Gallery
Prologue
Saint Jerome’s Church on 138th Street and Alexander Avenue in the Bronx, NYC is where Uncle Matty, my family and myself grew up as children. Visiting Saint Jerome’s in March 2016 is where thoughts of Uncle Matty triggered the journey to return his magical rifle back home.
Born to be Airborne
Uncle Matty at Rockaway Beach, NYC in 1939. Notice the dog with him, my whole family loved dogs. Matty was in rock solid shape from playing all the New York City street games that would define him as “Born to be Airborne
Uncle Matty’s Irish South Bronx
Uncle Matty smoking a cigarette while flirting with the girls in 1940. Behind his right shoulder is his best friend Peter Donahue. Matty was famous for his singing, dancing, and being the life of the party.
My Father Mickey
My Father Mickey, all around tough guy from the streets of the Irish South Bronx. Love his beer and dogs! At McSherry’s Pub on 138th Street and Alexander Avenue, with my brother Jackie and his beloved Dalmatian Spanky. In WWII Mickey would be shot down, captured, and serve 9 months in the POW Camp Stalag Luft 3. This is the POW Camp from which the movie the Great Escape was made. Famous for saying “Let’s take it outside
A Soldier and His Rifle
Jim Farrell, 1976 at Yakima Training Center. On duty for the 9th MP Company Training Mission. My rifle never left my side for the whole week. A soldiers relationship with his rifle is a life and death one.
I Owe You Big Time Uncle Matty
Jim saluting Uncle Matty. As a kid in Saint Jerome’s School you were taught early to pray for the dead in your family. The only person I knew who died at this time was Uncle Matty. I began at very early age the tradition of praying to him at night, something I continue to do today. I believe praying to him has helped me handle some tough life situations.
Photo Credit: Joe Hill and 508th PIR Association
O.B. Hill
O.B. Hill and my sister Liz met each other at the June 2000 trip to Normandy and develop a special relationship. O.B. would often correspond with my sister Liz, and amazing in one letter would recite the song Phil the Fluter word for word. This was the song Uncle Matty would sing to him and his other buddies
A Conversation with Rock Merritt
Mr. 508th Rock Merritt at the 2016 Annual Reunion with Jan Silver and Jim Farrell. Rock is a WWII hero and a legend, everyone wants to speak with him. Rock served in the same HQ Company with Uncle Matty
General Orders for the 508th PIR in Normandy
Colonel Roy E. Linquist – Colonel Linquist commanded the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment throughout the entire World War II.
Matty’s Family
Father Richard, Mother Nora, Brother Jimmy, Sisters Ann and Francie. An Irish American Family growing up in the South Bronx, aka the 33rd county of Ireland. Living through the great depression, World War II and everything else the world threw at them.
Two Martin’s of the Greatest Generation
Uncle Matty – Martin Teahan and my father Martin Farrell represent the Greatest Generation. One was a Paratrooper who would die in combat, the other a Bombardier who would spend 9 months in a POW Camp, but survive. I would never understand my father, and later in life get to know the Uncle Matty very well, both would shape my life.
Rock Stars of 1944
WWII vets Jack Hamlin and Cliff Goodall with Jim Farrell outside a French School in Normandy in June 2016. It was such an honor to see the people of Normandy treat Jack, Cliff, and other WWII vets as Rock Stars. Jack and Cliff answered the many questions from the school children.
Peter Donahue
Peter Donahue, the son of Uncle Matty’s best friend Peter. We are marveling at the story of Uncle Matty’s rifle and reminiscing about how close our families were back in the 1940s. Thanks to Uncle Matty, we have now reconnected and are great friends.
Journey to Nottingham
Uncle Matty engraved the name “Kitty” on the other side of his rifle. Monica and I traveled to Nottingham in December 2016 to search for Kitty. We met our wonderful new friends Glyn and Graham, and a family whose grandmother was named “Kitty” from Radford England. We left wondering if she was Uncle Matty’s Kitty?
Uncle Matty Comes Home
From left to right US Army Chief of Staff General Milley, Jim Farrell, Monica Farrell, and the French Army Chief of Staff General Bosser. On December 1, 2016 at a State Dinner I was presented the rifle by General Bosser and it was official Uncle Matty was back home. Notice the huge smile on everyone’s face.
