The postcard read: “Your boy is alive!”
James ‘Dad Mac’ MacMannis is believed to have sent as many as 33,000 postcards during World War II.
WEST PALM BEACH — Dad Mac sat in his living room and furiously scribbled the names the German propaganda machine rattled off. Names of GIs whose moms and dads and siblings and sweethearts in Florida and Iowa and Oregon. Loved ones who for weeks or months had wondered and worried and wrung their hands. Mac would fill out and address a postcard. It would say: Your boy is alive.
As World War II raged, and before and after D-Day, James L. MacMannis wrote as many as 33,000 postcards to families across America. After a while, people called him Dad.
At first, he said, he sent out just a few cards, and he got few responses.
“I was discouraged,” he told Palm Beach Evening Times Editor Tom Penick for a June 1944 column. “It was weeks before I heard from any of the folks I had written. Then they started.”
One parent wrote, “You are doing marvelous work. May God bless you.”
The date of Penick’s column was June 2, 1944. Neither he nor most of the country knew at the time that in four days, on June 6, the world would change
‘Keeping faith’
James L. MacMannis was a veteran of both the Army and Navy and both world wars. He’d been a barnstorming pilot in those first days of flight — a relative claimed he got America’s fourth-ever pilot’s license, something that couldn’t be independently verified — and taught pilots in World War I, when military aviation was in its infancy
He was a parachute jumper who later became an airplane inspector. He joined World War II via the Coast Guard in the Baltimore area. Around 1943, he moved to West Palm Beach, believed to be about a block south of what’s now the Norton Museum of Art.
MacMannis did have a hobby: shortwave radio.
In August 1943, he tuned in to a Berlin station. Naturally, it was a propaganda broadcast by the Third Reich. Night after night, the feminine voice would rattle off each soldier’s name and serial number, along with messages the GI hoped would get back to their families in the U.S. The Berlin fräulein even gave the GI’s home address so that anyone listening could drop a line to the family that he was OK, at least relatively.
Whether the idea was to show how humane the Germans were or was a ploy to get parents to pressure the U.S. government to push for peace, only the Nazis could say.
But for Dad Mac, a light went on.
Every night at 7, Dad would settle into his rocking chair. He listened even when the static made broadcasts pretty much undecipherable. Some nights he would listen until dawn.
“He doesn’t dare leave because he fears he may miss some of the broadcast with the prisoners’ list,” Mary MacMannis said, “And he tries to get all.”
Some nights it was 20 names, some nights 60 or 80. One night he heard 157 names. Some nights, there was no list.
Dad Mac didn’t tell families everything. Sometimes the broadcast would impart that a boy had had both legs blown off or had bullets still lodged in his body.
“It’s enough to let them know that Berlin says they (soldiers) are alive and a POW,” MacMannis said.
He also worried at times if he was a dupe, forwarding details to desperate families about which the Nazi propaganda machine might be lying. He said he felt better when the War Department began verifying to him what he was hearing.
Once word got out about “Dad’s Listening Post,” others stepped up to help; fellow radio enthusiasts, the West Palm Beach fire chief, an assistant chief and a printing firm donated everything from radio parts to postcards. Dad Mac graduated from a small radio to a big receiver.
By January 1945, MacMannis estimated he’d heard 20,000 messages about American POWs and mailed out about 15,000 cards.
Life magazine got wind of him and ran a photo of Dad and Mary in their living room in front of a giant radio. That story quoted a total of 33,000 messages from POWs, including Canadians.
“War Prisoner Information,” Dad Mac’s cards said. “A free humanitarian service given by ‘Dad MacMannis’ Listening Post.′ ” And, “A veteran of both wars keeping faith with his buddies.”
“Howdy, folks,” one postcard quoted G.I. Ray Sherman. “I won’t be long. These Germans treat us mighty well. I will write you soon. Don’t worry. Love Ray.” The form was dated July 22; no year.
