Sedona AZ (November 4, 2013) – “What do you do for a living?” the drill sergeant at Fort Jackson, S.C., asked the young mountain man.
“I fish. I squirrel hunt. I farm,” Wilce McGaha said. “I do whatever I can to get by.”
Wilce McGaha was part of 2nd Calvary as one of General Patton’s “Ghosts.”
The sergeant sent him to wait off to the side, and by the end of the day, McGaha was surrounded by a group of young men just like him – men that lived off the land. These men were selected for special training: they would become members of one of the Allied units the Nazis feared most – the Ghosts of Patton’s Army – and they would help liberate Europe.
Weeks after the successful invasion of Normandy, Patton’s 3rd Army joined the battle in France, and marched across Europe with the Allied forces fighting the Nazis. McGaha went with them.
Being part of 2nd Calvary meant traveling fast and light. Their M4 Sherman tanks were lightly armored and no match for heavy German tanks and 88 mm guns. They should have been annihilated. Quickly overrunning lines in battle, McGaha was often behind enemy lines cut off from Allied support. These were the times that he and the other “ghosts” would wreak havoc on the Germans, and either force a Nazi surrender, or blast their way back through enemy lines to their own units.
The ghosts often inflicted so much damage that McGaha and the others were not allowed to see what they had done.
“They told us to never look at the aftermath of a battle,” he said. “Sometimes we did. It was horrible.”
McGaha 1944 France
McGaha’s first battle was in France.
“They wanted us to take this town the Americans had taken two or three different times…there were horses and cows lying out in the field, dead,” he said.
After about two hours into battle, on foot, he went inside a partially standing building.
“I was scared to death…and inside was a mother and baby face down in the dirt. They were probably killed about 10 days ago or more,” McGaha said. “That stayed with me the entire war and with me to this day.”
McGaha often saw German refugees who were starving. One afternoon, 20 to 30 civilians, mostly women and children, came by in a wagon and asked to spend the night next to his unit.
“That night we watched them kill their horse so they could have something to eat,” he said. “The next morning they packed up the remaining food and kept on moving.”
During his years of service, McGaha displayed unrelenting bravery fighting for his country, his unit and his fellow soldiers. In that time, he was given two opportunities to return home – once when he was wounded in combat and after his brother was killed as they both fought in the Battle of the Bulge. The loss of his brother was devastating, but McGaha wouldn’t leave his unit.
“I didn’t want to leave,” he said. “I could do more for my family by fighting in Europe. At least that way I could send as much money home to my family as I could. I was staying until it was over.”
McGaha then and now
Throughout the war, McGaha retained his compassion for people – all people, even the enemy that had killed his brother. When asked about the things he regretted and the things of which he was most proud of regarding his service, there is no hesitation, and no time to pause or reflect.
“The thing I regret the most was killing those who were innocent, those who were forced into service in the Army,” he said. “A lot of them did not have a choice. I hate that.”
“I am most proud of being able to save the folks I could save.”
The transition back to civilian life was not easy.
“My nerves were shot,” McGaha said.
His family says that after the war, anytime he was startled or touched unexpectedly, McGaha would go into “combat mode,” which made life especially hard for him and his family.
During the ‘40s and ‘50s, Veterans who were suffering from PTSD received little understanding or sympathy from the Veterans Administration (at the time) or society in general. Finally, after years of mental suffering, McGaha sought treatment and was given the counseling and therapy he needed.
Today, Wilce McGaha lives a quiet life not far from his childhood home, in a nondescript house that blends into the landscape of western North Carolina.
The battles of Europe left him almost deaf, and time has slowed the once spry mountain man. He is a joy to be around and almost always positive, grateful, and full of life. He thanks the Lord – and the VA – for the comfort and help he receives.
When he remembers his time in the 2nd Cavalry, his face carries a look of sadness and burden…but then, he’ll tell a story about meeting some ladies in France, and his smile returns.
This SedonaEye.com article by Randy McCracken, a U.S. Army Veteran, former medic, computer specialist, and now a My HealtheVet Coordinator for the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina.
Thank you for sharing this very interesting and informative article. We owe Wilce McGaha and many people like him a sincere debt of gratitude for their selfless service to our country. Their heroism and dedication is once again being demonstrated currently as our soldiers serve in far away places. God Bless you all!
We need to see more stories like this one!
Terrific story and heads up teachers, this is good material for your classrooms. Why not ask your kids to interview family members that served in the military and write an essay about those folks? Maybe you could invite some folks to come and talk to your classrooms? I remember when my teachers did that back in high school. I recall a man that lost his leg from Canada in WWII he was a teacher after the war and it kept the military from being for me. I support all our vets but couldn’t have done it myself. I love the freedoms they protected for cowards like me. Thanks to all you vets!
