A Veterans Day salute to a real American Hero
Under these circumstances, being an only son & man of the house he would never have been drafted to war but volunteered to fight for his lady as he called her "America". He volunteered not once but twice.
My Grandfather Claud W. Creech, born and raised in Harlan County Ky, served this country from July 1942 to February 1947. He was a member of the 10th Armored division known as The Fighting Tigers. He served under General George S. Patton during WWII and was one of many who were trapped for days in Germany during the Battle of Bastogne. Most people remember that the 10th Armored division were the ones who rode in to get the 101st Airborne out of Bastogne. After doing research and studying this I found that certain portions of the 10th Armored division were with the 101st while trapped in Bastogne through Christmas. My grandfather was among this group.
He received many more awards and medals than I can even count, some of which included:
The Purple Heart, WWII Medal of Victory, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), European, African & Middle eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, The Bronze Star Medal of Valor, and many others.
My brother has spent the better part of 18 months tracking down records, medals, and data. This has been a long and difficult road for him. It appears that most of his recoreds were burned in the 1973 fire at The National Personnel Records Center in Saint Louis, Mo.
My grandfather graduated and retired from this world in 1984.
More about Claud W. Creech
Getting to know my Grandfather
I barely knew my grandfather. He died in a Cincinnati OH Veterans hospital when I was still in Elementary School. I was too young at the time to understand what the man had been through in his life. I didn't understand why he got so upset if someone on the news put down our country or desecrated our beloved flag.What I did know of my grandfather were the trips to his home in Ohio. He lived in a trailor park, which I thought was beautiful. It had a small fishing lake in the center where he would let us kids fish for bluegill. He loved Cincinnati Reds almost as much as he loved to fish. He even went fishing with Pete Rose once. He would talk about those things for hours. However, If you wanted to hear about the war you had to wait until all the children were supposed to be asleep and sneak behind the door to listen. After listening you quickly wished you hadn't.
My Grandfather believed as many other soldiers that if Hitler were not stopped there would be no end to his tyranny. His cancer would spread eventually to the U.S. My grandfather believed that 'we are our brothers keeper' and that the genecide taking place had to be stopped at all costs. He like many before him and many after believed that Freedom is always worth the price.
Lest we forget those who bravely gave all for others!
Battle of Bastogne (Battle of the Bulge)
This documentary also gives details as to why it was called The Battle of the Bulge. If you do not watch another video on this page, please watch this one.
- When Weather changed History
- Here is a link to the full episode. I apologize that you couldn't watch it directly on this page but believe me its worth the time to watch.
Veterans Stories
- Pattons Christmas Prayer
- The Christmas Prayer of General Patton told by the Chaplain who wrote it.
- The fighting Tigers at Bastogne
- 10th Armored division credited for part in Battle of the Bulge.
- A Veterans Journal
- BASTOGNE December 1944 White Christmas Red Snow!
- John Mccain a hero
- First hand account 5 years in a POW Prison written in 1973.
- Harlan County Ky
- The town where my grandfather was born and raised.
- Kentucky's last surviving WWI Vet
- Dies in 2009 at the age of 108
What if Hitler had not been defeated
Other material well worth watching
![Battle of the Bulge [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BJYh9lMkL._SL75_.jpg)
The men who were there
Monument dedicated in Bastogne
My Grandfather
My Grandfather is a hero to me as are all of the other men and women who have fought for the basic freedoms that we so often take for granted.My grandfather lost part of his leg in Germany during the WWII, he spent several months in a military hospital in England.
He once said how his unit had been trapped and without food for days and the only food they could find was some graham crackers. The crackers had been soaked in Gasoline and couldn't be eaten so they ate snow in order to hydrate thier bodies.
The day of this writing is the eve of Nov. 11, 2008 Veterans Day. If your a praying person please take a moment to thank God for these brave souls who have long defended our freedoms and bought them with a price. Many are still defending those basic freedoms today. Pray for blessings and safty on all who have served and currently serve in the line of duty.
