Quiet heroes: Bob and Harry went to war believing that in the end things will be better May 27, 2012 4:00 AM By David Wassel Young boys and girls growing up in the 1960s and 70s could choose from among many heroes. For me, there were Roberto Clemente, Americas pioneering astronauts and the Amazing Spider Man. There were also the men, and some women, who had fought in World War II, which was only a couple of decades removed. They were ordinary, like my grandfather and my great-uncles, and didnt talk about it much. But as we came to understand the magnitude of the conflagration that had engulfed their world, shaped their lives and seared their memories, they grew into giants. Among those heroes were Bob and Harry Dininger, brothers from Freeport in Armstrong County. Bob was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles, whose exploits were recounted in Band of Brothers. He dropped into Hitlers Fortress Europe on D-Day and fought his way across the continent, including at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Bob was awarded a Bronze Star and returned home to marry my grandmothers older sister, Mary (Curl) Alvino. Bobs younger brother, Harry, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1941 before Pearl Harbor. He served throughout the Pacific, landing in the Marshall Islands and on Guam, where he was wounded. His service culminated on Okinawa, the final battle of the war. The letters below were culled from wartime correspondence between the two brothers, who served on opposite sides of the world, and their mother, Grace Dininger, who remained on the home front. • • • This was the first letter sent home by Harry after Pearl Harbor. He was stationed at what would become Camp Lejeune. Dec. 10, 1941 New River, N.C. Dear Mother & All I received your letter this morning and sure was glad to hear from you. I know you are worried just about to death about me, Mom, but take it easy, because everything will turn out OK and in the end things will be better. I cant put a lot of things in my letters now, because they will more than likely censor them, but I dont think we will get Xmas leaves but everything else will be about the same around here, and I dont think we will ship out of here for a long time, so just forget everything is like it is and just think I am away on a vacation, and will be back real soon. Tell Bob not to be in a big hurry about volunteering for service, but to wait until they call him, because I know Dad and you need him and he will be more good to you than he would be in service. Well, Mother, I have an 8-12 watch tonite and I have to wash up a bit so I guess I will close for now. With Love & Kisses Harry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the first letter sent home by Harry after he participated in landings against Japanese-held positions in the Marshall Islands. Feb. 26, 1944 Central Pacific Dearest Mother & Dad There isnt a lot to write about, other than I am OK & in the best of health and getting along swell. I have been in two landings so far; you probably read about them in the papers. We made our landings in the Marshalls on Eniwetok and Pany. There isnt a lot I can write about it at present. But I wanted you to know I am well, and please dont worry about me as everything is OK and if letters arent too regular dont worry, because at times it is about impossible to write. I will close for now with all my love. Harry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Dininger posted this letter to Harry after returning to England from the fighting in Normandy. August 6, 1944 Weston-Super-Mare, England Dear Hardo I feel pretty much like the proverbial tramp in being so lax in keeping up my correspondence with you. I will say this tho -- my intentions were good but so damn little to write. The item of greatest importance, I came thru the first one in good shape. We had a few trying days but as a whole no complaints. I suppose you receive the news releases regularly so there is no need for me to go into detail as to just what goes on here. Its suffice to say that we have finally broken thru and are moving at a good pace along the routes to Paris. So you see kid, it should not be too long now until the full force of all our men can be turned in your direction. Dont get me wrong, I am not trying to insinuate that you need any help but it sure would speed things up. After all, thats of utmost importance, the day when you and I can get back to the village. Over here they speak of this affair winding up in months and of drastic changes in a matter of days. Maybe a bit optimistic but it is a cinch the pressure is on. At the present I am back in England just recently returned from a leave. Thats about all at this sitting kid. Keep your nose clean. Hope to see you soon. So long. Your Brother Bob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harry posted this letter from a fleet hospital on New Caledonia after having been wounded during the landing on Guam. Aug. 24, 1944 Southwest Pacific Dear Mother & Dad; My arm is coming along swell and is healing up remarkable, be good as new in a short while. I dont know how long we will be here, but I guess for a while. I guess I will go back to the outfit from here. I sure hope soon, because the old 22nd is a mighty good outfit. We