to get some family photos. We went outside to take advantage of the good lighting. It was brisk with a breeze so each family didn't stay long but we did get some good photos.

In order of eldest to youngest, the siblings lined up for their family pictures

Steve's group

Bob's group

Mike's group (missing Kathy)

Eileen's (missing Mike)

Joan's group (missing Frank)

Patti's group

And Jerry's 13 grandkids posing once

and twice

and airborne!

Jerry surrounded by his grandchildren

Jerry surrounded by his kids

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas and a health update

2011-12-25T07:26:00.001-05:00

An update on Jerry:

All went well with Jerry's last of the series of scheduled brain radiation treatments on Wednesday morning. The treatment was followed by a meeting with Dr. Hepel, the radiation oncologist.

Dr. Hepel was clearly surprised (in a good way!) how well Jerry has held up through the radiation treatments. He noted that, based on how Jerry was a few weeks ago, he couldn’t see Jerry tolerating anything more than the recent course of treatment. However, from the man who could hardly sit up… to now not arriving in a wheelchair, walking a few times a week, good appetite and eating well, minimal symptoms… he has bounced back much better than Dr. Hepel expected.

They will let Jerry have a couple of weeks to recover and enjoy the holidays. Then their tentative plan is to use radiation and low-dose chemo to treat Jerry’s lungs. Dr. Hepel says that he can see the two specific areas to treat in the lungs, and that they haven’t seen tumors outside the brain and lungs. He said that in a hopeful tone. He didn’t say it directly, but we can infer that radiation for the lungs is now a part of the lung treatment plan because he tolerated the brain radiation better than expected.

Enjoy the holidays!

Brouillard's Christmas (video)

2011-12-12T05:30:00.000-05:00

The Brouillard's extended family gathered for their annual Christmas party featuring a special appearance by Santa Claus.

Enjoy!

Lunch with Jerry And Pat

2011-12-11T11:37:00.001-05:00

Jerry attended the recent MARINE Birthday Ball. He was introduced to Placido "Pat" Femino a Combat Engineer with the 5thMARDIV.

Jerry said that he'd like to have lunch and spend some time with Pat. Thanks to Ed Malloy and Paul DiPalma that meeting came together yesterday.

I picked up Jerry and then drove over to North Providence and picked up Pat. Several choices were thrown out for lurch and we settled on Blackies on Rte. 116 in Smithfield.

Jerry and Pat were pretty happy to see each other. The initial meet and greet was emotional for an outsider. Two seemingly older Gentleman who have mellowed with age. The years were torn by back to a simpler time when life was defined in moments of survival in close combat. They gave each other the Warrior Abrazo.

The one thing I realized is that both of these guys have a keen sense of humor and you can quickly become the target of buffoonery by either.

Carl Weston stopped in and he quickly became a target of Pat. Carl had a previous engagement but sat in for a beer with these two Elder Statesmen of the MARINE CORPS veterans of RI. Before Carl left Pat engaged in alittle buffoonery at Carl's expense.   Carl and I will be chuckling over that one for some time.

Pat and Jerry spoke of there times in the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and of time spent on Iwo. Jerry and Pat both spent approx 37 days on Iwo and spoke of the only Banzai attack which took place on the Airfield at the end of the campaign. They spoke of Harry Kizirian another MARINE from Rhode Island. Both recounted meeting Harry Kizirian on different occaisions.

Pat travelled back to the US via aircraft and ended up at landing at Logan and then up to the Portsmouth Naval Yard. Jerry as you may know came back by troopship and across the USA by train. Ending up in Bainbridge, MD.

They spoke of the Bomb being dropped and the end of the War. Mustering out and their experiences with doctors and young 90 Day Wonders.  Most of the officers stateside had very little clue what these men had experienced.

Pat and Jerry both have six children. Three boys and three girls as they both said in stereo!

When we were leaving Blackies a young man approached them. He said," I want to thank you for your service. I saw your Jacket and just wanted to say thanks." Pat was wearing a windbreaker with the Flag Raisers embroidered on the back. Both Pat and Jerry had Iwo Covers on. Pat immediately introduced the young man to Jerry' "Please meet my friend Jerry who was also on on Iwo Jima."

The young man shook hands and reiterated his thanks to both MARINES. Pat said to Jerry; "Jerry this makes it all worth it doesn't it!" Jerry replied with a grin; "It sure does." I hesitate in putting this to words but the moment was defined by both Pat and Jerry getting quiet. Giving each other a knowing look... I have watched the interviews of vets like Dick Winters, Babe Heffron, and Bill Guarnere they get quiet when remembering things long ago. The jaw lines become taught and the eyes take a set. I've noticed it is a common occurrence. It will pass quickly and they move forward.

I don't care to describe anything else as it was a moment of reverence. We all moved to the vehicle and the talk moved to politicians and things typically Rhode Island.

Pat and Jerry

We were met back at Pat's home by his son Leon. Leon was introduced to Jerry and I.

Jerry and Pat have agreed to meet in the future.

There is nothing particularly glorious about sweaty fellows, laden with killing tools, going along to fight. And yet — such a column represents a great deal more than 28,000 individuals mustered into a division. All that is behind those men is in that column, too: the old battles, long forgotten, that secured our nation... traditions of things endured and things accomplished, such as regiments hand down forever; and the faith of men and the love of women; and that abstract thing called patriotism... all this passes into the forward zone, to the point of contact, where war is girt with horrors. And common men endure these horrors and overcome them, along with the insistent yearnings of the belly and the reasonable promptings of fear; and in this, I think, is glory.
Fix Bayonets! by Capt John W. Thomasen, Jr., USMC

Jerry and some of his grandchildren

2011-12-08T05:30:00.000-05:00

When Jerry's grandchildren took a couple of minutes to pose on the Thanksgiving weekend, this was one of the results.

Jerry, don't think your cap would pass muster that way!

Health update - 2

2011-12-07T06:55:00.001-05:00

Further tests to confirm the initial diagnosis have been completed. We just received word that Jerry will be starting radiation treatment for a tumor on his brain on Thursday, Dec 8th.

Jerry is approaching this treatment in true Marine fashion, there is no retreat, just forward motion.

Brunch at Fish Tale

2011-11-13T21:05:00.001-05:00

After a real meal meal and conversation at Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant in Westbrook, CT we stopped for a walk along the breakwater.

You can share what we saw

As you can hear, the wind was strong and covered up most of what Ray, AL and I said.

236th Marine Corps Birthday Dinner

2011-11-11T08:20:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday Devil Dogs.
10 NOV 1775 TUN Tavern in the city of Brotherly Love the Marine Corps was formed.

MARINES all over the Globe celebrated in high form on this night.

Places like Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and in every place where an American Embassy sits the MARINES celebrated.

In Rhode Island one distinguished group of MARINES celebrated at the Alpine Country Club. The Task Force is headed by Ed Malloy and assisted by Carl Weston, James Smith, Dan Cunningham and that legendary Marine Infantryman and Providence Police Officer Steve Cileli.

Steve as you may recall is the MARINE who started taking Jerry to the Birthday Dinner and brought him on board for the first time. Few of Jerry's children and grandchildren understand the ROCK STAR status that Jerry has with his fellow MARINES. Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.
Scenes of some of the fiercest close quarters combat that catapulted the US MARINES CORPS into history. Jerry came through although he lost some good friends. You have to watch as an observer the reverence that is shown to Jerry and guys like Placido " Pat" Femino of the 5th MARDIV.

Brianna Moody picked up Papa yesterday to run errands and then brought him to the residence to get ready. Brianna presented Jerry with a MARINE Corps tie adorned with the EGA's
in gold of course, on a blue background. ( Special thanks to the Marine Corps Museum Store for getting it here ASAP.)
Jerry tied it on and remarked" Oh Yes this makes it!" The requisite pictures were taken with Brianna and Jerry's daughter Joan. Then off to the Alpine Country Club.

Upon arrival, Jerry was greeted by MARINE Task Force Leader Ed Malloy. Ed was busy making last minute adjustments and greeting all MARINES. Marine Steve Cileli got Jerry squared away immediately with admission details. Jerry is always excited to see Steve and counts him in his inner circle of MARINES.

MARINE Paul DiPalma let Jerry know that a fellow veteran of Iwo Jima would be
joining Jerry at the table of honor. Jerry was getting tickets for the raffle and ran into Paul Chalko, retired Providence Police Lieutenant. Paul is a veteran of the Chosin Resevoir and was with Jack Mainor where both were wounded.

A Navy Corpsman recovered them both and sent them south when the MARINES
turned around and advanced through the CHICOM Army and broke out. Both Paul and Jack were severely wounded but survived to lead successful lives and raise families.

We miss Jack Mainor to this day.

Paul DiPalma escorted Jerry to his table and then brought over Placido "Pat" Femino of the the 5th MARDIV. Pat and Jerry immediately fell in to animated conversation.

Several MARINES came over and said hello to Jerry and Pat. Jose Pineda and his brother along with Dave Perez, a new comer to the Dinner. Jose and David are both Providence Police Officers.

Another Devil Dog Came over. Eric Cuellar celebrates his own birthday today! Eric is a Providence Police Officer and veteran of Iraq. Eric posed for a picture with Jerry and Pat.

Marine James Smith stopped by and checked in on Jerry as well. Jim kidded Jerry about his full head of hair. Jerry has quite a few of us beat.

Intelligence reports that Jerry passed on his salad but polished off his Scrod.

The cake was then cut by the oldest Marine 93 year young Colonel and the youngest Marine.

Dinner was followed by guest speaker Col. Theodore Gatchell USMC (RET.) two tours in the Republic of Viet Nam and Professor Emeritus at the Naval War College.

The Commandants Message was played. Jerry and Pat were reported to be very excited. The message linked the similarity in attacks on Pearl Harbor and the AQ attack on America on 9/11 and how motivated Marines responded. Historical video from WWII and current MARINE COMBAT Operations in South West Asia kept everyone capitvated.

The raffle took place, conducted by Carl Weston.

Ed Malloy called the roll of honor for MARINES who passed away over the year.

Then Marine Piper Manny Soares piped out the Colors with the MARINE CORPS Hymn. Marine Bob Boehm was to play as well but fell ill and reported to sick bay. (Bob had surgery and is up and well. Jerry wanted to stop in and see him but it was alittle hectic. )

Once again Jerry had an outstanding time. His wry wit was on rapid fire according to Eric Cuellar.

Jerry and his fellow MARINES sang the Marine Corps Hym at the end of the night. It was a rousing chorus and a final OOORAAAAHHHH. Check out the video link.

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy.
Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzDeHnMhftM

Health update

2011-11-06T07:22:00.001-05:00

What we know now:

Dad has been loosing weight so some tests have revealed he does have emphysema The doctor wants to do a biopsy to determine what type of lung cancer he may have.

What we do not know:

When the biopsy will be. It again raises the issue that he is taking Aggrenox and the doctor wants him off it for a week before and after. His primary care physician would not allow this for the last proposal a couple of years ago now. Circumstances have changed so maybe this one will get worked out between the doctors.

Once they find out what kind of cancer it is, the treatment options will be discussed.

We'll keep you posted as we take a new turn on this journey.

Joyal Brouillard Brunch

2011-08-24T05:54:00.001-04:00

The Joyals and Brouillards have combined to meet for brunch once a month as opposed to meeting separately. A smaller group than anticipated appeared at the Village Haven in North Smithfield.

The waitress took our group picture with Al's camera:

Next month we are scheduled to go to Wright's Farm (9/11/11)

Saturday lunch with Jerry

2011-07-02T18:44:00.009-04:00

Saturday is usually lunch over at Ernies. Ernie being a retired heavy Rescue Fire Fighter Captain has some great talent. Cooking is one of them. All though I have to caution him on the "HEAT" his meals are gourmet killer! He is the Chef of Fire.

The crew varies from week to week. We tend to solve all the worlds problems in under two hours or less. It takes place in Ernie's shop among firearms and Bridgeport tool machines.

I pickup Jerry and should I not bring him I usually get the third degree from the crew as to why he is not present. Jerry has Rock Star importance among these guys not because of charming Irish wit and good looks but because of his Elder Statesman status as a UNITED STATES MARINE VETERAN Of World War Two. The crew is very patriotic and dyed in the wool American.

Jerry is well versed on many subjects and is less prone to holding back as of late. The topics covered are politics, public misdeeds, tomfoolery and pension rights to name a few.

He was extremely pleased about the Navy Seals lifting UBL'S scalp back in April. Of course it pains him to hear of casualties especially MARINES.

Today the topic was the pension stuff in Providence and the recent discussion of layoffs.

Ernie made Chicken with Broccoli. With a wine sauce and pasta. Oh yeah, I ate way too much. Jerry gave it two thumbs up.

Ernie needed to test fire some weapons and we went to the range. I asked Jerry if he wanted to shoot? "Sure!" was his reply.

He first shot a 1911 style pistol in .22 caliber. We sent him down range and he drilled the target in the K5 Zone. He pressed pretty quick on the trigger.

"How did I do?" Yes PFC Sherlock you did fine. Old habits die hard." Hey Ernie you were right just like riding a bike." With that trademark Sherlock laugh.

He then shot a version of the M4 Carbine which his present day fellow Marines are fielding in Harms Way. He really liked and it reminded him of the handy M1 Carbine he carried and put to use in the Pacific.

While heading out he told me a few things. "Well I kind of shoot real fast. We had to you know against the Japanese. They would come in around 10 or 11 o'clock at night. They would get fired up on liquor and then their commanders would send them in a Banzai Charge. You had to shoot fast because there were so many. Ten MARINES would be in line shooting. You never really knew who you killed because everyone was shooting. Anyone standing in front of us got shot. The attacks could last anywhere from ten minutes to an hour. At IWO it was much different. The Japanese Commander forbid Banzai charges. He wanted every Japanese soldier to kill ten MARINES. It was very different.

I went to Marpi Point where the Japanese were pushing people off the cliffs. Do you remember me telling you about the woman we found in labor? Yes that's still pretty funny today. That woman gave birth with the help of another MARINE. He asked me if I had ever helped deliver a baby. No I said. Then the Marine said how about a farm animal? I grew up in the city we didn't have anything like that. What are you, crazy?" Jerry then said the MARINE assisted in the delivery and took his T-shirt off and wrapped the infant and gave it to Jerry.
" That woman got up and marched to the POW camp and then I took the baby over to the field hospital. I was exhausted and she marched right alongside of us after delivering a baby. Wow!'

Jerry's burn is looking better. I changed it and dressed the arm and it is looking much better. Fight with a hot cup of coffee.

