I had an uncle that was in the NAVY. He was on the same kind of ship as the USS Vermilion in WWII. He drove the Higgins boats to the beaches in Europe for the invasions. How ironic, I used to control the waves of Higgins boats, to make sure they arrived exactly on time. I had a fifteen (15) second leeway. To early and our planes were bombing the beach to keep the enemy away. They would have been hit with friendly fire. To late and the enemy would have time to come out and shoot them. The enemy takes invading their country deathly serious. Our goal as well as theirs is to survive and destroy the enemy. In the words of Gen. Patton “You don’t win wars by dying for your country, you win the war by making that other Son of a b’ die for his country.”
I only found out what my Uncle did a few months before he died. I deeply regret that. I guess I was of the same mentally that we didn’t like to talk about that. I wish I had now. I would have wanted to know about his experiences. It would have helped me understand mine better.
I’ve been shot at a few times but there’s no comparison to the fire he went through. You’re being shot at from the beach you’re trying to get to. You have to go anyhow and deliver your soldiers to that same beach the fire is coming from, knowing some will be shot and killed. There are safety nets in place but all it takes is one bullet to get through.
Story by Perry Serrette. My uncle was Wesley “BB” Serrette. “Passed away at 94 years old.”
Are you kin to Dwight Serrette from Henderson? We worked together for Texaco in New Iberia in the 70’s.
Yes I am. We’re first cousins. Last I heard he was in Dallas.