My World War II Ancestors

The most recent war that my family fought in, unless you count the bloodless Cold War, was World War II. Both my paternal grandfather and my great-grandfather fought in World War II, and both of their stories deeply impact me today. Their stories: 

• Luther Allen Saddler Jr., paternal grandfather: He enlisted in the US Army on August 31, 1943, at Huntington, West Virginia, and had the service number of 35773482. Not much is known about his service except for little bits and pieces. On October 30, 1943, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph reported that Pvt. Luther Saddler had been transferred from Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana to the 16th armored division at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas for basic training. During the war, he served in France and Germany. He was part of the 987th Field Artillery Battalion, and was a TEC 5 (Technician 5th Grade, or Tech Corporal). During the war, he had an army buddy named Keith. He must have been close to him, as my father was given the middle name of Keith after him. When he died, he had a military funeral. My paternal grandmother remembers that the funeral was held inside the church, and when they got to the cemetery, the American flag was draped on his casket, taps were played, and they shot cannons. 

• John Washington Winn Jr., great-grandfather: His service is much better known. He enlisted November 5, 1940 and was discharged October 16, 1945. He served in Battery A of the 474th AAA. He fought at D-Day and at the Battle of the Bulge, and possibly participated in the liberation of Mittlebau-Dora Concentration Camp. He received many awards for his service, including 5 commendations for bravery, a Good Conduct medal, a medal for Sharpshooting, and most notably, a Purple Heart. He drove a Sherman Tank under recommendation from General Eisenhower. He was originally a Private, then a Corporal, and then a Staff Sergeant, but he was demoted and left a Private 1st Class. He almost froze to death in the mountains and got frostbite in his feet, and was hit in the leg with shrapnel. He drove a tank and he parachuted. He stormed a gestapo base and took home a photo of children saluting Hitler as a war prize, although this photo was later stolen. When he got back from the war, he threw his medals overboard. He didn't want them, as the war was extremely traumatic. He barely spoke about it. Evidence of how traumatic it was? He was one of only three men who came back alive from his original battalion. And he was the only one who came back with all his limbs intact. 

For those wondering why my great-grandfather was demoted to a Private? The Allies were trying to take a hill and the Germans kept waiving the white flag. When the Allies went to take over, the Germans would shoot them. The Allies were told not to shoot because of the white flag. He told his men to shoot them regardless if they waived the white flag.  They waved and his men shot on his orders.  This was a violation of the direct order that he had not to shoot.  He was brought in after the incident and was told that he had to apologize to his senior officer.  He said that he would not apologize to the SOB and didn't know that the guy was sitting in the back of that room. He was stripped of his rankings. 

RIP to everyone who died in World War II fighting fascist aggression and genocide. 

Credit to my great-aunt Michelle for these photos