8 US Service Men were killed this week in Afghanistan.

Two were in the ARMY.

Six were MARINES. They died taking the fight to the enemy. Remember that this holiday weekend. We celebrate Independence Day. They paid the price for us.

As Jerry would say, " SEMPER FI!"

"The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle."

General John "Black Jack" Pershing US ARMY

Brouillard Brunch - 6/12/11

2011-06-13T05:41:00.001-04:00

The Brouillard Brunch gathered at Savini's Restaurant in Woonsocket. A good meal was had by all eleven of us. Topped of with cake to celebrate Flo and Dick's birthdays.

Flo and Albert had not sat next to each other so they had some catching up to do before leaving

Enjoy!

Joyal Brunch: Pig Roast

2011-06-06T06:16:00.000-04:00

Michelle and family celebrated Jonathan's graduation with a pig roast and included the Joyal Brunch. A pig roast? Yup! Here is the full pig!

Cooked 7 hours at 325, the pig was very nicely done.

It came apart easily to make some delicious pulled pork!

If you'd like to have your own pig roast, you can contact Dave.

Graduation Party

2011-05-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

Steve, Jerry, Carolyn and Helen

Dan shows how to ace the ladder ball game

First pass at the food spread

Lining up for the second pass, this time for desserts

And the Sherlock cousins rest for a moment to take a picture

This was originally posted to Steve's 2 Cents

Honor flight

2011-05-22T19:47:00.000-04:00

Jerry is one of the lucky ones. His sons took him to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC in 2007. Others still need to go.

Jerry, his sons and one grandson in front of the Iwo Jima Monument can be viewed here

Photo essay - balloon messages

2011-04-17T07:41:00.000-04:00

After the Brouillard Brunch, last week some of the group stopped by the cemetery for a little balloon ceremony to remember Del Brouillard.

Messages were written on the balloons:

Balloons were held with care:

Messages were crafted thoughtfully:

And then the balloons were released, carrying their messages:

The front side of the Brouillard head stone:

The backside:

The front side of the stone for Adeline

The backside:

Brouillard Brunch

2011-04-11T05:57:00.001-04:00

The Brouillard Brunch was held at the Coachmen's Lodge in Bellingham, MA Sunday. 13 of us gathered for a good meal and plenty of conversation.

And since someone was going to be celebrating a birthday before we would get together again, there was cake.

How many candles were on that thing?

Naval History in Pacific 1944

2011-04-02T11:50:00.000-04:00

A good summary and detailed timeline of the action across the Pacific during 1944 is available here:
http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/naval-war-pacific-1944

It references Tinian and Saipan where Jerry served.

Looking up at the Pawtucket City Hall tower

2011-03-07T21:52:00.000-05:00

Steve and Frank ran the Irish 5K in Pawtucket on March 5th. A raw and overcast day with temperatures climbing into the forty's at race time and fifty's before the day was done. A far cry from the temp it would have been on top of the tower in the middle of winter that Jerry talks about in this recorded episode and reposted here.

Jerry talks of his work on the roofs of a couple of familiar buildings; Pawtucket City Hall and McCarthy's Dept Store, Woonsocket.

Time: 5 minutes, 27 seconds

MP3 File

RIP PVT. John Carlyle Jones

2011-02-26T23:41:00.003-05:00

26 Feb 1945
PVT. John Carlyle Jones
1st JASCO 3/25 4TH MARDIV
Died of Wounds and Buried at Sea

Pvt. Jones was Jerry's comrade. 66 years ago today Jones was wounded and evacuated to the beachhead at Iwo Jima by Jerry and fellow Marines.

The story of what happened is a sobering event.
Keep Jones in your prayers tonight and tomorrow at Mass.

" Fair Winds and Following Seas Jonesy. "

Prior post with more info on Jonesy
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2010/05/episode-8-pacific.html

19 FEB 1945

2011-02-20T04:17:00.005-05:00

‎19 Feb. 1945, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions, supported by the Navy, invaded Iwo Jima. In a battle that lasted 35 days, 6,821 Marines were killed in action, and 19,189 wounded. Of the 22,000 Japanese defenders, only 216 were taken alive. 27 Medals of Honor were awarded, 13 posthumously. Courtesy of Carl Weston

Saturday was spent with Jerry. We ate at Ernie Delmonico's. It is an unusual collection of men who gather for a couple of hours and solve all the worlds problems in four hours or less. Great food lots of laughs and some colorful language!

Yesterday was typical with Matt Wolf of INFORCE tactical lights showing A US ARMY SPECIAL FORCES SERGEANT a new tactical light. Jerry was duly impressed. He listened with rapt attention. I asked him what kind of light he used hunting in the caves on Iwo.

"oh sunlight.". Followed by the trade mark grin and laugh. The SF sergeant who has been back and forth to Iraq and A-Stan on numerous expeditions gave me a knowing look. It is the glance and acknowledgement of reverence from one professional to another about Jerry and those guys like him. They are described as Rock Stars. Truly.

I have spent a several years hunting armed men with a lot of high speed gear. Gear that has evolved over the years. My kit is an additional 70 lbs of weight. Body armor, plates ammo, lights, mirrors, chem sticks and other tools. Night vision and portable communications.

Jerry's kit. Dungarees,web belt several magazines for his M1 carbine, canteen and commo pliers. Steel pot. (his helmet) When clearing caves, a1911A1 .45 pistol and a whole lot of guts. (this site is G rated). I can't even fathom going on a job without my kit. Jerry and guys like him had none of the high speed gear of today.

SEMPER FI TO JERRY AND THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS ON THIS HALLOWED DAY.

"UNCOMMOM VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE"

Swim team success

2011-02-16T16:11:00.000-05:00

Papa's granddaughter Avery is doing well on the Smithfield (RI) High School Team.

Newly created swim team is undefeated : foxprovidence.com

Sherlock non-Christmas

2010-12-27T09:58:00.000-05:00

If only the cousins were here, we wouldn't have been so 'bored' on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday!

Enjoy!

The Sherlock Thanksgiving in Franklin

2010-11-27T06:07:00.000-05:00

A round of the family room as the group is intently playing Scattergories. The quiet thoughtful period is about to end and then they will compare their answers.

Enjoy!

235th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. - video

2010-11-26T06:35:00.000-05:00

You may recall that Frank took Jerry to the Marine Corp Anniversary Dinner earlier this month. This brief video is from that evening capturing the bagpiper doing the Marine Hymn.

Enjoy!

Brouillard brunch - Wright's Farm

2010-11-14T21:34:00.000-05:00

The Brouillard Brunch today was held at Wright's Farm in RI. I took Jerry to join with our cousins on my mother's side of the family.

24 folks showed up and we filled the long table!

I should have brought my Nikon in to use. Getting the group to pose for a photo long enough to get a good shot is not easy. They are a good fun loving group!

A pittance of time

2010-11-12T05:35:00.000-05:00

One of my heroes, Kirk Weisler posted this for his Veteran's Day

Take two minutes!

235th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

2010-11-11T09:52:00.008-05:00

Happy Birthday Marines!

Jerry attended the Birthday Dinner last night at the Alpine Country Club.

Jerry sat with the organizing committee. Steve Cileli, Ed Malloy, Carl Weston, Bill Jamieson and other Marines.

Jerrry gave out his special challenge coins. They were minted in the shape of the 4th MARDIV Patch and the Eagle Globe and Anchor on the opposite side.

Ed Malloy senior presented Jerry with a picture of Jerry and Ed Junior at the VE Day celebration in Smithfield.

I sat by the bar for a few minutes and several young guys were talking about the Iwo Jima Marine at the head table. A marine who I know but will remain nameless so as not to embarrass him said. "That is Jerry Sherlock. Dude is a ROCK STAR. He is a ROCK STAR! Saipan, Tinian and Iwo. Gunfighter from the old days. You have to meet him."

Jerry was in his element of fellow Marines. The colors were posted by the Marine Color Guard contingent. The Pledge of Allegiance and then the convocation by Carl Weston. With special emphasis on 3rd Battalion 5th Marines. They have borne the brunt of the casualties while taking the fight to the evil doers in A-STAN.

God Bless them and keep them safe!

Dinner and the nights events.

When I returned I was able to watch Marine Manny Soares play the Marine Corps Hymn on the Bagpipe. The Entire crowd came to attention and sang. With the assistance of Steve I'll be posting that video. It is especially motivating! Didn't Jerry get in trouble for singing the Marine Corp along time ago? Not last night. These guys don't play around. Wait for the video. OORAH!

Jerry ran into Paul Chalko. Paul was with the Frozen Chosin and was seriously wounded along with Jack Mainor. Paul and Jack were friends. Jack is another legendary Marine in the extended Sherlock OUTLAW clan. Paul and Jack fought in Korea at the Frozen Chosin and shed blood for this country so that others might have freedom. Jack has left us too early and is standing post on the streets of Heaven. Semper Fi Jack!

Jerry was surrounded by the Marine Color guard who fought to have photos with him. These guys speak the same language as Jerry. Freedom and Honor our not just simple word to the MARINES.

The Marines have been kicking ass and taking names in places with names that people can't even pronounce. It is written indelibly in blood on the MARINE Corps Battle Honors. Here is to guys like Jack Mainor and Jerry Sherlock. Guys like them, and guys that want to be like them!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!

SEMPER FI DO OR DIE!

When they don't listen, just say "thanks"

2010-11-11T06:36:00.000-05:00

On this Veteran's Day make sure you say "Thank you for your service" to any veteran or military person you see. I will be spending some time with two key veterans of 'the Greatest Generation" today; my father-in-law and my father.

Joe Proulx is a great example of the "Can Do" spirit that the Seabees where he served reinforced. He knows parts and logistics. He'll tinker with something broken, pulling it apart and putting it back together with parts from something else so that it works. He is having a hard time these days with Parkinson's developing and taking over his life. Parkinsons's in not something he is prepared to deal with. He can't take it apart and put it back together. When he does starting taking something apart, he doesn't remember doing it.

He will fall. Out of control, he just will lose balance and fall. This can be real dangerous when navigating the stairs in his house. He has already had several incidents with emergency room visits, stitches and bruises. He fell this past Sunday. Coming up from the basement, his shop where he does all his tinkering, he fell backwards. The family is still not sure how far he fell but he fell. Broke his neck this time. Second vertebrae so he was lucky. If it had been the first vertebrae, the situation could have been far worse.

Jerry Sherlock, my father, you may already know some of his story. We have been recording parts of the story of his life. We started with his first memory about three years old and worked our way up through school, baseball and World War II. He served in the Marines, in the Pacific Theater. He fought on Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He came home, started working, married Rita, raised six kids and did what he needed to do. We did not hear of what he did in the war. I do not know that we will ever hear all that occurred on those islands. I know enough that war is cruel, and horrible, and the worst that can be.

Jerry is challenged these days by diabetes, poor hearing, and recently has become legally blind. He keeps his routine as much as possible. He likes to read so his paperback and hardcover books from the library have been replaced by talking books. His newspaper has been replaced by a radio broadcast service that read the paper to him. Yet, when he gets up in the morning, he still walks out to the driveway to get the paper. A paper he really can't read.

The habits and routines that helped both Joe and Jerry survive are now creating some of their tough times. As much as we try to help them, they are set in their ways and won't listen. They made it before, they intend to make it now.

This Veterans Day is a great opportunity to just step back and say "Thanks for your service!"

This was originally posted to Steve's 2 Cents

Marianna "Hundy" (Shields) Moody

2010-11-09T06:21:00.000-05:00

Frank Moody, a frequent contributor here for Jerry's Story, lost his mother this past weekend. Our thoughts and prayers go to Frank and his family.

SOUTHINGTON — Marianna "Hundy" (Shields) Moody, 78, of South Farms Terrace, passed away Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Noel J. Moody.

She was born Jan. 2, 1932, in Providence, R.I., daughter of the late Frank J. and Anna (Flynn) Shields. She received her bachelor's degree from Mt. St. Mary's in New Hampshire. After graduating, she became a school teacher in Rhode Island. In 1979, she moved to Southington with her family, where she worked for the Southington school system until her retirement in 1995. She was a member of the Southington Women's Club and a parishioner of St. Thomas Church. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was an avid reader.

She is survived by her son, Frank Moody and his wife, Joan Sherlock, of Providence, R.I.; her two daughters, Mary Ellen Coe and her husband, Bill, of Watertown and Joan Roberts and her husband, Steve, of Cheshire; and her son, John Moody and his wife, JoAnne, of Unionville. She is also survived by two sisters, Joan S. Tracey and her husband, Bill, of Providence, R.I., and Nancy Bloor of Warwick, R.I.; and a sister-in-law, Beatrice Shields. She leaves her beloved grandchildren, Melissa, Sarah and Megan Coe, Brianna and Kegan Moody, Ashley, Annie and Jack Roberts, Alexandra and Devlin Moody. She was predeceased by a brother, John F. Shields, and a brother-in-law, Carl Bloor.

The funeral will be held Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington, to St. Thomas Church for a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Founders Affiliate of American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005. For online condolences and directions, visit www.dellavecchiafh.com.

This was originally posted to http://www.rep-am.com/Obituaries/519518.txt

The Real Meaning of a Hero

2010-10-31T08:00:00.007-04:00

I promised Celia (Jerry's youngest Grandchild) I would post this essay she shared with me. It was written for her Language Arts class.

It's a great essay Celia, thanks for sharing it with us.

The Real Meaning of a Hero
By Celia Palardy

There is a wooden old box above the TV. That box holds a black and white picture, two flags, and six medals. Those didn’t come from a contest; they came from the blood sweat and tears from being a marine in World War II. To get those you had to be selfless, strong with conviction, courageous, and dedicated. The only person who is all of this is Papa or my grandpa. Born in the city of Pawtucket he entered the marines at age 19. By entering the marines Papa had to leave his six other siblings behind. The other two had joined him in the war, one fighting and one as a nurse. After the war Papa married a wonderful women named Rita Joyal. They had six wonderful children that now take care of him now in his home in Smithfield Rhode Island. Papa’s wife had passed away when he was 58 years old.

Being selfless doesn’t take a lot of work. Papa definitely was selfless being on Imo Jima. One time a plane had landed there for help. And the marines and Papa helped them get back in the air. He also looked after all the injured soldiers he came upon. Papa risked his life to save the whole country. Now if that isn’t selfless then I don’t know what is.

Having a strong conviction is something Papa is very strong in. He has to deal with two obstacles in his life. They are diabetes and being legally blind. He has always believed that his sight will come back and he won’t have to deal with this obstacle any more. But until that day comes along he has all these “toys”. The “toys” are all these machines that he has. There is a special magnifier, a computer that magnifies things, and some glasses. Even with all of the help he still doesn’t lose faith in getting his site back.