hit Guam as a part of the 1st Marine Prov. Brig. so if you didnt read too much about the 22nd, I am sure you heard of the Brig. I sure would like to hear from you soon, so I could find out how things are going with Bob over on the other side. Right now things as a whole are going mighty good. Well Mom everything is about the same with me, so I will close with Love & Kisses Your Son Harry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harry posted this letter after landing on Okinawa. April 29, 1945 Okinawa, Shima Dear Mom & Dad; Was going to write sooner, but was out on patrol and just couldnt get around to it. The Marines have their part of the island pretty well secured, we only had to take 3/4 of it and now the Army is fouled up and there is talk that they are going to use us to relieve them. The dogfaces might be good over in Europe, but they arent any good out here, but if I go down there, there isnt nothing to worry about. Boy, the new home sounds swell, and I can hardly wait to take advantage of it. Bob and I will be able to square things away and have a swell time. Well Mother that is about all for now, so I will close for now. Love & Kisses Harry P.S. I think this is about the longest letter I wrote since I been out here. Getting very good. Please dont worry Mom, as the way I see it I dont think of anything happening to me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Grace to Harry. May 1, 1945 Freeport Dear Son Harry I received your card and it sure was good news to know that you are still alive after all that battling those dirty rats. Ive been terribly upset since I heard of that invasion Apr. 1st. To tell the truth I am heart sick for I kept saying I know Harry is in that too. Then the others would try talking me out of it, but no one could convince me that you wasnt in there. For a while I thought you may be on your way back to the States but when I did not hear from you for so long I knew you must be in there. I am looking for a big long letter from you saying its all over for you after Okinawa and you will be getting home real soon. Everyone is sitting very close to the Radios these trying days. Lot of nerve wrecking for me just waiting, so you see Id make a poor soldier ... Any way I feel that maybe the worst is over on Okinawa and I hope my guess is right. God knows its all so terrible for our boys that are in there. I will keep praying for you and all our boys and I know you are praying too. God bless you and each and every one of your buddys that you will be spared and come safely through and then back home real soon. I will say so long for now and I will be thinking of you each and every minute and praying God bless you and keep you safe and home real soon. Regards and best wishes from all and good luck love and kisses. From Mother The letter above and two subsequent ones that Grace sent to Harry on Okinawa were returned to her as undeliverable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grace and Frank Dininger received the following letter from Sgt. Major Robert OBrien, a Marine from Freeport who had known Harry before the war and who had served with him throughout the Pacific. 11 June, 1945 Okinawa Dear Mr. & Mrs. Dininger, For a long time Ive dreaded writing this letter because there was little to say. At first I couldnt write, because I had to wait until the government notified you, and after that I waited simply because I couldnt, and cant, find words to describe what I want to say. It was a great shock to me to hear of Harrys death, and though we grow rather accustomed to death here, he was a very good friend and wed spent many hours together on Guadalcanal. I last saw him on the northern part of the island sometime between April 20 and 25. He came down to see me after his company had moved very close to where I was located. He was very cheerful and looked as fit as Id ever seen him. All he talked about was going home -- in fact thats all we ever talked about. Yesterday I called his company and tried to find out the circumstances of his death but because all the old men were no longer there, I could learn nothing other than the date, which you know, and the cause, which you may or may not know. He was hit in the chest by machine gun bullets while leading his platoon up what is now known as Charlie hill. According to his first sergeant, death was instantaneous. I could go on and on but it seems senseless. I still find it hard to believe that hes gone. I wont attempt to say that he died for the American way of life, freedom, etc. and these things that are written about by people who dont do the fighting and thus dont know what theyre talking about. What I will say is that he died bravely, and quickly, which is the best way for a soldier to die, if he has to die at all. You both have my deepest sympathy in this tragic time. If there is anything I can do, whatever it is, just let me know. Sincerely, Your friend, Bob OBrien • • • Harry Dininger was buried in the 6th Marine Division Cemetery No. 1 on Okinawa, Plot A, Row 15, Grave #361. Thank you, Bob and Harry, on this Memorial Day, and thanks to all of your brothers and sisters in arms down through the generations.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 21:57:06 +0000
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