Growing up in depression
When boys become men
My grandfather was orphaned during the great depression. At this time no form of public aid was available. His mother had to care for 5 children the best way she could so she worked the small amount of land that she had. She grew most of the food, canned and raised chickens. What food they didn't have to keep would be sold for other needs. She was a remarkable woman (but that is another lens coming soon). My grandfather became a man at the age we call a tween today. He learned to work the land, faith and dependence on God, and became a very well known mechanic and garage keeper. After his return from war he opened a small garage for a few years in Evarts Ky. Then moved to Hamilton Ohio where he had a prosperous business maintaining and painting cars. Some of his regular customers included players for the baseball team he loved so well, The Cincinnati Reds.I've always regretted that I never got to spend more time with him and that I was so young when he died. Now that I'm older, I look back at the principals and strong patriotic beliefs that he held so dear, and I'm grateful that he cannot see what the country he bled for has become.
My hope is that someday he will get the opportunity to enjoy his great grandchildren he has never met in heaven.
Ways we can help our heroes
- Wounded Warrior Project
- The Greatest Casualty is being forgotten.
- Cars for Charity
- Here you can donate cars and proceeds go directly to the WWII Museum.
- Disabled Veterans Charities
- Disabled Veterans Charities is to assist the disabled and needy veterans, their widows, and their dependents.
- Disabled American Veterans
- Building Better Lives for America's Disabled Veterans
Great Stuff on CafePress
General George Patton Military Gift Mug
Price: 14.99 
Patton Quote - Die Hooded Sweatshirt
Price: 41.49
Don't Like my Flag? Bumper Sticker
Price: 4.75
Battle of the Bulge Large Mug
Price: 16.99
Flag Rules, Regulations and Folding
A Paratrooper's Story - 101st Airborne WWII Diary
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Alamo in the Ardennes: The Untold Story of the American Soldiers Who Made the Defense of Bastogne Possible
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/05/2009)
10th Armored Division WWII Baseball Cap
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
10th Armored Tiger Division In World War II
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
When Hell Was in Session Signed Copy
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Reader Feedback
AT Nelson wrote
Thank you for your moving tribute to your grandfather. I liked it so much I linked to it from my blog which offers "how-to" and ideas for preserving WWII veterans memories:
http://wwiimemories.blogspot.com
Thank you again for honoring the Veterans who fought and died to preserve our freedom.
Sincerely,
AT Nelson
Posted May 11, 2009
mulberry wrote...
This is such a nice tribute to your grandfather and those who fought in WWII. Very nicely done.
Posted April 05, 2009
amandascloset0 wrote...
Thank you very much for those who have left such kind comments and rated this lens! It is always a blessing in itself to see that many today do still care about the history, struggles and accomplishments of ordinary people with extraordinary resolve. As mentioned in the comment by the whistler, these people existed and perservered on many stages within the arena of this vast earth. When I first started writing this lens my husband asked me the question "How many people alive today do you think know or even care to know about these battles and struggles". My answer to him was "Probably less people than a year ago and more than next year, thats why I'm writing this so that others will know." Again thank you for reading, commenting and rating!!
Posted April 05, 2009
TheWhistler wrote...
If Hitler had not been defeated we would all be gooses steeping right now. I wonder at my great uncles experiences during the war. He served in Europe and North Africa. I wonder at my parents in Scotland, who as children had bombs dropping on them, and made a game out of guessing what kind of boom it was and in which part of the city it fell. Checking the papers the next morning to see they were right or wrong. And all these stories told in a matter of fact way. I don't know about you but if I had to go through all that I wouldn't be matter of fact about any of it. I think they were all heroes then military and civilian. Thank god for what is now known as the greatest!generation.
GREAT LENS! WELL DONE!
Posted April 04, 2009
EverythingMouse wrote...
What a wonderful lens - and such a personal story. My grandfather and 2 of my uncles served in WWII. We can This is such a great tribute to your own grandfather and to all of those who have served our country.
Squid Angel Blessings to you
Posted March 04, 2009
James Franklin wrote
My grandfather was also part of that group of the 10th Armored that was trapped in Bastogne in mid December. He was with the 3rd Tank Battalion, but I'm not sure which company. He was captured on the 19th or 20th of December and wasn't returned to US control until May 20th. I'd be interested in knowing more of your grandfather's story. Email me at j_frankl@hotmail.com if you want to discuss it further. Thanks--James
Posted February 12, 2009
