Posted on 01/21/2013 12:49:47 PM PST by Osage Orange
'Dirty Dozen' hero from Oklahoma has died.
James “Jake” McNiece led a World War II group hours before the June 6, 1944, invasion to destroy bridges to prevent German reinforcements from moving into Normandy.
By Michael McNutt
| Published: January 21, 2013
James “Jake” McNiece, the leader of a World War II group that came to be known as the “Dirty Dozen,” died Monday, family members said. He was 93.
McNiece, a retired Ponca City postal worker, commanded a group of rough men nicknamed “The Filthy 13,” who served as the inspiration for the movie “The Dirty Dozen.”
Hours before the June 6, 1944, invasion, McNiece led 18 paratroopers to destroy two bridges and control a third to prevent German reinforcements from moving into Normandy and to cut off retreating German troops. Sixteen of his men were killed during the 36-day mission, in which they also cut enemy communications and supply lines.
In September, he was presented France's most prestigious decoration during a ceremony at the state Capitol nearly 70 years after he led a squad of paratroopers behind enemy lines in that country to support the D-Day invasion.
Funeral arrangements are pending and are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home in Ponca City.
You will be glad you did!
A real hero....
BFL, never knew the movie was based on real heroes.
Roosevelt reall made a gutsy call sending this guys in......
Gutsy for the guys he ordered in, not himself personally.
Was he the Lee Marvin guy?
Wild bunch they had there. Only four survived the mission.
Then he joined the Post Office.
I'm guessing he had gotten about as much excitement as he cared to have in one lifetime RIP Sir
Indeed...RIP, Sir!
I'm guessing Mr. McNiece...had some interaction with some Ponca City natives.
Many of my Aunts and Uncles...went to Indian School...not too far from Ponca City.
Ping
Yeah, that’s pretty wild for the era. Imagine the surprise and confusion the German soldiers had when they got a close look at those guys.
I also did not know that the movie "Dirty Dozen" was based on a operation carried out during WW-II. God Bless this man, and may he RIP.
Although late, I wish to extend a Big Thank you for your service to this country.
Whatever the actual numbers were, it's a great story about great men, from an era when America was still great.
RIP
Well now....Didn’t the guy who’s parachute got entangled on the steeple, during that same raid, also just die in the past week or two?
Different movie?
Different raid?
The Red Buttons character in "The Longest Day"?
Hours before the June 6, 1944, invasion, McNiece led 18 paratroopers to destroy two bridges and control a third to prevent German reinforcements from moving into Normandy and to cut off retreating German troops. Sixteen of his men were killed during the 36-day mission, in which they also cut enemy communications and supply lines.Wow.
That’s from “The Longest Day”, if we’re thinking of the same scene.
I did not know that the Dirty Dozen was based on real heros.
ping
If anyone wants to read the story try “The Filthy Thirteen” by Richard Killblane with Jake McNiece. (Casemate, 2003)
I never met Jake but Richard is a friend.
They were supposed to be dropped outside of town...
Part of the same operation - D-Day.
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