Papa had to be very courageous to enter World War II. If he wasn’t then he wouldn’t have put his life in danger. At one point during the war Papa had felt something drip down his leg. He was about to get rid of his canteen when he found a bullet laying in there. He had come that close to being hit. He certainly was very lucky. Entering the war he was willing to give his life for his family and the country. He was very lucky to come out of the war alive. That just shows how courageous my hero was to put his life in danger for something he loves.

The last reason why Papa is my hero is because he is dedicated. Being a Marine meant that he had to help his fellow marines in all situations. He couldn’t back out of the war and leave everyone else without him to help out. He couldn’t cower after that bullet to the canteen, he had to keep going and not give up. He also is dedicated to his family. Everyday I get home I am always greeted by “Hello”. It is a weird way of saying it but that is dedication to want to say hi everyday.

Going back to that wooden box with the six medals; it is not the medals and fame that make a hero. It is someone who is selfless, someone with strong conviction, courageous, and dedicated. Papa is truly my hero that I love and will always look up to. Papa said that in “World War II the real heroes didn’t come back” but I don’t believe that.

Paul Sherlock - links

2010-10-27T06:02:00.000-04:00

As I was checking for family information yesterday, I did happen to find a couple of postings on Paul Sherlock's passing in 2004.

The Boston Globe had this:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/obituaries/articles/2004/01/19/rep_paul_sherlock_73_advocate_of_disabled/

The Warwick Beacon had this:
http://warwickonline.com/view/full_story/1451463/article-Sherlock-hailed-as-teacher--listener

And finally, the RI Senate passed the following resolution recognizing Paul's accomplishments and extending condolences to his family:

S2130_Resolution: Paul Sherlock

Paul's wife, Ann will be buried today.

Ann (Devine) Sherlock

2010-10-25T20:09:00.001-04:00

(DEVINE), age 79, of Warwick, died suddenly on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. She was the wife of the late Paul V. Sherlock. Born in Pawtucket, a daughter of the late Joseph P. and A. Viola (Warnock) Devine, she lived in Warwick for over 50 years. She was a 1949 graduate of St. Xavier Academy in Providence, and a 1953 graduate of Rhode Island College of Education. Mrs. Sherlock taught second grade in Warwick for a few years before retiring to raise her family.

She is survived by four children, Kathleen Sherlock MacLean and her husband Douglas of Foster, Timothy P. Sherlock and his friend Marian Maloney of Warwick, Martin D. Sherlock and his wife Jodi of Foster, and Mary E. Sherlock of Providence; six grandchildren, Cameron Simpson, Patrick and Elizabeth Sherlock, and Malcolm, Duncan, and Graham MacLean; several in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews including one favorite niece. She was the mother of the late Patrick J. Sherlock, and the sister of the late Eileen Pryor, Clare McElroy, and Joseph Devine.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, October 26, from 4-7 p.m. in the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick. Relatives and friends are invited, and are also welcome at a luncheon to be held on Wednesday, October 27, at 12 noon at Mrs. Sherlock's home. Her burial will be private.

Kindly omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be made to the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center, 3445 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886.

Published in The Providence Journal on October 25, 2010

---------------

At Chelo's in Warwick, a frequent location for the periodic Sherlock Brunch, Ann was delighted by the size of her dessert!

65th Anniversary of the Iwo Jima Survivors in Connecticut.

2010-08-16T21:48:00.003-04:00

On Sunday I had the pleasure of attending the 65Th Anniversary Dinner of the Iwo Jima Survivors. Steve Jerry and I drove down and got in early. I quickly noticed several Marines wearing dress blues and one in particular had the 4th MARDIV patch on his shoulder. I pointed it out to Jerry. Jerry went over and spoke to his fellow Marine and found out he was in the 14 Marines Arty. An artillery unit based across the street from Jerry in Hawaii.

At the table we sat with two other 4th MARDIV marines and a Navy Flight nurse. She left early as her husband a member of the 1st MARDIV is in failing health.

I was struck by the amount of history in the room. It was humbling. Had we known in advance more Sherlock family members could have attended. Many family members of the survivors were in attendance.

I sat next to Joe Woods. He asked who Jerry was and what unit. 1st JASCO 3BN, 25Th Marines. He gave me a look and asked me to repeat the unit. I did and he said that was my unit.

" Hey Jerry this guy was in your unit." Jerry slid in after the main course and they compared notes. I spoke to Ginny Woods Joe's wife. She told me that Joe's WW2 experiences are highlighted in a new book called "Pacific War Stories" by Gerald Meehl and Rex Smith.

A funny note. Joe told me he was alittle hard of hearing due to the war. I chuckled and agreed anyone who has been exposed to loud noise in close combat is lacking in the hearing department. " What did you say!" Inside joke for the hearing impaired. I don't expect the rest of you to understand.

The undercurrent was that these folks are all very humble. The majority of attendees who spoke generally agreed they missed their friends who didn't make it back. A good many of them are trapped in their thoughts and prayers at Iwo late at night.

It was very emotional. A roller coaster ride of funny and some brutally honest insight to Iwo.

Great time watch, for the pictures coming soon.

"The Marine Corps has been called the elite of the country by the New York Times.

I think it is the elite of the world."

Adm William Halsey, United States Navy

Horseshoes

2010-07-24T06:10:00.001-04:00

Of all the games the Joyals played during the summer, horseshoes at the lake or in the backyard has to be the number one memory. I recall that the Sherlock gatherings didn't involve games as I was growing up. They were more formal dressed up affairs.

Growing up and watching the men play, Pepe seemed to be on the winning team a lot. The duo trying to play against his team had a hard time. He could get a ringer or two on each pair of tosses. So pitching against him, you needed to get a ring or two to match, or else!

The NY Times has an article about the current horseshoe champion who regularly throws a ringer 80% or the time and in last years championship broke 90%.

That is some serious pitching!

Pepe and the uncles wouldn't have stood much of a chance against Alan Francis.

You can read the NY Times article here
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/21/sports/21horseshoe.html?_r=1

and see a slideshow here
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/07/20/sports/07212010-horseshoes-audioss/index.html

Smithfield Magazine Article

2010-07-18T13:04:00.001-04:00

Jerry was interviewed by Dick Martin of the Smithfield Magazine during June and the article appeared in the July issue.

You can view the 2 page story here

Smithfield Magazine Article July2010 Jerry's Story

The article came out very nicely. There are two factual errors.
(1) The reference to the Marine who is still having shrapnel removed from is body as it rises up to the surface is slightly incorrect. The story was about Del Brouillard and he passed away.
(2) The reference to Jerry's brother Jack fighting in Europe is correct. Jack did survive the war. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 90.

The color version of the photo above can be view on the YourSmithfieldMagazine website here
http://yoursmithfield.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=30388237&event=1034888&CategoryID=51072

I haven't be able to find any links to current issues. They appear to have stopped posting content to this website.

Newsreel - 1945

2010-07-01T06:35:00.001-04:00

A newsreel clip showing the Japanese surrender in 1945.

Dear Papa,

2010-06-20T12:29:00.001-04:00

I think I want to just say a few things from the perspective of your 13 grandchildren. What a lucky lot we are. We are all still figuring out what our contribution may be to this world we live in, we face unique challenges ahead. You have the benefit of knowing what your contribution was. Our freedom and our family.

As you have shared your story here and with us in person, we have come to know the exact extent of this. You returned home from the Pacific with stories no one would believe. So instead of telling them you moved on. While that is a simple sentence I know it could not have been that easy. I’m sure meeting Grandma helped. As well as these crazy kids of yours that started showing up. The stories from their childhood are also fun to hear. Baseball, food, sewing, wheel-barrels, cranberries at Christmas, and cleaning the floor. They look back on it with a fondness that is shared with us.

When we get to the moment on Jerry's story when we are present, we will have gone through some very significant moments in your life. And we each have our own Papa stories to share. And share them we will. But on today, Father’s Day I wanted you to know just how much we love you.

Our lives would have been so different if you were not in it.

I still might not be able to add to 15. But hours of Cribbage practice have made that a reality. I still haven’t won a game unless you were on my team, but that’s to be expected when playing against the Master Champion of the World (and Central Falls).

My first trip to the WaterFire would not have been as magical. Inspiration for artists is all around them through out their entire life, access to moments like this helps me stay inspired everyday.

Hot dogs, Del's, peanuts, pretzels, ice cream in mini hats and baseball. PawSox Games were looked forward to as summer treasures.

You are close to holding the world record for games/events attended by any Papa. Swim meets, graduations, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, backyard badminton and volleyball tournaments, eagle scout ceremonies, bring your grandfather to school day… the list goes on.

Our stories about you will continue. And at some point they will be recorded. Our oral history as a family has been started. Thanks for sharing with us. We listen eager to learn more about your life, and your place in our countries history. We can only aspire one day to be as influential in the lives of our loved ones as you are.

Happy Father’s Day.

Now sit back, relax, and try everyone of the desserts tonight. You deserve it.

Semper Fi.

~Allie

Happy Fathers Day

2010-06-20T07:31:00.001-04:00

Rare Color Film Action In The Pacific

2010-06-19T05:34:00.000-04:00

Some rare color film showing aircraft and fighter pilot action in the WW II Pacific Theater.

This was sent along by Jerry's sister-in-law, Vivian.
Thanks

Big number phone

2010-06-18T15:05:00.001-04:00

Big number phone, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Jerry got a new phone with big numbers from the VA. Some of the frequently called numbers were pre-programmed to help make the dialing easier.

Set up the 'old' phone to ring and allow Jerry to bring it outside within. The big number phone is not mobile. Now he should have the best of both worlds. One to use outside and answer calls. One with big numbers to help dial the calls he wants to make.

Paul V Sherlock Center

2010-06-06T06:41:00.000-04:00

Jerry's brother Paul was a long time RI State Senator and an educator at RI College. His work at RIC was recognized with a building dedicated in his name. Jerry took pictures with Helen and Albert at the building on the RIC campus earlier this year. Helen and Jerry:

Albert and Jerry:

A view of the building

And Jerry in front of the building:

Enjoy!

Fran and Vin Campbell

2010-06-05T07:40:00.000-04:00

One of the story lines Jerry referenced was about his return home from the Marines. He was going to be part of his sister Fran's wedding. From the photo archive, I found these two pictures of Fran and Vin Campbell at Patti and John's wedding.

And this:

This is how I remember Vin, he always had an impish smile on his face.

Jerry's Story: Memorial Day 2010

2010-06-01T21:42:00.002-04:00

Jerry was a guest speaker for the Memorial Day ceremonies at Smithfield, RI. He gave a brief speech.

Time: 1 minute 29 seconds

MP3 File

The photos from the ceremony can be viewed here:
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2010/06/memorial-day-2010.html

Memorial Day 2010

2010-06-01T07:54:00.000-04:00

Jerry was a guest speaker at the Memorial Day services in Smithfield, RI on Monday, May 31.

A slide show of photos from the event:

I did record the event and should be able to post that recording this week.

Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to Jerry's Story to view the slideshow.

Memorial Day Devil Dogs

2010-05-31T08:24:00.004-04:00

Thanks to all Service members. Especially those who paid the ultimate sacrife.

Of course the MARINES hold a special place of honor here.

Volleyball

2010-05-29T11:36:00.000-04:00

Jerry will be viewing the RI High School Division II Volleyball championship today between Cranston East and Mount St Charles. Grandson, Kegan Moody, is playing for Cranston East.

The Providence Journal posted an article and has pictures from the semi-finals games here
http://www.projo.com/highschool/content/Volleyball_Szostak_Division_II_05-26-10_4HIKP_v3.39ceae9.html

and the outlook for today's championship game is here:
http://www.projo.com/highschool/content/sp_hs_volleyball_28_05-29-10_KCILV5F_v3.1106327a.html

All photos copyright of the Providence Journal. The originals can be found here:
http://www.projo.com/highschool/slideshows/2009-10/0525_volleyball/

Street Stories - Memorial Day - 5:30 PM

2010-05-27T06:22:00.001-04:00

Street Stories will do a special program on Memorial Day at 5:30 PM featuring several veterans stories that they had covered earlier this year. Jerry's segment is reported to be amongst those for this program.

You can view the video commercial announcing the special presentation here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Providence-RI/Street-Stories/155276126567?ref=sgm#!/video/video.php?v=1469625387169&ref=mf

Episode 10 The Pacific

2010-05-19T06:35:00.009-04:00

Great night with Jerry and his fellow Marines!

We started the night off at the Greenville Inn with Jerry his son Steve, Ed Malloy, Carl Weston, Steve Cileli and myself. The usual buffoonery with Ed setting the tone at the dinner table. At one point Gary Tikoian stopped by to exchange pleasantries with everyone and trade barbs with Eddie.

Gary's uncle was Harry Kizirian. Rhode Island's most highly decorated Marine in World War Two. Harry was with E Company, 2 Batt., 22nd Marines, 6th MARDIV.

Jerry 's dad worked for the Post office for 39 years in Providence and was friends with Harry. Jerry met Harry after the war.

Great food and then back to Ed's house and sat down to watch The Pacific. We watched Episode 9 again. Steve Cileli does a great impression of Snafu. We won't delve to far into that. You had to be there.

Ed's wife, Ellie made coffee and provided dessert. She made a special dessert for Jerry. Steve Sherlock and myself gave Jerry a hard time because he usually raids the dessert table at family gatherings. "I like to try one of each to make sure it is safe to eat." Yeah okay!

Ryan Malloy came in to watch the final episode and to meet Jerry. Ryan is a big Marine Corps fan. He'd have to be. His grandfather is legendary Providence Police Lieutenant Ed Malloy, Eddie is a Marine and uncle Carl Weston is also a Marine.

Ryan listen intently to Jerry talk about his experiences in the Pacific with the 4th MARDIV.

Again, Jerry filled in some of the guys about calling a fire mission in on Japanese positions while with JASCO. Ed asked Jerry what weapon he carried and what he liked.

Jerry of course said he liked the M-1 Carbine.

'I carried about ninety rounds with me. Six clips. We would cut a cross or X in the bullet to add stopping power. I would use my pliers and take a file and make the cut. One guy used to sell the ammo. He would cut an X on the top and then sell the ammo for like 20 bucks for a hundred rounds."

It made a difference with the carbine round being equivalent to an A plus P38 special. It turned the bullet into a hollow point. I know some of you people are getting torqued about about the Geneva Convention. Listen, I'm pretty sure if Jerry went to Geneva to fight the Swiss, he'd abide by the Geneva convention.

