Roger Martin forwarded these photos of his father (James “PeeWee” Martin) and others. He wrote, “I thought you and others would enjoy seeing pictures of the WWII Veterens, who gathered at Taccoa, GA this past weekend for the 71st anniversary of their training at Currahee Mountain. These were the first and “original” G Company 506 101st Airborne Division Paratroopers who parachuted behind enemy lines at Normandy the night before D-Day. Currahee Military Weekend has become an annual, three-day event in Stephens County. There are book signings, interviews, military reenactors, a parade, and tours of the Historical Society Museum and Military Museum. The pictures I have sent include Paul Grice’s (Waynesville, OH), 1942 GPW Ford Jeep which he loaned me, and I hauled 500 miles to the event.”
Col. Tom Kennedy (age 92), Ira Morehart (age 90), and James “PeeWee” Martin (age 92) are pictured:
My dad, “PeeWee” Martin is in front of the Currahee Monument:
Reenactors with “PeeWee” Martin:
Me and my dad, “PeeWee” Martin:
Camp Taccoa at Currahee Mountain at the entrance to the original camp at the foot of Currahee Mountain where the paratroopers trained daily by running the 3 miles to the top. The mountain is 800 feet above the valley below. “PeeWee” Martin was there from the first of August until the first of December, 1942 as part of his paratrooper training.:
Me with Paul Grice’s 1942 GPW:
At the top of Currahee Mountain:
Looking at valley 800 feet below :
Me in the GPW:
Thanks for the post. “Airborne!” Or in my case now “Air Assault”. Thanks for your service. 101st all the way. B Btry 1/321 Field Artillery 1976-78.
Thanks for sharing. True American heros.
Awesome pictures..and Tom took the words right out of my mouth, but they bear repeating:
“True American Hero’s”
great post. “These were the first and “original” G Company 506 101st Airborne Division Paratroopers who parachuted behind enemy lines at Normandy the night before D-Day.” life would be different for many if it weren’t for their bravery…sorry had a typo
No need to apologize Martin ,your comment deserves to be seen twice!!!! Godspeed to all our veterans especially the WW2 guys !!!
Great tribute to the airborne soldiers…
Martin, I deleted the duplicate comment 🙂
Roger, that’s one proud photo with you and your dad. Good on you!
These photos and messages reminded me that you talked about your dad when you were at the FC Roundup a few years ago. Thanks for adding photos to complete the story.
**Steve E.**
Thank you for all the good comments. I really appreciate it. The trip was a very hard push, and I was low on money after buying a 2002 F350 Power Stroke Lariat crew cab, 4×4 dually with a bad engine. I bought a rebuilt long block engine and a built up Diamond T Torque converter…then found the transmission oil looked like valve grinding compound so now I am having the transmission built for towing. In order to go to Taccoa, I borrowed a 2000 F350 Powerstroke, 4×4 Lariat, crew cab, and without much sleep, I left Ohio at 6 am on Friday morning. I drove by myself through the mountains of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia pulling a 20 foot box trailer with my friend’s (Paul Grice) restored 1942 GPW inside. I felt it was really important to take the 1942 jeep, because that was the year of the first (and original) paratoopers that trained on Currahee. My dad and 2 others from his outfit (G Company) participated in the reunion this year. Each year there are fewer and fewer of those veterens left and those few may be unable to travel again. It was an honor and privilege to share Paul’s GPW jeep and spend time with all these “special” people.
Special thanks to the the people of Taccoa and all the organizers that make this wonderful military weekend happen and are busy year-round preserving our history. Thanks, also, to Doug and Nancy Barbor for driving my mom and dad from their home near Dayton, Ohio. Many thanks to Paul Grice for allowing me to borrow his very special 1942 GPW and helping me make the weekend event even more special for me, my dad, and his military buddies. Finally, continue thanks to Dave for providing this site where we can share our jeep adventures.
I’m hoping my “new” truck will be ready and we can all take the same trip again next October. I’d encourage everyone to visit Taccoa and the museum any time, and attend the annual “Military Weekend” the first weekend in October.