Current:Home > MyAt 100, this vet says the ‘greatest generation’ moniker fits ‘because we saved the world.’-InfoLens
At 100, this vet says the ‘greatest generation’ moniker fits ‘because we saved the world.’
View Date:2024-12-23 16:46:20
HELEN, Ga. (AP) — A profile of Andrew “Andy” Negra Jr., of Helen, Georgia, one of a dwindling number of veterans took part in the Allies’ European war effort that led to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
BORN: May 28, 1924, near Avella, Pennsylvania.
SERVICE: Army’s 128th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 6th Armored Division. Landed on Utah Beach in Normandy on July 18, 1944. Fought in the battle of Brest among other battles. Later served in the Occupation of Germany. He was honorably discharged on December 17, 1945.
“BECAUSE WE SAVED THE WORLD”
It was 1943, and Andrew “Andy” Negra Jr. had just finished high school. He was thinking of attending the University of Pittsburgh. “But Uncle Sam had that finger pointed at me. ‘I need you.’ And, I was drafted.”
The third of four children born to immigrants from Austria-Hungary, Negra expressed no qualms about entering the service. “There was a war going on, so I went along with everybody else. I just went into the service with an open mind.”
Now, he proudly lays claim to being part of “The Greatest Generation.”
“Because we saved the world,” he said.
He has made the trip back to France before but says his return this year for the 80th anniversary of D-Day is special for the people of Europe, and for himself.
“I’m talking about the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium. All of them are coming to this and there’ll be 35 different countries,” he told The Associated Press ahead of his trip. “So it’s going to be a pretty big event. And at the same time, I’m saying to myself, they’re going to celebrate my birthday,” said Negra, who turned 100 on May 28.
He considers himself lucky to have survived uninjured. “I saw a lot of bad things. A lot of death,” he said.
But he also recounts meeting his wife at a dance while he was deployed there. “Second song they played was ”People Will Say We’re in Love.” And I told her, I said — at that time, I’m 19 — I told her, I said, this is going to be our song for the rest of our lives. And I only knew her ten minutes.”
As the D-Day anniversary approached Negra was making plans to visit the scene of one of his life’s most harrowing moments. He recalled being on the road with the 6th Armored Division, part of a push to retake the French port city of Brest, when his column was strafed by five German planes. He scrambled out of his half-track and hid behind a well.
“These five airplanes all dove for that well,” Negra recalled. “And I was behind that well. So, when they strafed, fortunately it was a brick one, and solid.”
His plans for his return to France include revisiting the scene. “They say the well’s not there, but the location is there. So, if possible, we’re going to we’re going to go see that.”
veryGood! (23747)
Related
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul press conference highlights: 'Problem Child' goads 'Iron Mike'
- NFL Player Cody Ford Engaged to TikToker Tianna Robillard
- Trump to meet with senior Japanese official after court session Tuesday in hush money trial
- Emily Henry does it again. Romantic 'Funny Story' satisfies without tripping over tropes
- The White Stripes drop lawsuit against Donald Trump over 'Seven Nation Army' use
- Thieves take 100 cases of snow crabs from truck while driver was sleeping in Philadelphia
- George Santos ends comeback bid for Congress after raising no money
- Keke Palmer, Justin Bieber, more pay tribute to late rapper Chris King: 'Rest heavenly brother'
- Kristin Cavallari's Ex Mark Estes Jokingly Proposed to This Love Island USA Star
- 10 bookstores that inspire and unite in celebration of Independent Bookstore Day
Ranking
- Disease could kill most of the ‘ohi‘a forests on Hawaii’s Big Island within 20 years
- UnitedHealth says wide swath of patient files may have been taken in Change cyberattack
- Kid Cudi Breaks His Foot After Leaping Off Coachella Stage
- Georgia prison officials in ‘flagrant’ violation of solitary confinement reforms, judge says
- Veterans face challenges starting small businesses but there are plenty of resources to help
- Poland ready to host NATO nuclear weapons, President Andrzej Duda says
- Slumping sluggers, ailing pitchers combining for some April anxiety in fantasy baseball
- Save 30% on Peter Thomas Roth, 40% on Our Place Cookware, 50% on Reebok & More Deals
Recommendation
-
Father sought in Amber Alert killed by officer, daughter unharmed after police chase in Ohio
-
Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Reveal Where They Stand on Getting Married
-
Orioles call up another top prospect for AL East battle in slugger Heston Kjerstad
-
Trump to meet with senior Japanese official after court session Tuesday in hush money trial
-
Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
-
Save 30% on Peter Thomas Roth, 40% on Our Place Cookware, 50% on Reebok & More Deals
-
Kellie Pickler Returns to Stage for First Performance Since Husband Kyle Jacobs' Death
-
71-year-old fisherman who disappeared found tangled in barbed wire with dog by his side