Jerry spoke about the Japanese getting fired up on Saki and then launching a banzai charge at around 2200 at night.

"They'd get all fired up on the Saki and charge. A couple guys found a cave that was as high as a tenement house. It was loaded with beer and saki. A guard was placed on the cave so the Japs didn't sneak back and get liquored up. A couple days later we came off the line and made a pit stop. We were supposed to get some R and R. Shower, hot chow and rest up. We got into the beer and Saki. Then we got word that the battalion that relieved us got pretty well beaten up. We got word to go back and relieve them. That was pretty rough. I'm not sure how many guys weren't hung over. We smelled pretty bad too. The Japs must have smelled us coming"

When the final episode started it showed guys coming home. Bob Leckie got home and was dropped off by a cab driver. The driver refused to take Leckie's money. The cab driver was a paratrooper who jumped into Normandy. The Paratrooper says the Gyrenes had it tough.

Leckie gets his job back with the paper as a sports writer. He courts Vera Keller.

Lena Basilone goes to New Jersey and meets up with John's parents and brother George. George tells her that he saw the grave site at Iwo and he is with his fellow Marines. I pointed out the shoulder insignia of the Fourth on George Basilone' uniform. Jerry nodded.

Jerry told us about coming home via ship to California. He had to make a deposit for a Marine sergeant.

"This sergeant won $8,000.00 playing craps. He gave several of us $2,000.00 to bring back. We had his bank and name to deposit it in. He told us that if we stiffed him, he'd find us and get the money back or kill us. As soon as I got stateside I deposited the money." Carl Weston asked if Jerry got a fee. "Oh yeah about $500.00 dollars."

The scene cuts out to Sledge and Snafu on the train heading back from the west coast. Jerry told everyone how they boarded trains and headed home. It took six days to go across the country.

"We would stop every morning and get a breakfast and then they'd give us a box lunch for the day. We would pull right into a town and go into a Harvey House and eat. There was a movie that came out called the Harvey Girls. Judy Garland played in the movie. One place, we stopped right in the middle of the town, got out and went to a bar. They had closed the main door and moved everyone to a side entrance. Inside was a long bar filled with beer bottles. You could walk up, pick up your beer and pay for them at the other side. It was one of the most efficient operations I ever saw!

Eventually I got to Washington, DC and attempted to get back to Providence by train. I got picked up by the MP's. They asked for my orders. I was trying to get back to Rhode Island in time for my sister Fran's wedding. I was going to be the best man. She was marrying Vin Campbell. They put me in a truck along with a whole bunch of Marines and we got sent to Bainbridge, MD to muster out. I never made it to the wedding."

Snafu gets to New Orleans and gets up to leave. He looks at Sledge who is asleep. I think we all see Snafu is reluctant to say goodbye. He walks off the train letting Sledge sleep.

Jerry remarked that once he mustered out from Bainbridge, he got back to Rhode Island by train.

"I got to Providence and it was early. So I took a bus to Pawtucket and went home. My mother was there. I wanted to see my father, who was on his mail route in Providence. My mother immediately told me to head back to Providence as my father would be thrilled to see me. He had told everyone that I was in the Marine Corps and was rather proud of me. I went to the Post office and they told me where he would be. So I surprised him on his route and then I walked the route with him. He introduced me to everyone. My sister was still in Hawaii and Jack was still in Europe. Paul was in Paris at SHAPE.( Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) Tough duty. Ted was still with the Coast Guard and Henry was at sea with the Navy."

Editors Note: Paul was still in high school when Jerry returned home. He was the youngest of the group and didn't get to go to Europe until well after the WWII.

The show concluded with a post script on what happened to each of the Marines. It was uncanny how much the actors looked like the characters they portrayed.

Jerry was a little subdued near the end. I suspect he saw a little of himself in all of the characters. He has told his daughters that the series has evoked some memories.

He told me that he had a long night after the Iwo episode. He laughed but it was his stalwart character kicking in. It was clear that some strong feelings were brought back. We talked at length about Jonesy.

I was able to find some info on Jonesy. He died of his wounds and was buried at sea. He is still listed as missing/buried at sea in Department of Defense records. Jonesy is listed on the Tablet of the Missing in Honolulu at the War Memorial.

Eugene Sledge's father had worried about what would happen to his son after the war. He had treated returning soldiers from World War 1 and had seen the suffering of these veterans.

Sledge and others eventually figured it out and moved forward.

The highlight of the night came when Carl Weston gave Jerry a special gift. Carl had taken part in a contest on line answering questions about the Marine Corps. Carl won and received a bag of volcanic ash from Iwo Jima. Carl built a box, painted it Marine Corps Red and placed the Eagle Globe and Anchor emblem on the top.

Carl presented the box containing the ash from Iwo to Jerry. Jerry is still pretty thrilled over the gift. Something only MARINES would understand. Something so simple yet complex. That box and what it represents to Jerry and Carl transcends the boundaries of a generation of MARINES.

The Pacific is over and it has received great reviews from Jerry. It did bring back some memories. Not all good but he laughs and moves on keeping us all chuckling. Jerry says Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have hit the mark. He is awaiting the next project from them and has his own ideas.

The blog will continue. As Jerry said the other night; "I have a lot more stories to tell!"

Special thanks to Ellie and Ed Malloy for opening there wonderful home to Jerry and his Gang.

Especially to Ellie for her hospitality.

Thanks to Carl Weston ,Steve Cileli and Ryan Malloy for joining us on the evening of the final episode.

Jerry has been thrilled all week. His time with family and his MARINES mean so much.

"The man who will go where his colors will go, who will fight a phantom foe in a jungle or a mountain range and will suffer and die in the midst of incredible hardship, without complaint, is still what he has always been. He is the stuff of what legions are made. His pride is his colors and his regiment, his training hard and thorough and coldly realistic, to fit him for what he must face and his obedience is to orders. As a legionary, he held the gates of civilization for the classical world... he has been called UNITED STATES MARINE."

Lt. Col. T.R. Fehrenbach, US ARMY in "THIS KIND OF WAR"

Episode 9 The Pacific

2010-05-10T07:00:00.010-04:00

Last night began with the 1st MARDIV moving up though Army lines to take over. Some bantering in the lines about the lack of prisoners comes about. Someone says "...We don't take prisoners." Shortly they come across several US soldiers guarding prisoners on the side of the trail.

Some remarks are made and a confrontation quickly escalates with the Japanese prisoners and the Marines. Something along the line of " I thought we didn't take prisoners. Yeah those are ARMY prisoners." Which quickly got a chuckle from Jerry. Jerry has some strong feelings left over from Saipan when the Marines moved forward and the Army stayed at the line of departure.

They Marines continue to move forward and the action begins right away. The rain and mud quickly deteriorate the Marines morale.

"I was fortunate with the weather. I only recall it raining one night on Iwo. It was a little cool but we just covered up. I don't remember it raining on Saipan or Tinian. That rain and mud must have been tough on Okinawa. I'm glad I didn't go to Korea. I don't do well in the cold. Well back then it didn't bother me when I was young. I'm still glad I didn't go."

"Jack Mainor went and he got hit up at the Chosin Resevoir. His mother got a letter that he was missing. That must have been tough on her. He was evacuated to an Army hospital in Japan. It wasn't until a Marine Officer came in and asked if there were any Marines present. That's how they found out Jack was alive."

In a typical Rhode Island story Jack Mainor was good friends with that Legendary Providence Cop Paul Chalko. He was wounded along with Jack at Chosin. He was a pretty grizzled veteran Sergeant went I got to meet him. Jack Mainor mentioned that he knew Sgt. Chalko and I mentioned it to him. Sort of smoothed things over!

At one point the Marines move forward when the Japanese pull back. Upon reaching the Japanese lines several refugees come down the draw. One of them is crying and trying to pass off a baby. She moves her clothes and a bomb is strapped to her body. The bomb detonates and the Japs push refugees ahead of them with pretty grim results.

"I am glad I didn't have to deal with that. At Saipan the Japanese made the civilians jump off Marpi Point. They had to jump off or get shot. Of course at Iwo we didn't come across any civilians at all."

At one point Sledge is summoned up to call fire in on an enemy strong point. Sledge breaks out a compass and calls for fire. I notice Jerry smiling. Pretty accurate portrayal?

"Oh yeah I was pretty good at that. Of course most of the time I had a map with all grids and coordinates marked off. I'd call for one round for effect. If it was on, I'd shoot the whole battery. If it was a ship they 'd open up with all the five inch guns. A battle ship, that would be the 16 inch guns. Pretty noisy with some good results. Yes I did that quite a bit." He was beaming with the trade mark Sherlock grin!

One of the Marines comes apart and starts firing at the Japanese lines at night. Several Marines try to stop him.

"Good way to get yourself killed. You could get shot by your own guys doing something like that. It happened. Guys reached the breaking point and for everyone it was different. I'm glad it never happened to me. Some guys, you never knew when it would happen. My buddy Sherlock from New York, remember when we talked of him? We were virtually civilians when we got on the ship leaving Hawaii. He lost it at the dock when the ship pulled away. He just didn't think he was going home.

"Guys marking the days in a book or writing down what happened. Not me, one day was the same as the rest. Just glad I got through the day in one piece "

Near the end of the episode the Marines with Sledge and Snafu are sunning themselves by the ocean. They get the word to saddle up. The officer says that a bomb was dropped on Japan and killed alot of Japanese. The Japs might finished.

I asked Jerry when he got the word about the atomic bomb.

"I was in my tent and I heard alot of gunfire. Guys were shooting everything. Couple mortar rounds went out too. When they told me, I started firing my carbine also." He motioned having a carbine in his hands and pulling the trigger. Jerry was giggling at this point. "I had already been practicing hitting beaches out on Maui. I wasn't that happy as I was pretty sure I'd get hit. Given all the casualties I knew I was do to get hit. I just dealt with it. When the bomb was dropped I just couldn't believe that one bomb could do all that damage. One bomb? Then a second bomb was dropped and the emperor surrendered. 250,000 people were killed. Well the alternative was that i and alot of other Americans would have been killed. They signed the peace agreements in Tokyo Bay on the deck of the Missouri. (USS Missouri BB-63).

It was the impossible dream. I was really glad. A lot Marines would have died hitting the home Islands. I know it sounds strange but that was it the war was over with two bombs."

The previews came on for next week and a couple guys had dress blues.

"I never had dress blues. I suppose I would have liked to but I'd had enough. Word came down that Col. Chambers was going to be the Provost Marshal in Shanghai, China. My buddy couldn't go so I was asked. I'd be the aide to Col. Chambers. I thought about and said I'd have to ask permission from my mother." He laughs at this point. You had to ask your mother? You're a combat Marine and you have to ask your mother for permission to go to China?

"Well yes. Listen my mother had seven kids involved one way or another in the war. I wasn't sure she'd approve of that. I didn't know what Jack had been through. I figured I 'd better ask my mother." Again he starts chuckling and adds; " Of course I'm not sure what my frame of mind was back then. I'd seen enough of killing. I was pretty sure a military career wasn't for me at that point. I 'd had enough. I wanted to go home and see my mother and the rest of the family."

What had happened to Jack? Had you heard anything?

"No. I had no idea what Jack had been through. No word at all. I never knew what happened to Jack until I got home. No mail. I was very glad that we were all home in one piece. It was a different time. What I had been through... it was enough. Later on during the Vietnam War I thought I didn't want my sons going through what I'd experienced. I'd go back before they went. It's hard to understand for some people. I knew what to do. Some things you don't ever forget. I would have been able to do the job. Not some kid who didn't know any better."

Jerry makes no apologies for his actions during the war. Nor about his feelings on the Atomic bombs being used. Jerry experienced war in its most simplest, brutal form. No time out, no do over button and no saying " No fair . You hurt my feelings."

So Cowboy up next time you've had a bad day. Your iPod, Cell phone or Laptop freezing up is not the end of the world.

Like Jerry, live for today. Because sometimes, for some people that's all there is at the end of the day. Like the Marines of World War Two fighting, surviving and some dying. Moving forward. All Servicemen and Women for all time. Stop and give them a quick thought.

"There is nothing particularly glorious about sweaty fellows, laden with killing tools, going along to fight.

And yet such a column represents a great deal more then individuals mustered in a division. All that is behind those men is in that column too; the old battles, long forgotten that have secured our nation...traditions of things endured and things accomplished, such as regiments hand down forever... and that abstract thing called patriotism, which I never heard combat soldiers mention- All this passes into the forward zone, to the point of contact, where war is girt with horrors.
And common men endure these horrors and overcome them, along with the insistent yearnings of the belly and the reasonable promptings of fear; and this, I think, is Glory."

Capt. John Thomason USMC ; "FIX BAYONETS" 1926

PVT John Carlyle Jones USMC

2010-05-09T05:45:00.001-04:00

PVT. John Carlyle Jones

United States Marine Corps

Service Number 982847

Entered Service From Colorado

Died 26 FEB 1945

Buried at Sea

Purple Heart

Tablets of the Missing Honolulu Memorial

Honolulu, HI

ENGRAVED UPON THE DEDICATORY STONE;

IN THESE GARDENS ARE RECORDED

THE NAMES OF AMERICANS

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES

IN THE SERVICE OF THIER COUNTRY

AND WHOSE EARTHLY RESTING PLACE

IS KNOWN ONLY TO GOD

Episode 8 The Pacific

2010-05-02T22:37:00.007-04:00

Jerry gave tonight's episode his seal of approval.

The show started with the 1st MARDIV recuperating from Peleliu. It then moved to John Basilone and followed him on the War Bond Tour, to home to his family and then out to Camp Pendleton with the 5th MARDIV.

John Basilone starts working out and pushes his men hard. Jerry began chuckling about Gunny Basilone barging into the barracks in the middle of the night, waking the Marines up.

He gave me a wry look and said; "What was it they said when they came into wake us up. One DI would always be screaming at us. Oh yeah it went something like this. .......Drop..." Sorry we are G Rated here. You Marines know exactly what the verse is!

Basilone gets married and he winds up with the 5th on Iwo. Jerry immediately said that the 5th was at the opposite end of the beach where he landed.

I asked if the depiction of combat was accurate. "Oh it was a pretty accurate portrayal of how it was. We woke up and they gave us a big breakfast of ham and eggs coffee.... everything. Then we got into the boats at about 0430 and circled. We didn't hit the beach until after 0900. The commanders had to make a decision as to whether we'd hit the beach or not. The thing that sticks out was the Volcanic ash. I ran on alot of beaches. Iwo was different. You couldn't get traction to run. It was extremely difficult and slowed everyone down in getting off the beach. You would dig a fox hole and it would collapse.

