Episode 215: Honoring WWII Veteran George Ciampa (Ep. 115 Re-release)

On this very special podcast, we honor George Ciampa as Christian shares the news of his recent passing. George Ciampa, a World War II veteran and filmmaker, came on our podcast many times and can be heard on episodes #116, #117, #120, #121. He was born in 1925, served in the Graves Registration Service during WWII, and became a filmmaker in his 80’s. You can visit George’s website: http://LetFreedomRingForAll.org to learn more about his story. Our first recording with George Ciampa was released in May 2021 and plays after a short introduction by Christian Taylor and Jason Rugg.

Show Notes

Family history, childhood experiences, and career.

• George Ciampa recounts memories of his childhood, including the death of his cousin Teresa and his grandfather’s open casket funeral.
• George recounts their childhood journey with their family during the Great Depression and their experience working at Douglas Aircraft during World War II.

Air Corps requirements and tragedy at Exercise Tiger.

• George desires to join Air Corps, but is drafted into infantry instead.
• George shares their experience of being accepted into the Air Corps despite having poor eyesight, revealing a secret policy of lowering the eye requirements to 2030 with no glasses.
• Company commander reveals 18 dead soldiers in secret exercise Tiger, including first lieutenant and sergeants.

D-Day invasion and personal experiences.

• George stayed in a house with a couple, Mom and Pop Veblen, during a trip to Normandy 50 years after the original stay, and reconnected with the daughter of one of the previous residents, Ursula.
• George kept in touch with Ursula until she died, and met her son and grandchildren, including a great-granddaughter who lived in Ipswich, England.
• Navy gunner saves life by shooting down German torpedo plane.

D-Day landings and burial of paratroopers.

• George describes hearing artillery fire and seeing ships get hit while on a landing craft approaching Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion.
• George and others had to climb down a rope ladder and get into a Higgins boat to reach the shore, while listening to the sound of German artillery fire overhead.
• George describes landing on Utah Beach during D-Day, mentioning confusion and fear.
• Company of Rangers split between Omaha and Utah Beaches, with terrible fighting and loss of life.