When I was in high school many of my classmates’ fathers had been in Korea or their brothers were in Viet Nam. My dad had rheumatic fever and was left with a heart murmur, so he was 4F. This did not go over well in my home town. In the years before I was born, the “founding fathers” of that small town would write off to get him re-drafted, he’d have to go somewhere to be vetted and then sent home…and of course by that time he’d lost his job. Apparently he was not well liked. I was born in 62; I didn’t like him much, either.
We had a security guard at my high school in my junior year (‘83-’84) who was there while they were filming “Victory at Sea” as a sailor. Didn’t see him senior year, never knew why.
Apparently, a popular way to avoid being sent to Vietnam was to enlist and choose an MOS (specialty) that wasn’t in demand there. I had coworkers who did that. Another, an excellent athlete, was disqualified due to hemorroids.
We’ve been watching the old 1960s Documentary “World War 1” with Robert Ryan narrating. I’m suddenly realizing that it was almost certainly inspired by “Victory At Sea.”
Frankly, I’d think that Schroeder’s Grandfather would most likely have been in the Victory At Sea Orchestra! :)
Victory at Sea is a documentary television series about warfare in general during World War II, and naval warfare in particular, as well as the use of industry in warfare. It was originally broadcast by NBC in the United States in 1952–1953. It was condensed into a film released in 1954. Excerpts from the music soundtrack, by Richard Rodgers and Robert Russell Bennett, were re-recorded for record albums. The original TV broadcasts comprised 26 half-hour segments—Sunday afternoons at 3pm (EST) in most markets—starting on October 26, 1952 and ending on May 3, 1953. The series, which won an Emmy award in 1954 as “best public affairs program”, played an important part in establishing historic “compilation” documentaries as a viable television genre.
When I was a kid, everyone’s dad or uncle served in World War II. We all heard ABOUT the war (usually not many details) but had no appreciation for it until we got older.
My wife’s uncle lost a tank in World War II. He literally misplaced it. He had had malaria and a relapse. He apparently took the tank for a joy ride and forgot where he parked it.
Happy observed Veterans Day, and thank you to all the brave men and women who have served in the military! Your service is beyond appreciated and commendable.
One of my many regrets has been that I didn’t serve in the armed forces. I can say that I worked in the trenches of churches with one foot in the grave. But, at no time was my life in jeopardy.
To those that served in the armed forces of this great country, I salute you.
In addition to “Victory at Sea,” I recommend Dan Carlin’s “Supernova in the East.” Go to https://www.dancarlin.Com/hardcore-history-series/
My dad served in the Pacific Theater. Thankfully, he never saw action because Japan surrendered. Otherwise, he would have been part of the invasion force, and I most likely wouldn’t be here.
He heard stories about the Japanese forces from those American servicemen who had seen action, and he told me a little of what he had been told. It was horrifying, and Carlin’s series supports my dad.
World War 2 had different effects on different people, both my dad and father-in-law were in the Navy in the Pacific, my dad loved to tell stories about it but my father-in-law never said a word.
I got into genealogy in 2013. I had known my paternal grandfather had worked on PT boats in the Pacific, but also discovered my other one was in the Army. He got sent to New Guinea to help the Australians push the Japanese back cross the mountains away from Port Moresby. Horrible jungle fighting as bad as Guadalcanal, which got all the headlines at the time. They never talked about it, and had died before I started. It’s very common in genealogy; we regret we didn’t start sooner. They had stories, but we just didn’t know the questions.
My Dad was a B-17 tail gunner with the AAF— the Army Air Force, which is what the Air Force was called during World War II. Back in those days, 18 months in the AAF got him promoted to up to Staff Sergeant. He then earned his Bachelor’s degree courtesy of the GI Bill.
I remember the first time I saw an episode, in sixth grade in 1961. It was about aircraft carriers and it triggered a lifelong fascination with naval aviation.
“No Other Love,” a glorious hit song from 1953, was originally composed for “Victory at Sea.” It was an alluring tango called “Under the Southern Cross” for the documentary, then repurposed for a musical. “No Other Love Have I” is on my parents’ shared gravestone. It was their song.
mccollunsky about 1 year ago
Sounds like a guy who would have watched World War II in HD many times.
billyk75 about 1 year ago
Probaby on the A&E network,
Deleted Account2623 about 1 year ago
I knew she’d get an A!
Pongo ol’ Boy about 1 year ago
Lucy should be proud.
orinoco womble about 1 year ago
When I was in high school many of my classmates’ fathers had been in Korea or their brothers were in Viet Nam. My dad had rheumatic fever and was left with a heart murmur, so he was 4F. This did not go over well in my home town. In the years before I was born, the “founding fathers” of that small town would write off to get him re-drafted, he’d have to go somewhere to be vetted and then sent home…and of course by that time he’d lost his job. Apparently he was not well liked. I was born in 62; I didn’t like him much, either.
cdillon85 about 1 year ago
We had a security guard at my high school in my junior year (‘83-’84) who was there while they were filming “Victory at Sea” as a sailor. Didn’t see him senior year, never knew why.
wi3leong Premium Member about 1 year ago
Apparently, a popular way to avoid being sent to Vietnam was to enlist and choose an MOS (specialty) that wasn’t in demand there. I had coworkers who did that. Another, an excellent athlete, was disqualified due to hemorroids.
kelloggs2066 about 1 year ago
We’ve been watching the old 1960s Documentary “World War 1” with Robert Ryan narrating. I’m suddenly realizing that it was almost certainly inspired by “Victory At Sea.”