I can remember jumping into a hole and starting a conversation with a guy. It was a one sided conversation. I checked and he was dead. Wounded and dead were everywhere. You have to understand that almost 1800 guys were piling onto the beach from every wave. Too many guys were put on the beach at the same time.

I really feel that alot of the casualties resulted from the poor traction. You couldn't go anywhere fast. So if you were getting shot at it was tough running on the beach. I think that's why so many guys got hit. No where to go and everyone bunched up.

I finally saw a bunch of guys underneath a pill box. They weren't getting shot at as the Japanese couldn't get the angle. So I ran to where they were. Then I threw a couple of grenades up at the pillbox. Eventually some demolition guys came over and they put bangalore torpedos underneath. They called "fire in the hole". Then dropped the Pillbox down the hill. We cleaned it out and used it as a commo bunker with all of our radios.

The medics got pretty busy. They did a tremendous job."

When did you know about Basilone getting hit?

"It wasn't for several days later that we found out. We were busy with are own stuff and when it came out that he was killed it overshadowed alot of other people who got killed. Basilone was famous because of his actions at Guadalcanal. Some high ranking officers were killed on Iwo. More was said about Basilone because of his exploits."

When did Jonesy get hit?

"Jonesy got hit about eight or nine days after we landed. That was awful hard. I was close to him because we had formed a bond in combat. We had cleaned out caves together on Saipan. We lost so many guys in a short amount of time at Iwo.

I was sitting there on the beach after Jones got hit a second time in the landing craft. Another Marine came along and asked if I was OK. I said I am alive." The Marine replied. " Ok grab your gear and move out . We got to get back up to the front." So off I moved. It wasn't the same though." Jerry continued

I wasn't really close in a sense to anyone else. Jones and I had a special bond. We had been through alot at Saipan. I went out for a beer with the replacements but it was different."(Back in Hawaii)

We also didn't experience any Banzai charges like on Saipan. The Japanese commander told each Imperial soldier to kill at least 10 of us. At the end sometime in March the Japs did launch a surprise attack on the airfield. Quite a few guys got killed. All the Japs were killed though."

Jonesy

Jones suffered a leg injury where most of his leg was gone. A tourniquet was placed on his leg. Jerry and several Marines rushed him to the beach. Jones was put on an LCVP with other wounded Marines. As the boat was heading out to the hospital ship it took a direct hit. Jerry immediately swam out with other Marines and they brought the wounded to shore.

Jones had now lost his left arm in addition to his leg. Jerry never says who, but I suspect he placed the tourniquet on Jones. Jerry put Jones along with the wounded on another boat and it went to the the hospital ship.

Jerry got word several days later that Jones had died on the ship.

Some of you have heard a version of this story. This episode opened up some more chapters in Jerry's life. It is the story of a Marine in combat. Hard and brutal. Somethings that won't ever be forgotten. Jonesy and Jerry were tight. That was made very clear.

"Just cruel and unusual punishment is all I can think of what happened. Guys getting hit multiple times. We'd fix a guy up and he'd get hit again. It was so unfair in a sense. I just still don't understand why. To this day... I was just so very lucky. I never realized how lucky I really was. I found out not to long ago that of 900 guys that hit the beach at Iwo Jima in my unit, only 150 walked off." Jerry got that far away look and shrugged his shoulders.

We spoke of things that took place in the days afterwards and then when he left Iwo. Higher Headquarters put out the word looking for volunteers to man the Navy Chow Lines. FOOD??? What Sherlock would say no to food? ( Damn near had a riot on Sunday when he was put on portions for dessert after Kegan's confirmation.)

Jerry left Iwo Jima and moved onto a US Navy ship. The Sailors treated him well upon arrival. Jerry prepped the chow on the Navy vessel.

"I was pretty ragged. The sailors ran a hot shower and then put me in Navy dungarees. They made me steak and I got to eat plenty of ice cream. They really treated me very well. Eventually a Gunny caught up to me just before we got to Hawaii and told me to put on USMC dungarees. That was the end of that." That trademark grin and laugh.

Jerry would commence training for an as of yet undetermined target. He felt that it may have been Honsho.

Jack Sherlock was in a Tank Destroyer Battalion pushing through German lines.

"My brother Jack was involved at the battle of the Remagen Bridge and helped capture it."

That battle took place 7-8 March 1945. German troops did attempt to blew it but it was a low order detonation. The bridge was captured intact and vehicles got over it. The bridge finally did collapse on 17 March-1945.

Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone lay at Iwo Jima unti his remains were moved to Arlington National Cemetary in 1948.

27 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions at Iwo Jima. 23 to US MARINES. 4 to Sailors.

That would amount to 28% of the 82 Medals of Honor awarded to the Marine Corps in World War Two.
More Medals of Honor then any other Battle to date.
25,851 casualties. 1 in 3 would die.
6,285 Americans were killed there. US Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen.

One of those was PFC Jones 1st JASCO 3rd BN 25th Marines 4th MARDIV from Colorado.

"Among the men who fought at Iwo Jima, Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue."

Admiral ChesterW. Nimitz
March 1945

Marine Corps Weapons

2010-05-02T08:44:00.014-04:00

Thompson

1917 Revolver

Colt 1911A1

Reising M55

Wold War II saw the defense industry playing a big catch up game with weapons for the War effort.

My grandfather who was a a National Guard officer told me of picking up weapons all over New England and shipping them to England for Lend Lease. People donated rifles, shotguns and pistols of every make. Meanwhile the War Department was scrambling to mass produce weapons for the US Army and Marine Corps.

We have already profiled some weapons here. Several manufacturers such as Harrington and Richardson in Worcester and United Defense in New Haven began jumping in with all makes of submachine guns. The Reising Model 55 with a folding stock was adopted by the Fleet Marine Force (FMF), Raiders and ParaMarines. Marines carried them into Guadalcanal with some dismal results. It was a .45 Auto Caliber closed bolt SMG. (The Thompson SMG fired from an open bolt.) It contained more moving parts. Like the Reising, it was also hand fitted. Meaning that the parts were not interchangeable. The Reising was designed for Law Enforcment where hand fitted parts might not make a difference. However, in a combat environment where field maintenance was everyday, it became a problem. Eventually the Resing was pulled from the FMF.

When Jerry got to Hawaii he qualified with an M1 Carbine. He wanted the Colt .45 1911A1, it had great stopping power but I think he was glad to have the Carbine.

He " Fam" ( familiarization) fired the Thompson SMG, 1911A1, 1919a1 Light Machinegun, Browning Automatic Rifle and the MA DEUCE. Browning .50 Cal Heavy Machine gun.

"I wanted the Thompson SMG. I thought I was qualifying with it at Hawaii and I'd be able to get issued. Apparently, the course didn't conform to Marine Corps standards. I ended up with the Carbine. I didn't like the BAR. Heavy and it recoiled pretty hard. We had to fam fire all the weapons in case something happened, we knew how to operate everything."

Other weapons we've seen are the M1917 Revolver. Manufactured by Colt and Smith & Wesson. It required half moon clips that you'd put the .45 ACP rounds into and then load into the cylinder. It was a manstopper. Eugene Sledge's character is seen sporting one with a lanyard and the 1917 Cavalry holster. Standard fair back in the day when carrying the 1917 Revolver.

Jerry's fellow Marine, Jones carried a Colt Single Action Army in a western rig. I asked Jerry about Marines carrying various pistols.

"It was personal thing if guys had them they carried them. No one said anything because we were in combat. You wouldn't get away with it Stateside. In combat it was different. It was nice to have a pistol when Jones and I had to clear caves."

The Thompson enjoyed much fame. Carried by gangsters in the Roaring Twenties. Anyone could buy them back them. John Dillinger and Machine Gun Kelly made them famous. Designed by Col. John Thompson for Trench warfare, it was a heavy but dependable weapon. Several models were fielded. It came with a 20 round box or stick magazine. The Tommy gun fired from an open bolt. You can use the magazine to repel boarders if required. Fully loaded it is pretty heavy. A fifty round drum magazine was issued early in the war but it proved cumbersome.

See you tonight after "The Pacific".

WPRI-TV Street Stories - features Jerry's Story

2010-04-30T19:43:00.000-04:00

The video segment was broadcast on WPRI-TV, Channel 12 in Providence, RI this evening as planned. Other than footage of D-Day in Europe instead of Saipan, Tinian, or Iwo Jima in the Pacific Theater where Jerry did land, the story is concise and to the point.

Walt, Johnny, thank you for sharing this story.

Enjoy!

Episode 7 Pacific

2010-04-29T17:11:00.003-04:00

On Sunday night I talked a little to Jerry before the Episode came on about boot camp.

"I took a train from Providence with about maybe twenty other guys. We got down to Washington DC and got off there. We were herded to another area where a Coastliner was waiting for us. Everyone on that train was headed to Parris Island.

Upon arrival we were met by Master Gunnery Sgt. Lou Diamond." With a gleeful laugh and hand gesture Jerry said" Oh yeah that was something else. 'We were useless, the worst excuse for Marine recruits he had ever seen in his career. 'They were just trying to break us down. Which they did. But there was a purpose for it. It probably helped save a lot of Marines in combat. If they said go you just went. It was automatic. We were well trained."

People have to move as one in combat but you still can't shake the feeling of fear. In reading some books on combat in World War two it was felt by a lot of doctors that men could only endure sustained combat for about a month. It would begin to take a toll. What these Marines went through was pretty tough combat.

We see Sledge lose his LT. very shortly. During the night the Japanese began to infiltrate into the Marine lines. One guy got out of his fox hole and was killed. Master Sgt. Holt dresses down his Marines and tells them this is what happens when you leave your fox hole at night.

Jerry commented "Yeah, you didn't leave your fox hole. The night was tough because your eyes played tricks on you. The least little noise and the whole line would open up and it was tough to hear the cease fire being called. One night I got delayed out in front of the lines with my Lt. while scouting. We didn't dare cross back into our lines."

Well I said how about all those World War Two movies where they said hey who plays for the Yankees?

"Oh my God that was BS. You didn't say a word. You just stayed where you were and hoped you didn't run into the Japanese. Any noise would have brought a response from our lines. No such thing as friendly fire. My Lt. and I stayed out there all night. I was dying for a cigarette. Then the Japanese were crawling by us. At one point I could have reached out and touched them. I was dying for a cigarette." Then he starts laughing and says; We got through the night and then came back into the lines at daybreak. No big deal."

No big deal? Ah Okay. I think that would be described as an underwear changing event.

At one point while the Marines are moving up through the the hills into the Japanese lines and a guy has to relieve himself. He walks over to a cave entrance. As soon as he gets his pants down he is charged by a Japanese soldier. The Marine shoots the Japanese soldier and begins to make a tactical retrograde. (Unassessing the area some might call it.) Jerry begins laughing hysterically along with the Maines on the show as another Jap chases the Marine who is still trying to get his pants up. Finally the Japanese soldier is shot and the Marine is pulling up his pants hollering at his fellow marines for taking so long to shoot the Jap.

Jerry is still laughing clearly he has been reminded of something.

"On Iwo this guy was squatting down relieving himself. All of a sudden the enemy opened up on him. He started running with his pants at half mast and I just started laughing. Then I was howling. It was a good thing the guy was altittle further down and the Japs were shooting. Otherwise he'd have probably come over and beat the sh*& out of me. I was laughing so hard I wouldn't have been able to defend myself. Oh God that was funny." Jerry gives that classic grin and shakes his head.

As the Marines are moving up further into the hills they call for the CO. He passes up to the front. A short moment later and gunfire breaks out in the same direction the CO was heading. The word passes down that the Captain was killed. The Marines are clearly hit hard by the loss of the Captain.

I commented that it must have been hard losing a good officer.

"Yes it was hard. It was hard losing a friend. It ah... it was just hard, you know. You get to know these guys and we were like brothers. The loss was hard. You never knew when it would happen. But you did your job. We had to keep going."

The episode ends with the Sledge and his fellow Marines being returned to the rear area and being greeted by Red Cross workers giving them Orange Juice.

The episode also covered Basilone on the Bond tour and getting antsy to be back in the Corps.

Jerry again just shakes his head.

"I don't know why he went back. I had seen enough after Saipan and Tinian. After Iwo I just know my luck would have run out. We were suppose to hit the island of Honsho. It was a home Island. I was pretty sure I was going to get hit." Jerry gives a shrug of the shoulders and stares at the television with a very resigned look. "We had lost a lot of guys. The odds were against me."

Jerry gave the episode an overall great rating saying it had that mix of combat and life as a Marine.

We were getting together this Sunday for a big gathering of Jerry's Marine Corps buddies from Providence Police Marines. However it has been postponed to to the last episode when we can gather everyone and head for Chow and them back to view the last episode with Jerry.

Stay tuned to WPRI Channel 12 with Walt Buteau, Jerry and his son Steve Sherlock for "Street Stories."

" My answer as to why the Marines get the toughest jobs is because the average Leatherneck is a much better fighter. He has far much more guts, courage and better officers... These boys out here have pride in the Marine Corps and fight to the end no matter what the cost.

2nd Lt. Richard Kennard USMC, Peleliu, World War Two

Preview - Street Stories - Friday 4/30/10

2010-04-28T22:38:00.000-04:00

Here is the WPRI-TV preview to the piece they are doing on Jerry's Story this Friday.

Did you know Donald Hallman, Jr - 4th Division Marines, 1st JASCO?

2010-04-22T05:27:00.004-04:00

I received an email with the following contents:

My mother in law's uncle was Donald Hallman, JR. he was killed when he was 17 years old on Iwo. He was a member of the 1st JASCO, I don't have the exact unit he was in but I do have a copy of his casualty card that I have attached. Buddy, as he was known to the family, enlisted at around 15, some of the letters (and I do have access to them just not at this time) said that everyone under the rank of CPT knew about his age...he also mentioned some kind of training accident that occurred while training for Iwo...from what I can tell by adding bits and pieces together I think he was also on Saipan as he mentions being on the cover of a magazine. Would you please ask Jerry if he ever heard of Donald? it would mean a great deal to my mother in law. Buddy was from Texas and his father was also in the Corps as a combat correspondent...he lost a leg at Peleiu and he and his son (Donald Jr.) were featured in Stars and Stripes or one of those type papers as being one of the few father/son marines.

ANYTHING Jerry may know about Donald "Buddy" Hallman,Jr. would be great!!

Unfortunately, Jerry does not recall Donald.

