Remembering Jake McNiece & The Dirty Dozen

by Mike Perry · January 23, 2013 · Posted In: SOF History

About Our Links
We link to other websites if we find their content compelling. We also link to relevant products on Amazon.com as affiliates. The money we earn from these sales helps keep our website running and a few beers on ice.

dickftr

1 Like

The local radio reported that Jake lost 11 or 12 of his men during that mission. Is that true?

Txazz

@dickftr McNiece even collaborated with Richard Killblane on a book, “The Filthy Thirteen; The True Story of the Dirty Dozen.” Interviews with Jake late in life are posted on YouTube. The Filthy Thirteen has a Facebook page. It is now filled with tributes to Jake. From book: In its spearhead role, the 13 suffered heavy casualties, some men wounded and others blown to bits. By the end of the war 30 men had passed through the squad. Throughout the war, however, the heart and soul of the Filthy 13 remained a survivor named Jake McNiece, a half-breed Indian from Oklahoma.

Jack Womer also wrote a book as a member of the Filthy Thirteen and former Ranger. Fighting with the Filthy Thirteen: The World War II Story of Jack Womer-Ranger and Paratrooper. Throughout his fights, Jack Womer credited his Ranger/Commando training for helping him to survive, even though most of the rest of the Filthy Thirteen did not.

Dick, would love to read these books (both on Amazon). Looks like they lost a lot of men and maybe they ended up with 13. Yes, too bad you didn't know he was right down the road from you.

dickftr

1 Like

@Txazz @dickftr

Thanks Txazz, so many book's to buy and read. I wish Sofrep had a book section at the PX. I would pay an extra buck or two if it would support Sofrep.

18 comments

Newest | Oldest

I wish I had known Jake lived only 30 miles to my west.

@dickftrFilthy 13

“But we went AWOL every weekend that we wanted to and we stayed as long as we wanted till we returned back, because we knew they needed us badly for combat. And it would just be a few days in the brig. We stole Jeeps. We stole trains. We blew up barracks. We blew down trees. We stole the colonel’s whiskey and things like that.”

That’s why they were chosen for the job of parachuting behind German lines just before D-Day. It was regarded as a suicide mission. These guys were the original expendables, and Jake, a demolitions expert, set the tone for them. He was part-American Indian and had his men shave their hair into Mohawks and put on war paint before that pre-D-Day mission. A famous picture of it was printed in “Stars & Stripes.”

http://www.sj-r.com/bakke/x1578915240/Dave-Bakke-Leader-of-Filthy-13-dies-in-Chatham

thebronze

I had the Honor of meeting Jake back in 2006. He was a spry old guy. Loved talking to him.

RIP Jake...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4102733977722&set=a.4087189709125.2165011.1564147952&type=1&relevant_count=1

dmalert

Thanks for posting. The WW2 historical stuff is great.

usapatriotonthemove

Thank You sir.....Nothing is ever taken for granted, or ever will be by this civilian, ever. RIP. Videos rock...although, the cars screaming by in the background were a bit annoying, but well worth hearing to capture these words.

GabeHurtado

June 5 1944 Jake and Filthy Thirteen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=OXn0TCvuUlY

Audiobookguy

So sorry to hear this news. I’m currently narrating the audiobook of “The Filthy 13″ for Tantor Media. What a privilege. I hope I’ve captured some of his spirit and humor that will live on forever. I’m a better man for having worked on it. If you are interested in hearing this story, email me, or contact me on Twitter or Facebook. Very Best, Kaleo Griffith

gunslinger6

RIP Sir.

StandintheDoor

Jake was attending his induction in the Oklahoma Infantry Hall of Fame in 2002, accepting his award and recognition, says "I have not seen this much brass since my last court martial!" He was a real character, PVT E-1 in command of his Platoon. I had the honor of him pinning on my jump wings in 2004 when I was a member of the WW2 Airborne Demonstration Team. He's kicking ass in Valhalla for sure.

LauraKinCA

@StandintheDoor

What a great memory to hold onto.

RIP Jake McNiece

The French government gave him the medal of the Legion of Honor (Sept 27, 2012), which made him a knight in the French Order of the Legion of Honor. “There were hundreds of other soldiers who were more deserving than I,” McNiece said.

“I have the honor to recognize the courage you displayed so many years ago on a land that was so foreign to you and yet for which you were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice,” Bontems said. “In the name of the French people, I thank you for your personal contribution toward the liberation of my country.”

Bontems presented the medal to McNiece, who was accompanied by his wife of 59 years, Martha; several family members were among the more than 100 people who packed the governor's ceremonial Blue Room for the ceremony.

Africanadian

RIP 1SG

Old paratroopers never die!

RichDD

Rest in peace. I hope that today's young take the time to learn who you really were.

Dutch23

Rest in Peace Jack.

Your friend from Eindhoven.

TKW406

Mike - Thanks for the heads-up & making us aware of this soldier's passing.

Remembering Jake McNiece & The Dirty Dozen

Related Posts