Eddie Albert a real hero

[cortez kid]

Today we lost another great one. Eddie Albert. A good actor and a great veteran. I don't know the exact story, hopefully someone else does, but he was a captain of his own boat in WWII. He faced hostile fire to retreive stranded GI's ala John Kerry, only difference is that his story was real. You could tell by the way he would just mumble about it being nothing but the right thing to do. No big deal. The true measure of a great man. When you think about it, there were a lot of Hollywood stars that proved themselves in battle. You wouldn't see todays hollyweird actors lift a finger for the US of A. Except for Jonny depp. He made America better when he left.
good shootin
kid



[Edited for name change only]

 

[vis35]

I saw the interview with him on the History Channel; I think it was off Omaha beach.
I agree with your sentiments, when I heard that he had died, that interview was the first thing that came to mind, particularly with it being Memorial Day weekend.

 

[Lloyd Sloan]

Eddie Albert

With all due respect, I think you mean Eddie Albert, not Eddie Arnold. Albert died yesterday of pneumonia, at the age of 97 (born 1908), according to the bio I found in a google search. He was indeed a war hero, as well as a fine actor.

Here's an excerpt from the article I found:

"Albert was a genuine war hero. A thousand Americans and 4,800 Japanese lives were lost in bloody battle at Tarawa, a Pacific island, and Albert fought in the first wave of the three day combat. Afterward, he was ordered to salvage usable military equipment off the battlefield, and won his Purple Heart for finding and rescuing wounded men instead, who'd been abandoned under heavy fire."

From all reports, he was a good man. A full-fledged member of the Greatest Generation, who saved a lot of lives in the worst of conditions.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

According to Albert's family, he was 99; probably lied about his age to get into the Marines. He saved 70 or so Marines on that battle at Tarawa and was awarded the Bronze Star.

He was twice nominated for an Academy Award. Anyone else remember when Hollyweird was chock full of real heroes & patriots?

As Mr. Haney would have said (now say it in your bestest Pat Butram voice...) "Senator Kerry, have I got a genuine war hero here for you!"

Sam

 

[Wags]

Mr. Albert was indeed at the battle on the Tarawa atoll island Betio. He was a Naval Officer, not a Marine.

 

[Stinkyshoe]

Oh wow! Truly, what a hero. Thanks for posting this...let's remember all our men and women in uniform this weekend and everyday!

 

[JohnBT]

"Assigned as the salvage officer in the shore party of the second landing wave (which engaged in heavy fighting with the Japanese), his job was to examine military equipment abandoned on the battlefield to see if it should be retrieved; but what he found were wounded men who had been left behind under heavy fire. Albert took them off the beach in a small launch not designed for that task, earning commendations for his bravery.

He was awarded the Bronze Star with a combat 'V' for rescuing 70 Marines during the battle of Tarawa."

 

[cortez kid]

L.S you are most definatly right. Sorry about the mistake. He certainly deserves more. Kind of sad, all the good people I've known in my life are leaving us
kid

 

[dpesec]

Yes I agree

We are losing folks who sacrifaced many things in the cause of liberty. Sad so many today aren't willing to do anything but carp.
My hat goes of to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms who put others above self.

My question is what can and should we do to honor them......

Keep liberty's torch burning bright in our hearts......

 

[Mal H]

Thread title changed.

 

[Hutch]

Can't say I ever like the roles he played, but he was the real deal. Tarawa was hell, and he dealt with it. God rest his brave soul.

 

[PAshooter]

From my local paper today - The York (PA) Daily Record:

As a lieutenant junior grade, a reserve sailor fresh out of boot camp, Albert served on the U.S.S. Sheridan in the South Pacific. During the battle of Tarawa in November 1943, Marines swarmed the waters off the coast of the Gilbert Islands, wading toward the beaches under heavy Japanese fire. Hundreds were dead and wounded. Albert commandeered a small boat, dodging gunfire to rescue 79 of the wounded.

Here's the interesting part:

He received the Bronze Star, marked "V" for valor in combat during an October 11, 1997, ceremony at East Berlin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8896. George F. Thomas, then commander of the post and a veteran of the Battle of Tarawa, spent three years persuading the Navy to review Albert's actions. Then U.S. Rep. Bill Goodling, R-York County, who had lent his weight to Thomas' efforts, presented the star to Albert.

So he did, indeed, receive a medal for his heroic actions... more than 50 years after the end of WWII... thanks to the efforts of a local VFW commander.

God Bless all those members of The Greatest Generation who fought to preserve freedom, and saved the world from tyrrany. As they leave us one-by-one they are dearly missed.

God Bless those who fill their shoes today - their deeds are no less heroic.

Remember them all this Memorial Day weekend.

 

[Archie]

Godspeed, Mr. Albert...

Yeah, he was a good one. A truly brave man from an age of men.


But take heart folks. There are young men right now serving and doing deeds of unsung valor and bravery. Not all our young people are worthless whiners and snivlers. Some young enlisted man or junior officer may come back from Asia and get into the movies. Every thing cycles.

The valor and spirit of the United States will continue until the last one of us gives up. Pray God that will not happen.

 

[FPrice]

I knew when I heard that he had died that we lost a good man. But I did not know this about him. Thank you for honoring his memory by reminding us about his real life exploits.

 

[thatguy]

I know of a number of celebrities who were recognized for their military service. Charles Durning was awarded a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. Ted Knight earned five Bronze Stars during his Army service in WW II. James Arness also has a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. There are others.

I think Lt. Albert's story is particularly heart wrenching. He found a number of wounded Marines on the beach at Tarawa and took as many as he could back to the ship (I have read the number was 70). He returned as fast as he could but the rest had been killed by enemy firing while awaiting rersuce. It must have torn him apart to have been unable to save them all.