Farrow family has long line of veterans, Legionnaires

Nokomis, FL

My father, Alexander W. Farrow, went into the U.S. Army in 1915. He rose to the rank of sergeant. When the U.S. went to Europe to fight in World War I, dad went over as a member of the Yankee Division. He was an artillery sergeant and he led a squad into no-mans land in several of the many battles in France as forward observers directing artillery fire. He was given a citation for bringing back to the rear a wounded squad member. He later joined The American Legion when he returned from war.

Twenty-five years later in 1944, my brother Joseph Farrow would fly over this same countryside in his B-17 in during World War II. Joe was shot down on his 25th mission in 1944. He spent a year in a German Stalag P.O.W. camp and was finally freed by Gen. George Patton and the advancing U.S. 3rd Army.

Seven years later, I joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and served aboard the U.S.S Lake Champlain CVA39 which was the flagship of the 7th fleet during that war. Our fighters, and fighter-bombers flew several missions in support of the ground troops.

I also have three brothers-in-law and several nephews and nieces who proudly served in both the U.S Navy and the U.S. Marines. Needless to say we love our country and have served it and will continue to serve it whenever and wherever we are needed.

Yours in friendship and respect,
John A Farrow
Legion member and past commander, Novel Post 159, Venive, Fla.

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