A search of databases shows a Ray J. Sherman, born in 1923, had enlisted in Milwaukee and served in the infantry in both the North African and Italian theaters before the Germans captured him at Anzio on Feb. 16, 1944.
Article located in the Palm Beach Post.
We spoke once before about the ham radio operators during WWII and the great job they did, read HERE!
Click on images to enlarge.
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Home Front Ham Radio Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Anne Bertola – Rockland County, NY; US Army WAC, WWII
Arnold Fleischmann – Brn: GER/ MD; US Army, WWII, ETO, Eisenhower’s interpreter, POW, Col. (Ret.)
Roy Harsh – Lancaster, PA; US Navy, WWII, USS St. Paul
Joseph Murphy – Dedham, MA; US Navy, WWII, ETO
James Newmark – Chicago, IL; US Navy, WWII, Carrier pilot
Robert Parks – New Smyrna, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, HQ Co./2/187/11th Airborne Division
Louis Reeg – Galveston, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, 82nd Airborne Division
Peter Shymske – Seville, OH; US Army, WWII & Korea, 43/103 Infantry Division
Albert Vnencak – Whippany, NJ; USMC, WWII
Ernest Webb – Neodesha, KS; US Army Air Corps, WWII, medic
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Personal Note – This is my 1000th post. Yikes, I never would have believed it!!
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Posted on July 11, 2019, in Home Front, WWII and tagged 1940's, ETO, History, Home Front, Military, Military History, Pacific War, Postcards, POWs, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 186 Comments.
Funny how our hearts can lead us to believe almost anything .❤
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The step in grief is , denial.
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This is an awesome article!
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Can you just imagine the parents’ faces when they received these cards? It must have been like heaven sent them!!
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yes…
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What a fantastic story. All credit to your dear Dad! I should imagine the worst thing about having your loved ones fighting in a war is the not knowing… (Although our family lost a dear member: my dad’s youngest brother, aged 22, my own father was spared.) All wars are evil. x
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I can understand why they begin, but I don’t understand why we no longer go in to win. 18-year long wars and having men go back for 5 or more deployments? NO, I can’t comprehend.
Thank you for stopping in here and I hope you will find more posts to hold your interest.
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Congratulations on making it to 1000! Here’s to 1000 more! ❤ 🙂
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Thanks.
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This is an inspirational story, GP! What a wonderful service for families this man provided.
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It is certainly a heart-warming one – that’s for sure!
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Amazing what just one person can do… This is truly an inspirational story!
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Thank you, KC. I’m glad to bring these men some recognition.
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What a great man and such a happy outcome for him.
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Isn’t this a wonderful story?!! I was so thrilled to see this in my local newspaper!
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Absolutely amazing story, would love to think he was recognized in a big way later on in life, his story and efforts must have been commended by the government after the war.
Great post gp, you certainly find those bits of history that seem to be overlooked.
Cheers.
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These types of stories really add to the total perspective of war – as you know in reference to Nam. Just wish I could locate follow up stories on them.
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Wow. The things I learn here. Never heard of this guy, but I hope when he hit heaven that a bunch of people gathered round, hugged him or slapped him on the back, and thanked him for caring!
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I agree, William!! The amount of cards certainly showed his dedication and determination!!
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Great story.
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Thank you – I definitely agree!
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Reblogged this on Janet's Thread 2 and commented:
The power of a postcard.
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Amazing, isn’t it? I recently acquired the books, “Pack Up Your Troubles” by James Taylor – loads of WWI military postcards!! Fantastic!
Thanks for reblogging!!
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Congratulations on your 1000 posts.
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Thank you very much – I had no idea. I’m glad WP was keeping tract for me!! haha
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Beautiful.
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Thank you, Anna.
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Hard, yet at the same time beautiful story of inspiration.
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Thank you, Priest!
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Yes. I’m sure the families must have been happy he was around.
