Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas

On Saturday, November 4, three local WWII veterans will tell combat stories from their service on Omaha Beach on D-Day, flying in combat during the Battle of the Bulge, and on a kamikaze-attacked ship in the Pacific. It is a unique gathering of WWII heroes whose ages are 98 to 101. D-Day Veteran George Sarros, US Navy LST (Landing Ship, Transport) Motor Machinist, will tell his personal stories of 65 crossings of the English Channel beginning with the June 6 landings on the Normandy Beaches. Sarros will also recount the tragic torpedo attacks on April 27, 1944, during the LST flotilla’s training rehearsal for D-Day held off the coast of Slapton Sands, England. When three of the flotilla’s LSTs were hit, Sarros and his shipmates rescued as many of the sailors in the water as possible, but only about 100 of the roughly 1000 could be saved from the cold waters of the North Atlantic on that dark April night. Kamikaze Survivor US Navy Gunner’s Mate Joe Cooper was serving on the USS Ommaney Bay when it was attacked by a Japanese kamikaze during the Battle of the Leyte Gulf. Sailors were ordered to abandon ship. Cooper spent five hours in shark-infested water before being rescued. After the war and being discharged from the Navy, Cooper enlisted in the Army, serving in combat in the Korean War. Fighter Pilot in the Battle of the Bulge US Army Air Corps P-47 Pilot Ed Cottrell risked his life every day battling German Me-109s and ground flak. Having flown 65 missions during his service in the European theatre, Cottrell, now age 101, has perfect recall of the times he was near death. Via Zoom, he will tell his story of having his engine shot out, windshield covered with oil, German fighters on his tail, and somehow making it back to his home airfield. Afterward, Cottrell said, “I kissed the ground.” Book-signing by WWII Heroes Attendees may purchase the book which includes their stories, “We Shall Come Home Victorious.”, and get their signatures. Book proceeds benefit the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas. Parents/Grandparents May Bring Kids Free The program is 9:00 AM to noon. Registration begins at 8:30 AM. Admission is $50 per adult attendee, who may bring children 18 or under for free. The location is Grace Church at 55 E. Jordan Street in Brevard (the “front” space of the American Legion). To register or for more information, call Mike McCarthy at 828-506-6671, email mikemccarthy@comporium.net or register online at https://theveteransmuseum.org/a-walk-through-history-world-war-ii-2023-conference/. Saturday walk-ins are also welcome. Proceeds benefit the Veterans History of the Carolinas in its missions: to HONOR our veterans, EDUCATE our citizens, and PRESERVE our proud military history.