PFC Harold G. Epperson willingly sacrificed his own life so his fellow Marines could survive. His MOH for extreme bravery was awarded to commemorate his brave actions on the island of Saipan.
Thank you Tara for remembering this young Marine who along with the remaining members of the Greatest Generation won the war to preserve American freedom.
God bless the United States of America and all who have served or currently serve this great nation.
I enjoy reading your posts. Always something to learn and/or appreciate. Give pause.
Reading this reminded me of a story a WW2 vet told me when I was a punk kid at work (~1980). He was retired, wanted a job to keep him busy at the time.
He was working in Detroit at (iirc) a metals company of some sort when the Japanese attacked us. He wanted to join the service, but wasn't allowed to because he was in a critical job and needed to be released from it first. Eventually his employer released him. He was a pretty forward talking guy -- I bet he bugged the crap out of them at the time. Interesting to me at the time: we would have been around the same age. 18-20. Reflective moment for me.
Just something that we in our modern age don't consider when we see someone that joined up a year or three after the war started. Of course their could be many reasons: family obligations such as helping to pay the bills for the household, Mom doesn't want to let you go, or parents will not sign for you (not sure if you could join under 21 at the time without parental permission; my Uncle already in the USAF in 1960 had to get his parents to sign allow him to get married). Especially when the government said you have to continue working. I'm sure that was spun as a patriotic thing; if you didn't work at a task to build what-ever, then our boys would die or the Nips would land in Hawaii. Do your part kid!
Hard to think it wasn't. Amongst other things Goodyear made blimps and barrage balloons. The Navy and the Brits would have been using them. Due to European orders and our own 'awakening' the war industry was in a big ramp up mode. Oldest of 6? I be he was helping his family out too. Having a high school diploma wasn't a requirement back then, I bet it helped him get a better job.
It's not a choice made in that suspended second - it's the choice a warrior makes long before heading into combat. Protect your fellow warriors! Complete the mission!
Thank God for the Marines. Those crazy men and women who run headlong into the pits of hell and straight out the other side taking as much of the enemy they can with them. God bless and Semper Fi!
The courage that lead Harold Epperson to sacrifice himself so others could live is a quality in every single Medal of Honor recipient and many unknown and unrecognized heroes. Thank you, Tara, for remembering them and honoring their service.
PFC Harold G. Epperson willingly sacrificed his own life so his fellow Marines could survive. His MOH for extreme bravery was awarded to commemorate his brave actions on the island of Saipan.
Thank you Tara for remembering this young Marine who along with the remaining members of the Greatest Generation won the war to preserve American freedom.
God bless the United States of America and all who have served or currently serve this great nation.
A special person does these things out of moral obligation, and without hesitation. God bless him, and all those like him!
A true Hero - saving his buddies. Greater love.... Thank you for keeping his memory alive, Tara Ross!
I enjoy reading your posts. Always something to learn and/or appreciate. Give pause.
Reading this reminded me of a story a WW2 vet told me when I was a punk kid at work (~1980). He was retired, wanted a job to keep him busy at the time.
He was working in Detroit at (iirc) a metals company of some sort when the Japanese attacked us. He wanted to join the service, but wasn't allowed to because he was in a critical job and needed to be released from it first. Eventually his employer released him. He was a pretty forward talking guy -- I bet he bugged the crap out of them at the time. Interesting to me at the time: we would have been around the same age. 18-20. Reflective moment for me.
Just something that we in our modern age don't consider when we see someone that joined up a year or three after the war started. Of course their could be many reasons: family obligations such as helping to pay the bills for the household, Mom doesn't want to let you go, or parents will not sign for you (not sure if you could join under 21 at the time without parental permission; my Uncle already in the USAF in 1960 had to get his parents to sign allow him to get married). Especially when the government said you have to continue working. I'm sure that was spun as a patriotic thing; if you didn't work at a task to build what-ever, then our boys would die or the Nips would land in Hawaii. Do your part kid!
Yes, I wondered if his job at Goodyear Aircraft would have been doing something for the war, but didn't really know.
Hard to think it wasn't. Amongst other things Goodyear made blimps and barrage balloons. The Navy and the Brits would have been using them. Due to European orders and our own 'awakening' the war industry was in a big ramp up mode. Oldest of 6? I be he was helping his family out too. Having a high school diploma wasn't a requirement back then, I bet it helped him get a better job.
It's not a choice made in that suspended second - it's the choice a warrior makes long before heading into combat. Protect your fellow warriors! Complete the mission!
Agree!
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Thank you, once again,Tara for helping to keep the memories of these service members alive.l look forward to MHM very much. God bless you,Tara.
RIP SOLDIER 🙏🏼 ✨️ for job well done Semper-fi Marine.
That’s just like a Marine! Semper fi, Epps.
Thank God for the Marines. Those crazy men and women who run headlong into the pits of hell and straight out the other side taking as much of the enemy they can with them. God bless and Semper Fi!
Amazing man who gave his life for his brother soldiers! Thanks Tara for these great stories of bravery!
Thank you PFC Epperson for your courage and bravery. You are indeed a “First Class” Warrior.
Another “ORDINARY HERO”! 🇺🇸
"He was just a boy who became a Marine." Oorah!
The courage that lead Harold Epperson to sacrifice himself so others could live is a quality in every single Medal of Honor recipient and many unknown and unrecognized heroes. Thank you, Tara, for remembering them and honoring their service.
🇺🇲 R.I.P. Marine 🇺🇸
Thank you, TR, for sharing PFC Epperson's story.
Thank you, Tara, for another story of self sacrifice in the face of certain death!
Epperson and the men like him should and must be remembered for ever for their sacrifice and heroism!