I don’t typically leave a comment but like what I read from the others. Here’s to the guys that didn’t make it home. You deserved better.
Dear Eddie,
Your point is well taken and I always respect your opinion since through your writings you tackle meaningful topics.
I stand firm on my comment that every day should be Veterans Day and Armed Forces Day on the basis that our Armed Forces and veterans stand ready to defend this country 24/7 if you believe that “once a soldier, always a soldier”.
Honoring our veterans and Armed Forces one day a year leaves 364 days that they aren’t being recognized for their efforts.
As suggested to the SedonaEye.com, there is an opportunity to invite our Armed Forces, Armed Forces families, veterans and veteran’s families to post stories about their sacrifices.
I am posting a link to a story that was in the Camp Verde Bugle about the struggles of veteran Dan Lewis. Dan’s story could relevant to many veterans that have been in combat.
http://cvbugle.com/main.asp?SectionID=74&SubSectionID=114&ArticleID=40418
Dan’s story hit home for me as it reignited my emotions on many issues I struggled with when I returned from Vietnam and still today I deal with today.
Most of us are detached from the violence associated with combat since it exists “over there”.
As citizens, why we don’t, on a daily basis “insist” that our troops be allowed to remove the restrictive “rules of engagement” that no one but American Armed Forces follows, kick-ass, finish the mission and come home?
Why does it seem that too many people take more pride and show more support for their sports teams than our Armed Forces and veterans? Without these folks, we all might be living a very different life.
If our politicians believe these historical conflicts they get us into are so important then they and their family members can lead the charge and we’ll see just how that plays out.
I have submitted my story to the SedonaEyE.com for publication with the hope that other veterans do the same. Our stories are possibly the only way that those that take our diminishing freedoms for granted will wake up and get some skin-in-the-game in one form or another and reverse the current trend of apathy.
Combat is violent and the results of it live with those that serve and have served for their entire life.
The stories of Wilce McGaha, Dan Lewis and all veteran’s need to be told.
What will the American citizens of this country do to show their appreciation to those that serve for the other 364 days of the year?
Gary Chamberlain
Cornville AZ
Vietnam veteran
Bravo, Mr. Chamberlain. In particular I applaud the following:
“I stand firm on my comment that every day should be Veterans Day and Armed Forces Day on the basis that our Armed Forces and veterans stand ready to defend this country 24/7 if you believe that “once a soldier, always a soldier”.
“Why does it seem that too many people take more pride and show more support for their sports teams than our Armed Forces and veterans? Without these folks, we all might be living a very different life.”
For sure, Sir, I didn’t intend to belittle your suggestion or the honor that our troops so well deserve. However, once in a while if people don’t comment may better serve to convey a louder message than the screamers and vocal demonstrators who demand undeserved entitlements. (IMO and have a great day :-)
Gary, I look forward to reading your story.
@Gary. Thank you for sharing Dan’s story. Many of the readers may not have had veterans in their families, nor have any members serving on active duty now. By reading stories about Wilce, Dan, yourself and many others, the issues faced by returning veterans and the harsh details of what they went through fighting on our behalf, can make others understand the reality of daily struggles they have endured since coming home and, most probably, for the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, as you clearly stated “Why does it seem that too many people take more pride and show more support for their sports teams than our Armed Forces and veterans? Without these folks, we all might be living a very different life.” is a manifestation of our screwed up priorities and lack of patriotism in the present time.
I also share your sentiments that this appreciation needs to be 365 days a year and not just one day…and this can be done as stated by Eddie without “the screamers and vocal demonstrators who demand undeserved entitlements.”
Wanted to share with you some submissions I found on the internet submitted by a variety of present and past military members of our armed forces
“My name is Erika Cashin, I served in the Air Force in the years 1996 – present, and the one thing I want you to know about military service is that “When you thank someone in uniform it’s not only a few words you say. Your thoughtfulness means so much more, because we know it’s meant for all who wear the uniform.”
“My name is Dary Bowlin and I served in the United States Air Force from 1990 to 1997 and the one thing I want you to know about military service is that it is a real call of duty. When you are serving your country there is no other feeling that is greater than making a difference in your daily work. I will let you know that it is not what you see on TV. There are a lot of days that you question, why am I here? In the end, you realize that it is for the greater good of the country. Today,I continue my public service for the Army and am proud of making a difference.