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Congrats on your 1,000 post, GP! I’m so glad you are here! 🙂
Also, I just received a comment from Brian…LordBeariOfBow. He said,
“Carolyn I’m in hospital ticker trouble don’t know how long will you can you let those that read my stuff know and I hope to be back soon.”
so I wanted to share it with you here.
(((HUGS)))
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Thank you for coming by to not only read this post, but let me know about Beari!! I really do appreciate you taking the time. I’ll get right over there and give him my best wishes.
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You’re welcome, GP!
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Great story. I learned a lot
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Good to know, Rick.
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Congrats on your 1,000th post, GP! That’s quite an achievement, too, especially when every one of those posts is far more than a number; you’ve provided a good bit of entertainment and history along the way.
As for MacMannis, his story is one of those that proves beyond any doubt that one person can make a difference — and a big one!
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He certainly changed many a life, eh?! I sure couldn’t pass up this story!!
Thanks for the well wishes, Linda. It came as a shock to me!!
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I can’t imagine getting to it, what a mighty effort. Motivation!! And a great encouragement.
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He certainly did his part!
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God has blessed you, Dad Mac.
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Amen!
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🙂
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You always find fascinating historical bits
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I try to show that not only does a lot go on that we are not taught, but I also want people to know that history doesn’t have to be boring.
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You’re doing a good job
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I thank you for that!
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😀
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By writing these postcards, Mr. MacMannis made a valuable contribution to the lives of so many families. What a great story to post for such a milestone.
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When people are waiting on something, every day is endless. He gave these families hope!! Thank you for coming by!!
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I love this story, GP, about Dad Mac and his radio. What an incredible gesture…well, 33,000 incredible gestures. Great post…and a tip of the hat on your 1000th post. I appreciate how you always bring a new and warm thought into my head, thank you.
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I thank you very much for your lovely comment and compliments! I apologize for taking so long responding – somehow you went to spam and I hadn’t checked it in a couple of days.
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What a fabulous service he performed. I’m sure every one of those recipients were grateful for that postcard. Congratulations too on your 1000 post!
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I agree – and Thanks!! The post was fun and the 1000 milestone was a shock!! haha
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Amazing man – so much work and so much effort, driven by nothing but all-encompassing kindness to fellow human being!
Honestly, I don’t think the Nazi’s broadcasted POW names out of any other motivation, but propaganda, i.e. bragging about the numbers. After all, the entire Paulus army surrendered and close to 100,000 German soldiers were taken prisoners by the Russians a few months earlier.
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Ah-ha, I knew there had to be a valid reason, but whatever the case, it gave this man the names of the POWs and that’s a good thing!!
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Absolutely – a wonderful thing!
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What a story. What a man. During war times its always diffficult to decide between truth and propaganda. Sometimes the actual situation remembers me on this. Suddenly we are speaking about “Fake News”, and all news have to be controlled. 😉 Best wishes for the weenend, GP! Michael
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Fake news and controlled news is all too much like the WWII era and that’s what makes me nervous. Japan started controlling all media – years before we entered the war. You would know Germany’s record on that during WWII better than I.
Thanks, you have a great weekend yourself, Michael!!
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It concerns me too, GP! All adult humans have a brain to decide betwenn fakes and real. Why try they to give us order? Have a nice weeend too. Michael
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I have goosebumps reading this GP! What a gift to family desperately waiting thousands of miles away for word.
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The gift of hope in such trying times. Ya gotta love it!! Thanks for stopping by, Sue!!
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Dear G.P. Cox,
what an amazing job MacMannis did. Thank you very much for blogging about him. He was quite a hero and should have got a medal for his important work.
Great that you made us aware of him 🙂 🙂
We wish our dear friend all the best and have a happy weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you very much, my friends. Giving hope to these families must have been very rewarding to him and his wife as well. I appreciate you stopping by to visit!!
GP Cox
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Kudos on the the 1000!
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Thanks, it came as quite a shock!
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What a wonderful effort – making thrilling reading
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Thank you, Derrick!
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