PFC Joseph "JK" Barrineau
Private Barrineau was from Andrews, South Carolina and arrived in Normandy, France in early July, 1944 with the 5th Infantry Division. During Operation Cobra, he was involved in heavy fighting against the Germans as the allies pushed to break out of the deadly hedgerows of Normandy. Barrineau was injured in both arms by shrapnel and machine gun fire in Vidouville, France while taking Hill 183. He was moved back to be treated by medics when they noticed something wrong with his helmet. It had a bullet hole in the front and a large exit hole to the rear. The web headband was also torn apart by the bullet. To the surprise of the medics, Barrineau did not have a head injury. He went on to survive the war and later moved to Corbin, Kentucky where he would become a pastor. Barrineau was awarded the Purple Heart.
Yeoman Frederick Leon Ruckert, Jr.
Yeoman Ruckert was from Shreveport, Louisiana and was deployed to the Pacific to fight the Japanese. Ruckert was aboard LST-167 when it was strafed and bombed by Japanese bombers on September 25, 1943. Ruckert was killed by shrapnel as a result of the attack. According the display at the WWII Museum, he was an only child and his battle-damaged helmet was returned to his parents.
Incidentally, the attack on the LST-167 produced the largest loss of life on any U.S. Coast Guard vessel during WWII.
Visitor Center and Museum wwii artifacts.....Beautiful facility. Loved the Cyclorama painting. The museum itself is very interactive and gives a comprehensive look at the Battle of Gettysburg within the larger context of the War between the States….wwii relics for sale
ReplyDeleteHello, I just saw your post today. I am the son of J.K. Barrineau. I donated the helmet to the museum. 2 facts need to be corrected in your description, otherwise accurate:
ReplyDelete1. He was wounded on July 30, 1944 during the battle of Vidouville, while taking hill 183.
2. He was from Andrews, S.C. when he left for the war, not Taft....which is not far away.
Thank you for honoring my dad in this way.
Best Regards,
Janton R. Barrineau
It's an honor to have you commenting on my post, Janton. I appreciate it very much. I'll change the information in my blog. Also, thank you for donating your father's helmet to the museum. It helps tell the personal stories of the war.
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ReplyDelete