The 1st Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO) while a single unit was deployed in smaller groups to support different battalions within the 4th Division. Jerry was associated with the 3rd Regiment, 25th Battalion and they went ashore on Iwo Jima in the Blue section of the beach.

Maybe other visitors of this site will know of someone who did know Donald.

If you do, please contact me. I'll connect you with the family of Donald who will be most grateful.

Jerry soon to be one of the "Street Stories"

2010-04-21T22:26:00.001-04:00

Walt Buteau, reporter for WPRI - Channel 12 in Providence, contacted us today to record a segment for a future "Street Story." Arrangements were made and Jerry talked with Walt for about an hour about his experiences in the Pacific, how the blog started, etc.

If all goes according to schedule, the segment should be broadcast on Apr 30th at 6:15 PM. It will also be re-broadcast on Saturday morning at 7:40 AM for you early birds.

If you can't catch the live broadcast, don't worry. It will also be posted to the Facebook page for "Street Stories" and we'll make sure to get a copy or at least a link to post it here.

Episode 6 Pacific

2010-04-19T00:16:00.005-04:00

18 April 1942 Lt. Col. James Doolittle USAAF with 16 B-25 Bombers and 80 Airmen launch from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and strike Japan.

I asked Jerry if he remembered much about the incident.

"Well it was in the papers about the raid. I was a junior in high school. It was a big deal. Hey the military struck right at the heart of Japan."

On Pacific Jerry agreed water was a problem. He recalled on Saipan that his canteen got hit with shrapnel. When he brought a wounded Marine back to the beach he found a quick remedy for no canteen.

"I grabbed the wounded guys canteen. He didn't need it and I'd put it to good use." Simple shrug of the shoulders.

Guys getting hit.

"Well if a guy got hit several guys would jump up and carry the stretcher. Depending on the size of the guy we'd have two or four guys. There was never a shortage. I and others always felt that if we were hit, someone would take care of us in the same fashion. Plus it got you out of immediate gunfire for a few minutes. I'd try and get a hot cup of coffee and grab as much ammo as I could get, to bring back. We'd drop our packs and ammo belts and grab more at the beach head.'

"The LST's that beached or damaged would be set a up as an aid station. The serious cases would be taken out to the hospital ships."

Chamorro Prisoners at Saipan.

"We took a lot of Chamorro Prisoners. They were natives the island. The Japs had forced them into working for them. Myself and another guy were bringing Chamorro prisoners to a camp and a woman went into labor. The other guy said 'Have you ever birthed an animal?" "Ah gee no, I grew up in the city."

The other Marine said no sweat. He delivered the baby and I helped. I carried the baby back to the POW camp. The mother was in better shape then I was for God's sake. It was an experience watching the baby get born and helping."

The assault on the airfield on Pacific.

"The thing that strikes me the most is the guys bunching up. We were told that you shouldn't ever bunch up. Lot of guys together. One shell could take everyone out, or a machine gun could do alot of damage . But then you had the senior guys saying follow me or stay close."

"I remember one guy in combat running around hollering; ' I can't find my plate I lost my plate.' He had lost the base plate for the mortar. I was always glad I wasn't in the weapons section carrying the parts to the mortar or the machine gun. It was bad enough having to run like hell but to carry all that equipment..." Then that trade mark chuckle.

Jerry said it was a great depiction of combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Speilberg and Hanks have captured the moments well. When the Gunny said ' Check your ammo. What do you got and what do you need. Standby to standby." Jerry chuckled.

"Yeah, hey you were glad to have survived. Make a check of your equipment and grab a smoke if you could. You know they filled water in the jerry can. Then they put fuel in them. I think the Navy carted those cans all over the Pacific. God the water tasted like sh#@ from those cans."

Intelligence sources say Jerry was getting a little tired of the soap opera part with the girlfriends and other drama. Lets just say G2 had it on good authority.

Jerry was happy with Episode 6. The depiction of guys getting wounded and getting a corpsman up to treat them. The confusion during combat. Scouting up front and getting shot at. All things that Jerry has experienced first hand. He has that great sense of humor and laughs a lot about the crazy things that happened in combat.

He said that there were alot of guys from the southern states.

"They used to laugh like hell at my accent. They always got me to say; 'I parked my car in Harvard yard.' Those guys would fall over laughing. Saying a spoke funny. " Hey you guys should listen to yourselves. You sound pretty funny to me."

Jerry give tonight's episode high marks.

Stay tuned, G-3 (operations) is planning to have something special cooking for the episode covering the Invasion of Iwo Jima. Get together with some of Jerry's Marine buddies from the Birthday Ball for chow and them watching the show. Should be good!

"There are two kind of people who understand the MARINES. Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second hand opinion."
Unknown

Jerry and Paul "Frenchy" Lamoureux

2010-04-13T22:08:00.010-04:00

When Jerry's wife Rita was dying in November of 1983 Jerry and I spent along time late one night. The conversation drifted to the topic of being a Marine in World War 2. I learned somethings that night. Life lessons from a guy that I never expected to learn them from. I thought he was a simple accountant. Was I ever wrong. Yeah someone slap me in the back of the head now!

We touched on his experience from time to time. The conversations have expanded over the years. I'm still learning.

Back around 2004 his granddaughter, Avery Palardy, was given a project on WW2 by her teacher. The task, was that if you had a relative that had served in WW2 to interview and bring them in to class. The idea was to document and allow the students to learn about WW2.

In conversation one afternoon Jerry was pretty excited about the project and pulled me aside.

"Hey I was at the school and there were three other veterans there. We all started asking about each other. One guy was in the Navy, another in the Army Air corps and another in the Army. The guy in the Army and I started shooting the sh@#( we are g-rated here). I said I was in the Marines and he said he was a paratrooper. Easy Company, 2nd, Battalion 506th, 101st AIRBORNE." I replied " NO SH#%!"

Turns out he was Paul "Frenchy" Lamoureux of North Smithfield, RI. Frenchy was Dick Winters interpreter in Normandy or so the story goes. Frenchy parachuted into Ste Mere Eglise early on 6 June 1944. He was in Lt. Dick Winters "stick" jumping from the same C-47.

For you historians in the audience D-Day 6 June 1944 is always associated with the Invasion of Normandy. However On 15 June 1944 the 2nd MARDIV, 4th MARDIV and the US Army 27th Infantry Division invaded Saipan. The invasion fleet left England on 5 June. On the other side of the world, the invasion fleet was leaving Pearl Harbor for Saipan the same day.

Jerry and Frenchy became pretty fast friends in a short time. Each had become battle hardened in combat and tempered over the years building families and moving forward. Both came from large families. Jerry one of nine and Frenchy from a family of 13.

Jerry and Frenchy came of age in a time when this country was at war all over the world. In the words of a Special Forces NCO that I know; " ...those guys were in back when we actually won wars!" Truly the only way home was through Berlin and Tokyo.

Documents read "Duration of the war plus six months." Pretty straight forward.

They came back home, settled in and raised families. Both of their wives were named Rita.

Jerry and Frenchy never talked about the war to family. Merely saying that the other guys were heroes. The ones that never came home.

Frenchy has a son named Jerry and a daughter named Susan.

I learned of Frenchy passing away and called Jerry at home and broke the news. He was stunned. He spoke to me later in the day and had called Frenchy's phone. It tripped over to his son. His son confirmed that his father had passed away.

Jerry and I have spoken about the passing of Frenchy.

One of my friends sons graduated from West Point and was assigned to the 101st Airborne. He was being sent to Iraq. I asked Jerry to see if Frenchy would sign a Copy of Band of Brothers, by Stephen Ambrose. Frenchy had agreed to do it, but passed away before it could be accomplished.

I will say this, cherish the moments and the time you have with these vets. They are from an era where men and women did things and didn't complain. Great things. They fought in a dark time. They turned back the tide of tyranny. If you can learn anything from guys like Jerry and Frenchy, it is to draw strength from their hard fought lessons. In times were the guys to the left and right were the only thing that mattered. Those guys didn't always make it that two to three feet to cover. No rhyme or reason who got hit and who didn't.

Jerry always says he was lucky. He got home and raised a great family with a wonderful wife.

A common theme that I hear from vets of WW2 is the same thing. " The real heroes never came home." Each of them all tend to get that far away quiet look.

Here is to Jerry and Frenchy. Guys like them and guys that want to be like them.

OOrah and Curahee.

The audio recordings of the school reports by Jerry's grandchildren Avery, William, and Meghan can be found here:

National Museum finds Jerry's Story

2010-04-13T11:38:00.003-04:00

The National Museum of the Marine Corps has picked up Jerry's Story and posted a link to their Facebook Fan Page. Here is a screen shot of their posting:

Thank you for sharing Jerry's Story.

Welcome to all the visitors from the National Museum of the Marine Corps!

The recent entries are reflections captured by Frank as he and Jerry review "The Pacific" on HBO.
You can also dig into the archives for audio recordings of his story. You can choose the key words along the right column to get to particular entries.

Pacific Chapter 5

2010-04-11T22:44:00.010-04:00

Well again a couple of classic stories from Jerry tonight.

On Pacific Chapter 5 we saw Eugene Sledge and the replacements filter in to the camp. Bob Leckie came back with gifts of magazines, books and comic books.

Eugene Sledge hooks up with Sid Phillips. At one point as they are walking through the camp, I noticed a handwritten sign on a post that indicated the direction of the 4th JASCO. It was quick and Jerry didn't notice it.

John Basilone met up with his brother George in LA. George Basilone was wearing the 4th Division Patch on his blouse.

"There was a rumor John Basilone was come to the 4th. You know, the guy had a great reputation. Something like that, a guy might feel he has an obligation to to live up to that reputation. He certainly didn't have to prove anything. Part of me wonders if he took one to many chances. After Saipan and Tinian I was a little nervous. I had seen so many guys get hit. Hey, after Iwo Jima we were practicing pretty hard to hit the Japanese. I just felt my luck would have run out. I had been very lucky. So many guys..." Jerry said.

Jerry mentioned the land crabs were brutal. When he came ashore at Saipan he tore his dungarees and got a scratch on the front of his leg.

"I tore the pants from the top of the leggings all the way up to above my knee. I was very concerned about the crabs eating my leg. Yeah I wasn't too crazy about that."

On the landing at Peleliu, he shook his head in acknowledgement of the guys doing a low crawl up from the water.

"I did that and dug a fox hole behind a big tree about forty yards up from the beach. That tree was about nineteen inches in diameter. By the third day it was about the size of a twig. 'One day. We'll be all done.' the officers said. Famous last words." Then, that all too familiar chuckle.

"On Saipan my right leg went numb and I thought I had been shot. I reached down and my dungarees were all wet. I wiped my hand on pants and then licked my hand. Well it wasn't blood. Then I realized my canteen was shot and had leaked all over my leg. I had been laying on my side in one position that my leg had fallen asleep."

Japanese tanks. "Tanks. You got close and threw grenades into the treads. Pretty much did the job. Thank God they weren't bigger. At Iwo, it was different as far as tanks went. We didn't run across many of them. At least not my unit."

The Gunnery Sgt. The Gunny was running a firing line. A second lieutenant finishes and turns into the line with his weapon pointed at other Marines. The Gunny came unglued. He gives the "shave tail" a serious dressing down on firearms safety and etiquette of the pistol. He informs the LT where he will holster the pistol if it happens again. Jerry didn't intially pick up on it the violation. He was chuckling about the Gunny screaming at the LT. Then I pointed out the violation and Jerry started giggling pretty hard. The LT looks for some help from the Captain. The Captain reaffirms the Gunny.

"We had some guys who would scream and shout at you. They would be smirking and laughing. They were trying to help you. Then you had some guys who were just plain mean. They were some tough SOB's. You avoided guys like that as much as you could."

On guys taking the teeth of the dead.
"Well we had a lot of guys do that. Word spread pretty quick about the gold in the teeth. I couldn't leave my pliers down anywhere. If I didn't keep them on me, they'd be gone. It was well known that the all the Japanese had gold for fillings in their teeth. Some guys did strange things."

Overall pretty good episode. Jerry's number one complaint? It ends too quickly.

"Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two sizes big and mean, or skinny and mean. They're are aggressive on attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat!" RADM Jay R. Stark 10 NOV 1995

Marine Corps Weapons World War Two

2010-04-11T12:35:00.011-04:00

In Pacific we have seen the 1st MARDIV deploy to Guadalcanal with 1903 Springfield 03A3 in .30-06

The 30-06 was a .30 caliber round was a 150 grain bullet. Some experts from that era may chirp and say it was a 152 grain. Never the less the firing tables back then were out at 800 yards with iron sights. The 03A3 was a clip fed five round magazine bolt action rifle.

It was designed after the Spanish American War. The designs of the Krag and Mauser rifles were combined in a unique design for the time. It was first fielded along the Mexican border while Black Jack Pershing was chasing Pancho Villa. Teddy Roosevelt rejected the bayonet as it was a rod type. Having "seen the elephant" in Cuba he wanted a bayonet that was sturdy. The rifles had to be retooled. The bayonet was designated the m-1905 and was 16 inches in length.

Springfield was an accurate weapon. In WW1 the Germans thought they were under machine gun while facing the Marines. The fire was so accurate and at a distance of 800 yards the Germans were convinced they were up against Machine Guns. The deadliest infantrymen in the world. Marine Riflemen.

Hence the comment by one of the actors about going to war with his fathers rifle.

In 1936 the Army began looking for a new rifle and it began fielding the M-1 Garand. A gas operated piston rifle. More moving parts, but an 8 round ENBLOC clip made for a fast steady rate of fire. The Marines saw them when the US ARMY arrived on Guadalcanal. The Marines began seeing them in 1943 when they retrained in Australia.

Jerry remarked that he fired and trained with the M-1 at Parris Island. Much to his chagrin he complained that the sights were off and he was stuck with the score when he left boot camp. Upon arrival to Camp Lejuene he was issued an M-1 to take into combat. The usual load was about 120 round per man. (A Marine today in A-Stan carries up to twelve 30 round magazines for his M-16A4)

"Once I got to Hawaii and found out what my job was I got rid of it for an M-1 Carbine. I wanted a .45 Colt pistol but that didn't happen. I wanted to be able to carry more ammo and the Carbine was lighter but had a 15 round clip. Two magazines on the stock of the rifle and a couple more on my belt."

The .30 Caliber Carbine round was about 110 grains and was equivalent to something between a .38 Cal or .357 Magnum. Nothing real great for stopping power. When I asked Jerry about that he shrugged his shoulders and said:

"Well, we had a solution for that. We'd cut a cross in the top of the bullet. When it hit something it would expand like a hollow point."