“My name is CPT T.J. Carnes III, I served in Operations Restore/Uphold Democracy Haiti, Operations Enduring Mission Bosnia, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and the one thing I want you to know about military service is that there are no political parties in a foxhole, just Americans with a common belief worth fighting for: each other.”
“I consider it both a duty and an honor to serve my country. In fact, I did it twice. Once when a younger man, with service in the US, West Germany, and South Korea. And again as a not so younger man, in Iraq. As Kennedy stated, “it’s not what your country can do for you, it’s what you can do for your country.” I believe that we should all wear the uniform at some point, or at least be involved in some sort of service to our country. We aren’t owed the freedoms we have here, they are earned.”
“My name is Justin Holbrook. I served in Air Force and deployed twice in support of OIF/OEF. The one thing I want you to know about military service is that servicemembers and their families believe – truly and deeply believe — in making the world a better place.
Because we believe, we swear to defend the Constitution of the United States with our lives. This is not an academic exercise. It is real.
Because we believe, we leave friends and family so that we can serve around the world. These are not exotic vacations. They are painful separations.
Because we believe, we miss memories we would have made if we had stayed. A child’s birth. A school play. A wedding. A funeral. They are gone forever.
Because we believe, we help where we can. We build roads and schools in small villages, provide medical and dental care to the poor, read books and play games with orphaned children. This is not charity. It is our lives.
Make no mistake. Our belief does not cloud our understanding. It is not naive, simpleminded, or Pollyanaish.
We understand the complexities of military power, the nuances of foreign policy, and the shifting winds of American self-interest. We understand that evil exists in the world, that the right course is sometimes uncertain, and that our enemies, like us, may also be fathers and mothers fighting for what they believe.
And yet we still believe in our ability to do good in the world, in the future we are trying to build for our children, in America’s boundless capacity to do what is right.
To servicemembers and their families, it is not surprising that we are able to overcome differences in politics and culture, religion and ethnicity, and gender and sexual orientation to serve as a unified force for good. We know that which unites us – our belief in making the world a better place — is greater than that which divides us. I wish the rest of America knew it as well.”
“If there’s one thing I’d like for people to know, is that being a Gold Star family is harder than most people can imagine.
My Grandfather, My Uncle, My Mother, My Father, My Brother, and myself have all served in the military. My brother died while serving our country.
I want people to understand our commitment, our service, and our loss as a family to protect our country and our freedoms that we enjoy everyday.
This Veterans Day, I will be spending it at my brothers grave site.
Thank you to all who have served and to all those that have lost a family member dedicated to upholding our freedoms.
Go Army, thank you America!!!”
“My name is Cpl. Jordan Diaz, I served in the Iraq War, and the one thing I want you to know about military service is PTSD. A 4 letter acronym that changed my life and every service members life. We were taught to fight, kill and defend, but who taught us to come home? I havent been “home” since i was 19.”
Dear Eddie,
I know even I come across as a screamer at times.
I’ve tried to take a different approach to topic I’m passionate about but at times it truly seems if you want to be heard you have to scream.
For over five years I have witnessed the destruction of our Arizona Veterans and Verde Valley highways ….. Arizona has three memorials to veterans and their families ….. what a disgrace to them and our country since these three highways are shamefully littered!
Even more alarming is the fact that those responsible for clean and well maintained highways don’t seem to care and are in fact contributing to the problem and ADOT knows who I’m speaking to.
Four over four decades I sat on my A%# and never invested time in my community and with the help of many, we have made a difference in our Verde Valley Highways through a energized group of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers that participate in this taxpayer funded program that still has too many under- performers that use the program for free advertising.
The SedonaEyE.com has my story to tell if an when they wish and my hope is that other veterans submit their story for it is through their sacrifice we have the freedoms that are slipping away.
Gary Chamberlain
Cornville AZ
Vietnam combat veteran
(This is for Cpl Diaz mentioned in Abe K’s comment and PTSD sufferers “tell the truth to us and don’t carry OUR war on YOUR shoulders, you are NOT ALONE”)
“A true war story is never moral. It does not instruct, nor encourage virtue, nor suggest models of proper human behavior, nor restrain men from doing the things men have always done. If a story seems moral, do not believe it. If at the end of a war story you feel uplifted, or if you feel that some small bit of rectitude has been salvaged from the larger waste, then you have been made the victim of a very old and terrible lie. There is no rectitude whatsoever. There is no virtue. As a first rule of thumb, therefore, you can tell a true war story by its absolute and uncompromising allegiance to obscenity and evil. ”
― Tim O’Brien, The Things They Carried