Another One Has Left Us
Herny Ochsner, who landed on the beach at Normandy and was also a member of the World War II 101st Airborne Division/”Screaming Eagles”, has passed at the tender age of 96.
Family friend Dennis Anderson says Ochsner died Saturday at his home in California City of complications from cancer and old age.
God speed, Mr. Ochsner.
Category: Gathering of Eagles, Historical
Rejoined his Band of Brothers. Fare Well and soft landings Troop.
GROUP!
A-TEN-SHUN!
PRE-SENT ARMS!
OR-DER ARMS!
AT EASE.
REST
Farewell, elder Brother-in-Arms. Rest easy. Your duties are done.
Damned! It’s gotten dusty here. Damned allergies.
Where’s my tissues?
WESTMORLAND. O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England That do no work to-day! KING. What’s he that wishes so? My cousin, Westmorland? No, my fair cousin; If we are mark’d to die, we are enough To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires. But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England. God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour As one man more methinks would share from me For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Westmorland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man’s company That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is call’d the feast of Crispian. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.” Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say “These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.” Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words— Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester— Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go… Read more »
Another one of the Greatest Generation has left us, please pray for all that have already passed, but also pray for those precious few we have left. My dear departed father was one of them.
God Bless all of You!!!
Another Elder Warrior joins his Comrades in Valhalla.
*Slow Salute*
Here is a nice background story for Mr. Oschner (link below).
Even though he was often identified as one of the “Band of Brothers,” Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Mr. Ochsner actually served with 321st Glider Artillery, which fought side-by-side with that unit:
https://www.avpress.com/news/local_news/wwii-screaming-eagle-vet-ochsner-of-cal-city-dies/article_f9537f80-d2c2-11e9-b2b7-0f8d1d56e007.html
Rest In Peace, Mr. Oschner. Salute.
Here is a brief history of the 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion that Mr. Ochsner served with during World War II:
https://www.ww2-airborne.us/units/321/321.html
“The 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion initially landed on Utah Beach on D-Day aboard the Liberty ship, John S Mosby, but were unable to engage in any action for several days. The reason for this was division of the battalion into two groups. The second group was aboard the Susan B Anthony which struck a mine and sank off Omaha Beach. The artillery troopers managed to get ashore without loss of life however, they had to wait until June 9th for the guns and vehicles to be off-loaded. During this time part of the battalion served as forward observers for the 506th PIR directing naval and self-propelled 105mm fire.”
Tanks ninja. Another good linky for me to get lost in. This one was more better than just doing the google foo on the 321st. Wiki had all sorts of obvious errors, including the translation of the unit crest. They had it as Don’t Tread on Me. Other differences, too, from the above link.
Also, Tanks for the link on the newspaper article.
The work that y’all ninjas do is not only outstanding, but muchly appreciated by us computer challenged miscreanted dickweeds.
You are welcome, 5th/77th FA.
It was refreshing to read his background story as well as his service as Field Arillery in support of the 506th PIR.
Sometimes Journalist “stretch” the truth about a Soldier’s story, perhaps thinking that if they paint someone as being a member of the “Band of Brothers”, that their story would draw more interest rather than mentioning the Solder was in another Combat Arms Unit.
Mr. Ochner’s unit was important in those battles. Based on research prior to that newspaper link, he WAS identified as a member of “The King of Battle”.
We all learn from one another, 5th/77th FA.
Thank YOU for taking the time in reading all TAHs posts as well everyone’s comments and replying.
😊
Rest in well-deserved peace, Sir. God be with your family.
Fair winds and following seas, Mr. Ochsner.