Another Memorial Day is approaching. Does not seem like it was that long ago that I wrote my annual blog. My Grandfather, Caleb Dooley, was in the Civil War. He was in an Indiana Regiment, and was mustered out of the Army somewhere in Texas.
Ralph Dean Dooley, my Father was in WWI. He was involved in may campaigns in Germany. He was too young to enlist, but somehow manged to do it. He tells of looking back, as the train pulls out, of seeing his aging father, gazing at him, Caleb, knowing of the horrors of war,going off to serve his country. My Dad tells of getting a break from his duties in a bunker, and going "topside" for a smoke. Some of his friends were playing poker on an ammunition box, and invited him to sit in. Instead, he walked off a way to spend some time in thought. A German shell dropped in the center off the box, killing all of those who were playing. His guardian angel was again looking out for him.
My Brother, Dean Shannon Dooley was in WWII, in the Submarine Service. After he graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, he went through a V-12 Program at Great Lakes and received his commission. He went through submarine training, and was assigned to the S-11. On one occasion, he was coming home on leave. We were anxiously awaiting the time to go pick him up, and we received a telegram. LOST ISWAS STOP BE HOME SATURDAY NIGHT STOP DEAN STOP We were concerned that he had lost his mind. Turned out an ISWAS was some sort of a device used on subs. IS here, WAS there.
I was in the Korean War, two years in San Diego in the Discipline Office, discharging the "bad boys" in the Eleventh Naval District. Did that for two years and then spent two years about the USS William Mitchell TAP114.
My Son Dean served during Viet Nam and my youngest Son Brad, was in Desert Storm, both in the Navy. Brad was in a Stinger Missile detachment aboard the USS Elrod.
We have done our share. I hope that my Grandchildren and their children never have to go through another war.
