Neither my father or uncle died in battle. Both were WWII vets.

Dad (Army) saw some very intense combat in the South Pacific and my uncle (Navy) served in Alaska during the war.

Had another uncle who served in the Navy in the South Pacific. His ship provided cover for my Dad's group as they conducted a beach landing under fire in the Philippines. It wasn't until after the war that either of them was aware of this. It was always an emotional time when they discussed it.

---