Frankly, I’d think that Schroeder’s Grandfather would most likely have been in the Victory At Sea Orchestra! :)
bmckee about 1 year ago
“Victory at Sea” had great music. Composed by Richard Rodgers.
SteveHL about 1 year ago
From Wikipedia:
Victory at Sea is a documentary television series about warfare in general during World War II, and naval warfare in particular, as well as the use of industry in warfare. It was originally broadcast by NBC in the United States in 1952–1953. It was condensed into a film released in 1954. Excerpts from the music soundtrack, by Richard Rodgers and Robert Russell Bennett, were re-recorded for record albums. The original TV broadcasts comprised 26 half-hour segments—Sunday afternoons at 3pm (EST) in most markets—starting on October 26, 1952 and ending on May 3, 1953. The series, which won an Emmy award in 1954 as “best public affairs program”, played an important part in establishing historic “compilation” documentaries as a viable television genre.
jagedlo about 1 year ago
Show the report to Peppermint Patty…that way she knows what an “A” looks like!
Ellis97 about 1 year ago
This is a pretty rare civil moment between Schroeder and Lucy.
VegaAlopex about 1 year ago
My paternal one was busy with his business but sent a son, and my maternal one was also too old, so he worked two jobs to help the war effort.
dflak about 1 year ago
When I was a kid, everyone’s dad or uncle served in World War II. We all heard ABOUT the war (usually not many details) but had no appreciation for it until we got older.
dflak about 1 year ago
My wife’s uncle lost a tank in World War II. He literally misplaced it. He had had malaria and a relapse. He apparently took the tank for a joy ride and forgot where he parked it.
Save Linus about 1 year ago
Happy observed Veterans Day, and thank you to all the brave men and women who have served in the military! Your service is beyond appreciated and commendable.
preacherman Premium Member about 1 year ago
One of my many regrets has been that I didn’t serve in the armed forces. I can say that I worked in the trenches of churches with one foot in the grave. But, at no time was my life in jeopardy.
To those that served in the armed forces of this great country, I salute you.
Decepticomic about 1 year ago
Only 12? Draft-dodging hippie.
jr1234 about 1 year ago
Veterans’ day today (bc it’s on a Saturday) AND tomorrow really.
Many war movies on
jr1234 about 1 year ago
I enjoyed this week’s storyline :D
jarvisloop about 1 year ago
In addition to “Victory at Sea,” I recommend Dan Carlin’s “Supernova in the East.” Go to https://www.dancarlin.Com/hardcore-history-series/
My dad served in the Pacific Theater. Thankfully, he never saw action because Japan surrendered. Otherwise, he would have been part of the invasion force, and I most likely wouldn’t be here.
He heard stories about the Japanese forces from those American servicemen who had seen action, and he told me a little of what he had been told. It was horrifying, and Carlin’s series supports my dad.
Darryl Heine about 1 year ago
Where can you currently watch “Victory at Sea”?
dbrucepm about 1 year ago
World War 2 had different effects on different people, both my dad and father-in-law were in the Navy in the Pacific, my dad loved to tell stories about it but my father-in-law never said a word.
dwagner200 about 1 year ago
I got into genealogy in 2013. I had known my paternal grandfather had worked on PT boats in the Pacific, but also discovered my other one was in the Army. He got sent to New Guinea to help the Australians push the Japanese back cross the mountains away from Port Moresby. Horrible jungle fighting as bad as Guadalcanal, which got all the headlines at the time. They never talked about it, and had died before I started. It’s very common in genealogy; we regret we didn’t start sooner. They had stories, but we just didn’t know the questions.
eced52 about 1 year ago
Find it hard to believe Schroeder didn’t have a grandfather that didn’t serve.
sallyseckman about 1 year ago
He wasn’t drafted?
DeaconJohnGiglioJr about 1 year ago
As a former Navy man (Korean Vet) I loved watching Victory at Sea so much I bought the entire series on DVD. Happy Veterans Day!
Jwhitcomb1966 about 1 year ago
My Dad was a B-17 tail gunner with the AAF— the Army Air Force, which is what the Air Force was called during World War II. Back in those days, 18 months in the AAF got him promoted to up to Staff Sergeant. He then earned his Bachelor’s degree courtesy of the GI Bill.
Curiosity Premium Member about 1 year ago
I remember the first time I saw an episode, in sixth grade in 1961. It was about aircraft carriers and it triggered a lifelong fascination with naval aviation.
KEA about 1 year ago
me, too
Mellow Cactus Premium Member about 1 year ago
“No Other Love,” a glorious hit song from 1953, was originally composed for “Victory at Sea.” It was an alluring tango called “Under the Southern Cross” for the documentary, then repurposed for a musical. “No Other Love Have I” is on my parents’ shared gravestone. It was their song.
raybarb44 about 1 year ago
Not really the same unless you were there but it’s good to remember all those that served and those especially who made the ultimate sacrifice…..
EXCALABUR about 1 year ago
Doesn’t qualify, sorry
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] about 1 year ago
I’ve seen Abbott&Costello in BUCK PRIVATES 30 times
John W Kennedy Premium Member 11 months ago
My father was Army/OSS (assigned to China), and my mother was supervisor of Pfizer’s penicillin quality-control lab.