Yeah, typical Marine solution. Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.

The Springfield was still a main stay with Scout snipers in the Marine Corps during World War II. Rangers in both the Pacific Theater Operations (PTO) and European Theater Operations (ETO) would carry the Springfield for certain operations.

The Carbine eventually was issued with an infra red scope and battery pack to the Marines when they hit Okinawa. It was the forerunner of Night Vision. Great weapon system for the time.

Today a Marine Rifleman can utilize an ACOG scope with a Night Vision Device and hit out to 800 meters with his M16A4. While out at Gunsite, I worked with two Marine Corps Warrant Officers. They just shake their heads in awe of guys like Jerry. However they did say, the 18 year old Marines of today are just as accurate and handy as their predecessors.

Last Sunday I hauled out an M1 Garand and an M1 Carbine. Jerry chuckled when he held the Garand he remarked

"Eight Rounds, nine pounds."

Hmm, where did that pop out from. Old habits die hard I suspect.

Jerry quickly gravitated to the Carbine and his eyes lit up. It's been some time but he handled it true fashion. Safe Direction, checked the safety and that the chamber was open. He popped it to his shoulder.

"My eyesight isn't what it used to be. I could fire this one handed if I had too back then. When are we going out to shoot?"

Well, we'll get out to the range. Let's see if Steve Sherlock can do another live feed!

Heading out to see Jerry later on today. Another great night to look forward too.

BTW I brought back a new cover and shirt for Jerry from the National Museum of the Marine Corps. I brought the same cover back for Steve Cileli. Reports so far is that Jerry and Steve have been wearing their new cover all week.

"The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle."

General John Pershing Commander American Forces in World War 1.

Pacific Chapter 4

2010-04-09T22:15:00.003-04:00

Follow up to Sunday night's episode. Little Late I had to travel to DC and a long week of training.

Jerry came for Easter Dinner. The Palardy's dropped off Jerry enroute to URI with Oliver. Great dinner. We were able to surprise Jerry with something special. I was able to locate a 4th Marine Division (MARDIV) Book online. It was a little weathered but in good shape. Jerry's original copy is a little battered from constant use and changing of hands. He was extremely happy and promised to take good care of it. Jerry has to take Steve Cileli and I out for lunch. That was the deal.

Del Brouillard, Rita's uncle was a veteran of the 4th MARDIV, who got hit at Iwo. Jerry never knew him until after the war. Del didn't receive a book as a command decision was made to only give a copy to the guys who mustered out at the end of the war. A photo of Del dated 1944:

Jerry said that the KIA guys families didn't receive a copy as it may have proven to much of a painful reminder. The wounded guys didn't get one either.

While watching the show Jerry chuckled,

"Great ad for anti-smoking. Everyone smoked back then just like in Pacific. A carton of smokes was .50 cents. God, we threw out our gas mask to make room for cigarettes and socks. Profits from those sales paid for the Book."

I had to go to Washington early Monday and told Jerry I was headed for the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He immediately gave me pointers on the visit. Must see, The LCVP ride into Iwo. He said that when he went, he was standing between his sons and when the shells passed over head, it was pretty realistic for an expert like himself. He said it was a must do. He was right.

Bob Leckie and the 1st MARDIV hit Cape Gloucester, close combat and sickness set in. Rain was constant. Many of the troops were done in. Jerry did say guys handled it differently. One guy named Sherlock, from Syracuse, NY. ( No relation.) had an issue at the end when the 4th was heading home from Pearl Harbor. Sherlock was a pretty fearless Marine and good in combat, Jerry said.

"It shook us that he had an issue at the end. Far from combat and close to shipping home."

Not much was said overall about stress back then. It was called combat fatigue. The theory was to treat the guys close to the front line and try and get them back quick. We know now that stress effects people differently. Some of the World War Two vets had issues that were never addressed and suffered. It is handled much differently now. Servicemen and women are encouraged to talk it out and work through the emotions of combat. Jerry said that it probably should have been done back then but the events of the time were ever evolving and that stress was not an import issue at the time. Winning a World War and defeating the AXIS powers was the task at hand.

I've known Jerry for most I've my adult life. In our talks I've realized he has experienced close quarters combat for extended periods of time. If you have read anything about combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations it was brutal, close, and at times hand to hand.

I doubt most of you can envision Jerry as a battle hardened Marine Rifleman. Look at any picture of a Combat Marine throughout time and they all have a certain expression "The Look". From going over the wall at Peking, Belleau Wood, Guadalcanal, Peleilu, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Chosin Resevoir, Hue, Hill 881, Beirut, Afghanistan, Fallujah and places in between "THE LOOK". The Marines have spilled their share of Blood to keep this country free.

To hear Jerry say he walked off Iwo Jima with only 150 guys from a regiment of 900 strong is chilling. So the next time you complain about your mundane little life, stop. Think about all the service men and women who have sacrificed over time. What they have seen and done has changed them forever.

"You have never lived until you have almost died. And for those that fight for it, life has a certain flavor that the protected shall never know."

Truly if you know Jerry, he is a man who cherishes his family and is extremely proud of his sons and daughters. Material things don't mean alot to him. It's his family that has always remained important. Combat changes people and how they live their lives after speaks volumes to the strength of character.

"Freedom isn't free, but the Marine Corps will pay most of your share."

Ned Dolan

Jerry's Story (video)

2010-03-29T05:22:00.000-04:00

The video that Steve Cileli put together for Jerry's talk at the VA Home in Bristol, RI can be viewed here:

Jerry's Story of Iwo Jima from Jerry Sherlock on Vimeo.

Related posts can be found here
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2010/03/photos-from-va-home-32510.html

http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2010/03/va-home-jerrys-story.html

Pacific Part Three Sunday Night

2010-03-28T23:26:00.004-04:00

Another great night watching Pacific. I got a few questions in to Jerry.

What branch of the service was Paul Brousseau in.

"He was in the Army and served in Europe. He had a brother that was in the Army. He was killed, I think, in Italy."

How about Vin Campbell?

"Oh he was in the Army. He was a mechanic. I met him at Fort Shafter. You know Fran went out to California and just missed him. He was on a boat for Hawaii. He couldn't get off. She said she would have married him in California!"

Jerry was asked at the VA why he and others didn't talk about the War. He told me he responded.

"No one would believe what I had been through. They'd never understand what happened. We just moved on with our lives. I think the government made a mistake. They should have taught the history and told in schools, what happened in 1946 after the war ended."

Jerry chuckled about the MP's showing up at the bar. When the bottles started coming there way he began laughing.

"I was involved in a couple of those. As an MP. I was teamed up with a Sailor. At any given time, you'd have 70,00 sailors and Marines on liberty. I was told to report to the Provost Marshal. Geez, I just started this and I'm already in trouble. Turned out his name was Cardi and he was from Pawtucket. I went to school with his brother!"

Jerry remarked about the Marines being issued Garands in Australia. When he got to Camp Lejuene he was issued a Garand. Jerry said alot of the Snipers carried Springfields. Once Jerry got his assignment in Hawaii for 1st Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO), he requested a Carbine. Jerry and two others were issued the Carbine.

He fired the Garand for record along with the Carbine. He did shoot the Browning Automatic Rifle, .30 Caliber MG and the .50 Cal Browning M2. In case something happened he could operate those weapons. He shot the 1911A1 Colt .45 ACP Pistol. His buddy Jones had a Colt .44 Single action pistol. Jones was a cowboy from Colorado.

"Jones was good with that pistol. He used it to shoot animals back home."

What happened to Jones I asked. Jones was killed at Iwo Jima. Jerry recounted his time with Jones and he on Iwo. Semper Fi JONES.

Liberty. Jerry got liberty from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.

"I never ran int any barbers that were men in Hawaii. They were all women. So one of them asked me to go to a dance at her church. I went to the dance and it was getting around 9:30 or so. We headed back and were trying to hitch a ride. Bad idea. The jeep that stopped, it was my commander. 24 hours of extra duty." Of course Jerry starts laughing.

Guys were lucky to go to Australia. Jerry said that a lot of girls from Australia and New Zealand married Marines.

Oh by the way. Jerry says you can make a great cup of coffee in a Steel Pot. The M1 Helmet! He forgot to mention that at his presentation at the VA.

On Steve Cileli.

"You can tell Steve is MARINE. I don't care where you go, that guy is the epitome of MARINE. He is just so squared away. He was like guys I served with. You know that were ever you went, there are some guys that stand out as MARINES. Everything he does, the way he does it. He's a MARINE! He just is."

The Marines of the 1st MARDIV are shipping out for a mission in the Pacific. John Basilone has gotten the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMH). Basilone is headed Stateside to raise money for the war effort. Jerry says it's getting good!

"Goodnight Chesty Puller whereever you are."

Recommended reading by Jerry: "Goodbye Darkness: A Memoir of the Pacific War." William Manchester

Photos from the VA Home, 3/25/10

2010-03-28T07:26:00.001-04:00

Here are some still photos to recap Thursday's event at the VA Home in Bristol, RI

Jerry is on a roll with his story:

Jerry's sisters; Helene, Angela, and Martina were there. Niece Kelly was their driver for the day.

Jerry and Frank share a comment during the movie portion of the presentation

Steve Cileli spent hours on research and put together the video for the presentation:

Thanks to Toni Acampora at the VA Home for helping to coordinate the event!

The Sherlock men

2010-03-27T05:51:00.001-04:00

For at least one family gathering, the men sat around the kitchen table. In order left to right are Henry, Paul, Ted, Paul Brousseau (married to Angela), Vin Campbell (married to Fran), Dad Sherlock, and Jerry.

Maybe later the same day, this time along a couch: Dad Sherlock, Paul B, Paul, and Ted

How is it the same day? Dad Sherlock has the same time, Paul has the same suit/tie combo. Paul B took off his tie, and so has Ted. Both were known to like to relax that way.

Martina and Jerry

2010-03-26T07:25:00.003-04:00

While eating with Martina and Jerry they spoke about getting permission to get into the war effort.
Jerry said that his parents refused to give him permission to join. " Ma said NO"
Martina then related the same thing." Oh, Ma refused to give me permission to go as a nurse."
She turned to me with the trademark Sherlock grin. I appealed to her as a mother. "But Ma if all the mothers of nurses told their daughters no, what would happen? Who would take care of all the boys? What would happen to Jack, Ted and Jerry?" Talk about your Irish guilt!

Mrs. Sherlock relented. Martina did add; " Well I didn't need permission as I was old enough. Times were different though I needed my mothers permission."

Jerry then said that he told the recruiter that his mother wouldn't give permission. The recruiter told Jerry that the Government would be drafting in September of 1943 and you never knew what would happen. She relented and Jerry was accepted for the Marines and went to Parris Island Recruit Depot in October of 1943. I suspect it was a little more complicated then that.

I am reminded after taking Jerry to see "Saving Private Ryan" I spoke to Jerry the next day and we spoke of some things that remain personal. However the one thing that stands out is like the fictional Mrs. Ryan, Jerry said Mrs. Sherlock had a banner with stars for Martin, Jack, Ted, Henry and Jerry. He said it must have been pretty hard on his mother. He considers himself very fortunate. Large families separated with members all over the world defending freedom. They all came home.

We tend to forget in our iPhone, Blackberry driven world of instant communications and take a lot for granted. Jerry and Martina spoke of getting mail from home. Times were different.

So the next time you voice or memory dial, take a moment to think of Mrs Sherlock in the dark days of the War with her children in far flung places. Never knowing.

Have a great day! Thanks Martina, Jack, Ted, Henry, Jerry, Fran, and of course Vin Campbell.

Paul

2010-03-26T05:46:00.000-04:00

How close alike did the Sherlock men look? Close enough that Jerry had identified the man in the center of this photo as himself. Yet, upon further review, other family members are agreeing it is Jerry's brother Paul posing with their father and mother.

Clues to how this was really determined? The uniform cap was Army not Marine. Paul was in the Army, Jerry in the Marines.

The building behind is apparently named the Fort Devens Elementary School. Family members agree that Mr and Mrs Sherlock did visit Paul up at Fort Devens before he was sent overseas to Paris.

Henry, Mart and the imp herself

2010-03-26T05:39:00.000-04:00

Jerry's brother and sister: Henry and Martina pose with young Paula Brousseau. The writing in pencil on the back of this original says "Henry, Mart and the imp herself. You can see from the position that Paula is in one of her rare moods and is just about ready for anything."

The pencil handwriting is similar to others found thus far which indicate that this was written by Jerry's mother Mary. Yes, to keep the record straight Mary was also mother to Henry and Martina, and grandmother to Paula.

D+35 Iwo Jima

2010-03-25T21:30:00.013-04:00

My brother-in-law, Frank Moody left the comment below on the VA Home posting that really deserves to get full space here:

D+35 Iwo Jima: Marines are in the last stages of eliminating Japanese resistance. Combat is winding down and the Island will be declared secure in another day. Planes are landing on the airstrip. Heavy Bombers are set to strike at the heart of the Imperial Empire. PFC. Sherlock will take a hike up Suribachi "to see what the big deal is all about." In typical Marine fashion he gave a quick look and went back down to the beach. " I had to see it." He gives that Sherlock chuckle, a quick shrug of the shoulders and says " I wasn't really sure what the big deal was!"

In Europe, Jerry's brother Jack is somewhere in the ETO with the US ARMY fighting against the Germans.

Operation Varsity was launched yesterday. The British 6th Airborne and US 17th Airborne have jumped into Germany securing two Bridges across the Rhine. It is the last large scale Paratrooper Assault of the ETO.

Members of the 82 and 101st Airborne are preparing to push forward and then prepare for the BIG DROP. TARGET: TOKYO.

Jerry is concerned about the next assault int othe Japnese Home Islands. However events on Iwo and Okinawa will change the overall plan of the WAR.

It was pleasure eating with Martina Higgins and Jerry today at the VA Home. Steve Sherlock as well. Jerry made a point to buy lunch for Steve Cileli and myself.

I must give Steve Cileli a great amount of credit. Steve took the time to create the video to accompany Jerry's talk at the Vet Home today. Steve is a Marine Infantryman as well as my partner. We screened the video for Jerry this week and Jerry gave signal operating instruction (SOI) to add some things about Parris Island and the campaigns of Saipan and Tinian.

Each time I listen to Jerry I learn alittle more about the events on Iwo.

Again I must thank Steve Cileli for the great work he put in to the project. Steve Sherlock has done a great job putting this site together. It tells the journey of a truly extraordinary man who just considers himself a simple guy. Far from it folks. A certain President said of the Marines "Some people spend a life time wondering if they made a difference. But Marines don't have to worry about that problem!"