Mission Accomplished
June 2017, Left to right Liz Farrell, Jim Farrell, in the Chief of Staff of the US Army General Milley’s office at the Pentagon. Uncle Matty’s historical rifle is temporary on display here, until it will be permanently displayed in 2019 at the new Army Museum. Liz and I are saying to each other Mission Accomplished.
Epilogue – Uncle Matty Brings the Family Together
On June 4, 2017, we had the First Annual Mass at Saint Jerome’s Church in Uncle Matty’s honor. A new family tradition was born! Four generations of my family brought together to honor Uncle Matty coming home symbolically as his rifle
Jim McMahon
Left to right, Jim McMahon and Uncle Matty dancing. Jim and Uncle
Matty met when they joined the army. They were together through everything right up to shaking hands before boarding separate planes on D-day. Jim would marvel as he wrote about our happy go lucky Uncle and how he was the life of the party
Art Jacoby
Art Jacoby in the middle, Uncle Matty to his right, taking a break from training in Nottingham, England in days shortly before D-Day. Art would participate in every 508th PIR action in WWII.
My Normandy Experience by O.B. Hill
O.B. Hill standing in front of the street named after him in Normandy. He was a very good friend of Uncle Matty and a true WWII hero. It was after standing over his beloved Captain Ruddy’s grave that, O.B. had the idea to start the Family & Friends of the 508th PIR Association.
Liz’s Special Connection to Uncle Matty
My sister Liz writing Uncle Matty’s name on a café wall in Normandy on her June 2000 trip with the 508th PIR Association. Liz would devote decades to learn and honor her heroic uncle.
Glyn & Graham – Keeping History Living
From left to right Glyn Shipstone, Jim Farrell, and Graham Lawson. Glyn & Graham are WWII reenactors that have a passion for keeping its history alive. They were instrumental in helping us learn and trace Uncle Matty’s time in Nottingham.
Valerie – Uncle Matty’s French Angel
Uncle Matty’s French Angel Valerie Cardin visiting Uncle Matty’s grave in June 2017. Valerie is a special person pays tribute to Uncle Matty and other WWII veterans graves four times a year. Valerie was so helpful in arranging our trip to Normandy in 2016. She is our family friend forever!
Lucien’s Wall
Jim Farrell pointing out the 508th Brick on the memorial wall built by Lucien Hasley. He sculptured the names of many of the 82nd Airborne troops that fought to liberate his village. This is truly a spiritual place. On June 4, 2016, we had the pleasure to meet General Eisenhower’s granddaughter Susan as she presided over a ceremony at Lucien’s Wall.
508th Reunion
Pictured left to right Donna Palmer, Jim Farrell, Monica Farrell, at the 2016 508th PIR reunion in South Carolina. We are surrounded by active duty paratroopers from 2nd Battalion 508th PIR
Beyond Dying Killed in Action
27.ying Killed in Action
Connor Regina proudly points to his great-great uncle at Saint Jerome’s Church in the South Bronx. June 4, 2017 at the first annual Martin Teahan mass, and 73 years after being killed in action Uncle Matty legend lives on.
Intro to Book
Left to right, General Patrick Collet, Jim Farrell, Paris, June 2016. Seeing and touching Uncle Matty’s historic rifle gave me all the motivation I needed to start the process of writing this book.
Matty the Mitch Miller of WWII
Camp Mackall North Carolina 1943 - Uncle Matty lower right playing guitar, to his left also playing is his platoon sergeant Bob Shields. Matty best friend Jim McMahon marveled how Matty would sing, dance, and entertain everyone and affectionately called him “The Mitch Miller of WWII”
Acknowledgements
My wife Monica, Jim, and our Golden Retriever Piper. Monica supported me the entire way on our journey, and took most of the photographs in the book. Piper would sacrifice her favorite activity swimming while I was writing.
About the Author
Honoring the Legacy of Uncle Matty
Jim Farrell, nephew of Uncle Matty. My world would take on a new purpose in March 2016. From that point continuing today, my mission is document and honor the memory of my uncle Martin Teahan.