Semper Fi PFC Gerald F. Sherlock
1st. Joint Assault Signal CO.
25th Marines 4th MARDIV and to your fellow Marines

VA Home - Jerry's Story

2010-03-25T12:40:00.004-04:00

This was recorded at the VA Home in Bristol, RI when Jerry gave his talk on his experiences in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

As the talk was at the VA Home, the periodic announcements could not be turned off. With a little luck, after a while, you won't hear them and be able to listen to Jerry.

The video shown at the end of his prepared remarks will be made available for viewing here shortly.

Grandma King and Ted

2010-03-25T07:38:00.000-04:00

There is pencil writing on the back of this original. Apparently from Jerry's mother Mary. She wrote that "Grandma still thinks Ted is the (cats)"

When discussing this picture at the Sherlock brunch this week: Helene, Angela and Jerry agreed that while all the boys helped Grandma King with chores and errands, Ted always got the best reward. Grandma would give him the apple to "divide in three halves" and a nickel or dime that no one else got.

Grandma King was also fond of saying "the yard is wide" - meaning go out and play. Not far from what I heard when growing up about going to "play in traffic".

Sherlock photos from the archives

2010-03-25T07:32:00.001-04:00

I have started going through the archive of photos that Jerry had in his possession. I have found quite a few gems thus far and am sure to find some more.

One can see why Jerry was attracted by Rita:

A Sherlock gathering: Mary (Ted's wife), Angela, Paul, Mary (King) Sherlock - mother to Angela, Paul, Jerry et al... and Rita

Special treat Thursday

2010-03-22T05:56:00.000-04:00

Jerry will give a talk on Thursday at the VA Home in Bristol remembering World War II in the Pacific. We found this photo of Jerry from that time (1944-1945). In those days, Jerry was lean to say the least. He does not recall exactly where this photo was taken other than "somewhere in the Pacific".

With some preparation and a little luck, Jerry's talk with be broadcast on his new UStream channel as well as recorded for review on demand.

Jerry's sister Martina is currently living at the VA Home and was key to helping organize this event. The archives turned up this photo of Martina posing with her mother and father; Mary and John Sherlock. The photo location was identified as outside the Sherlock home on Coyle Ave in Pawtucket, RI.

Put a place on your calendar to come back here on Thursday, March 25th at 1:30 PM to view the live broadcast of Jerry's talk. If you can't make it at that time, we'll be recording it and have it available for viewing after Thursday.

D + 26

2010-03-19T15:25:00.000-04:00

My brother-in-law Frank submitted this as a comment but it deserves the full light of a post:

D Plus 26.
The Marines have repulsed heavy Japanese counter attacks on March 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Check out this site
http://www.historyanimated.com/Iwo.html

The Marines have pushed the Japanese into the Northern Corner of Iwo. It is called Cushman's Pocket after the Marine Officer in charge of eliminating resistance. This assault will continue through to March 24.

Six Medals of Honor are awarded in this area alone during the fighting.

While waiting for The PACIFIC on Sunday (broadcast on HBO), Jerry described pushing forward and remembers going up by the airfields. Jerry believed his unit came across a fourth airfield that was under construction.

Gunfights are pretty rough right now in A-Stan with the Marines. They only last a few hours. The Marines of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Divisions have been in combat for 26 days. No showers, no toilets and a helmet for their pillow.

The Sherlock Grandchildren should count themselves lucky. Jerry is a simple man who participated in one of the hardest campaigns of World War Two. Very few people understand what these guys went through, where Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue.

So if you are a Sherlock Grandchildren, take a moment to read up on Saipan, Tinian and Iwo.

We are all very lucky. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have you.

Semper Fi Marines!

Day 17 of the battle for Iwo Jima

2010-03-08T16:47:00.000-05:00

The US Marines landed the black sandy shores of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. Four days later, they raised the flag on Mt Suribachi but the fighting continued until March 26th before the island was declared secured.

If I counted correctly, today would be Day 17.

Dodging gunfire, helping wounded comrades, sleeping here and there in a fox hole. Always on the alert for the enemy.

Jerry landed on the 19th. By this time, he had been in combat for 17 days. When would it end? No one knew then that it would go for another 18 days. He did not leave the island until March 27th.

Thank the veterans of Iwo Jima for their service!
Thank all veterans for the comforts we have and enjoy!

Joyal Brunch

2010-03-08T07:54:00.000-05:00

First Sunday of the month and the Joyal Brunch was held at the Wright's Farm in Harrisville, RI. Long known for it's family style chicken dinners, the restaurant was in full operation on Sunday.

We arrived just as it opened and we seated quickly. As we left, the waiting area was full with more arriving. They are quite efficient so I don't believe the wait was long. The food and value is well worth the wait!

A change since the last time we were there. The paper cup ice cream dessert has now been replaced by a chicken logo'd slice of vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Cute idea!

On the family update front:
Albert is scheduled for a triple by-pass on Friday March 12th. Your prayers will be welcomed.

Jerry is scheduled to talk about his experiences in the Pacific Theater during WWII at the VA Home in Bristol, RI on the March 25th. With a little luck , the talk will be broadcast via the internet and available here both live and then in a recorded version.

Iwo Jima Association

2010-03-02T07:56:00.000-05:00

The battle raged on Iwo Jima 65 years ago today. The landing took place on Feb 19th and the fighting continued for 35 days.

The Iwo Jima Association has a website with good info and a great photo gallery!

There are two books of photos reproduced. It takes time to view them as there are shots of the photo and of the accompanying caption.

You can choose to view as a slideshow and then go back to look for the caption on specific photos.

Volume 1

Volume 2

Take your time viewing. The shots are quite impressive. I'll sit with Jerry soon to show him this and get his comments. There are quite a few photos just in the first part of Volume 1 referencing the 4th Marine Division that he was part of.

remembering Iwo Jima

2010-02-24T10:49:00.000-05:00

The attack on Iwo Jima started on the 19th of February, 1945. After a couple of days, the scene on the beach was much like this picture:

There are over 100 more photos like this in an album on Picassa of Iwo Jima and mostly of P51 fighter pilots and their activity during the battle.

Click through this link to view the pictures Mark has made public

Remember Iwo Jima

2010-02-19T06:41:00.000-05:00

On this day 65 years ago, the assault on Iwo Jima started. The battle lasted 35 days. Some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific Theater took place before it ended.

Jerry was part of the 1st Joint Assault Signal Company, 4th Marine Division that went ashore in the Blue 1 sector. He was also one of the lucky ones who walked off the island.

He has told us many times, "The real heroes did not come back".

On this day and for the next 35, let's remember all who served in the Pacific Theater, in particular those who served on Iwo Jima.

If you would like to know more about Iwo Jima, the book by James Bradley "Flag of our Fathers" is well worth the reading time. There are two movies by directed by Clint Eastwood, one based upon the book and one from the Japanese point of view that deliver a credible rendition of the battle. Jerry said, "it was very much like that." Flag of our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima

Jerry talked about Tinian and the recovery on Hawaii before going to Iwo Jima in this audio

Jerry clarifies his statements about life in the foxhole in this audio

Jerry talks about the 1st Joint Assault Signal Company

PC Friars

2010-02-18T09:59:00.000-05:00

Dad and his brothers used to have season tickets for the Providence College Friar basketball games. As the season ticket prices increased, including a charge "for the privilege of being a season ticket holder", they stopped. Now with two of his brothers passing on, I try to take Dad to a couple of games. We didn't get to go last year due to Dad's health problems but he can get around well enough now. We saw the Friars play West Virginia Wednesday evening.

Technically the first half was a basketball game but I am not sure what PC was doing. There was a passive attempt at defense and no cohesion on offence at all as they found themselves down by 20 at the half.

The second half was slightly different as their full court pressure defense actually was active and caught West Virginia by surprise. They ended up quickly cutting the margin to 10 scoring on defensive turnovers. Their offense continued to be non-functional from a team-perspective. They would come down, make one pass and the player would go one-on-one. If they got in trouble, they would look to make a desperation pass, otherwise, the other four stood around waiting to see what would happen. Occasionally, the player would get fouled. More often than not, he'd miss, WV would get the rebound and with four or five passes get an easy score. The deficit got to just six points twice during the second half but each time WV got its act together and pulled away.

The Friars were at a size disadvantage but didn't play like a team at all to compensate. We are due to return for another game later this season. I wonder what we'll see then.

There is too much hoopla around the Friars glory days. I realize that college basketball is now an event and not just a game. This team did not play anything like its predecessors and the hoopla was embarrassing.

Note: this was also posted to Steve's 2 Cents

Brouillard Brunch - 2/14/10

2010-02-15T10:22:00.000-05:00

Dolores and I took Jerry to the Brouillard Brunch on Sunday, Feb 14, 2010. This gathering was at Savini's in Woonsocket, RI.

A table of family, good food and conversations!

The birthday cake was to celebrate Diane and Helen's recent birthdays.

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-01T07:48:00.000-05:00

Wishing all the best to all for 2010!

Jerry's Family Christmas Gathering

2009-12-28T20:57:00.001-05:00

Jerry got to have Christmas dinner with his six kids and their kids. A total of 27 sat for dinner with one grandchild already having left to catch a plane home to CA.

Jerry and the "kids":

Jerry and the "boys":

Jerry and the "girls":

The "outlaws":

Stephen's family:

Robert's family:

Michael's family

Eileen's family

Joan's family

Patricia's family

the grandkids 1

the grandkids 2

the grandkids 3

Jerry and the grandkids 1

Jerry and the grandkids 2

Enjoy!

Brouilland Christmas

2009-12-14T06:11:00.000-05:00

Jerry went to the Brouillard monthly gathering, this time celebrating Christmas with a great potluck table of food and desserts followed by a Yankee swap.

This photo depicts the variety of foods available, all very good and worthy of 'seconds'.

Joyal Family brunch today

2009-12-06T19:21:00.001-05:00

Joyal Family brunch today, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Jerry had baked scrod for brunch today at Darling's in Seekonk.

Mariette, Albert, Helen, Ann and Fred were there. I recorded a Christmas and New's Year's greeting from the group for the family and will post it soon.

Semper Fi birthday!

2009-11-15T13:12:00.003-05:00

Jerry's son-in-law, Frank Moody, sent along these pictures of Jerry at the recent Marine Dinner. Frank writes in the email:

These are some photos from the 234th Marine Corps Birthday Dinner. My Partner Steve has taken your Dad now for the last three years. He sits with the Providence Police Marines. I have to tell you, I'm not sure who looks forward to it more. Them or your Dad. One of the guys has posted the photo of the CREW on Facebook. He refers to your father as the elder gentleman who was at Iwo Jima. He equates the evening as dining with a ROCK STAR!

Needless to say, Jerry did have a good time.

The cake:

Note: The icing was 'corrected' to show the proper year.

Jerry and Steve Cileli:

The full table of Providence Police (all former US Marines) with Jerry:

Semper Fi!

Brouillard brunch - logo chocolate

2009-11-08T16:47:00.004-05:00

Andy brought some chocolate with the Pepin's Hospitality Centre logo on it to share after our monthly get together this time at Wright's Farm.

Brouillard brunch - logo chocolate from Andy's work, originally uploaded by shersteve.

I had intially propped the chocolate against my coffee cup to take this photo, then realized the chocolate was melting from the heat of the hot coffee. The water glass was a safer prop.

What is the Brouillard's recipe for getting rid of stress?
A great big ol'fashioned family gathering. The table had 18 today. Wright's Farm did it's usually good family style chicken dinner and we were out in about an hour.

Oh, the chocolate was delicious!

Karen Sherlock

2009-10-26T06:04:00.001-04:00

SHERLOCK, KAREN, 55 of 1 Dawn Hill Drive, Bristol and formerly of Pawtucket died on Saturday.

She was born in Providence, a daughter of the late Edward P. and Mary J. (McNamara) Sherlock.

She leaves two sisters, Christine Sherlock of Rumford and Mary Frances Sherlock of Pawtucket and a wonderful extended family.

A funeral will be held on Wednesday at 9 AM from the CHEETHAM MORTUARY, INC., 1012 Newport Ave., Pawtucket with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Margaret Church, 1098 Pawtucket Ave., Rumford. Burial will be in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket. www.cheethammortuary.com

-----

This was originally in the Providence Journal online here

Jerry's WWII Medals

2009-10-21T08:28:00.001-04:00

The Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal
http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/apcm.shtml

American Campaign Medal
http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/acpm.shtml

World War Two Victory Medal
http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/ww2v.shtml

Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
http://www.usamilitarymedals.com/marine-corps-good-conduct-medal-ww-ii-style-c-2072_1545_746.html?ummID=a9b61e37677fb3b5123d8b2a7c3865c9

World War II Victory Commemorative Medal
http://www.medalsofamerica.com/Item--i-230-AAFNMCG-GRID

Navy Unit Commendation
http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/navyucom.shtml

Iwo Jima Veteran Commemorative Medal
http://www.soldiercity.com/iwo-jima-veteran-commemorative-medal.html

Medal showcase

2009-10-04T05:56:00.002-04:00

Helen Geoffroy, sister-in-law on the Joyal side of the family, had Jerry's medals and ribbons put into this special case. Here Jerry holds the case:

Here is a closer photo of the full case:

Here is a closeup showing more details:

The photo is one of the few with Jerry in his US Marine Corp uniform from World War II. Who is he holding? Niece Paula Brousseau.

I'll get the descriptions of his medals and ribbons for another posting. I'll also take some more pictures on a day with better natural lighting. I was having some fun avoiding getting too much reflection in the glass covering the medals.

Military Honros - Jean H Joyal (video)

2009-09-25T08:45:00.001-04:00

The slide show and audio for this ceremony were shared here and here. I finally got around to completing the video compilation.

Military Honors - Jean H Joyal from Steve Sherlock on Vimeo.

I hope you enjoy!

Note: for those email subscribers, you will need to click through to the web page to view the video.

World War II Museum in Natick, MA

2009-09-24T06:59:00.000-04:00

In today's Boston Globe, there is an article on a WWII museum in Natick:

World War II ended 64 years ago, but it comes to life every time Kenneth Rendell turns on the lights inside a squat, nondescript building in Natick. Amid the glitz of nearby shopping centers, the exterior is purposely plain to protect the anonymity of the place and its treasure - an evocative and jaw-dropping collection of more than 6,000 wartime artifacts Rendell has gathered over four decades.

You can read the rest of the article here.

The museum website to schedule a visit can be found here.

Sounds like a place to take Jerry sometime!