Australian Jim Grebert was deployed to New Guinea, fighting the Japanese.
American Steve Melnikoff landed on the beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day — 6 June 1944 — before crossing the battlefields of Western Europe in pursuit of the German Army.
We meet in the French village of Saint-Marie-du-Mont, one of the first to be liberated by Allied forces 80 years ago. The men are among the few remaining living links to World War Two. While many visiting Normandy for the anniversary are glorifying the great victory, Jim and Steve are more circumspect.
"War is a wasteful, hurtful thing. Whether the young ones understand that, it’s hard to say, you can’t put an old head on young shoulders," Jim, aged 101, says.
"You can only convey to the young ones what we want through and hope like hell they never do the same."
Steve nods.
Steve Melnikoff landed on the beaches of Normandy before crossing the battlefields of Western Europe. Source: SBS News
Steve's memories of that day and the 27 months of fighting that followed remain vivid.
A platoon of Allied soldiers heading to Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings. Source: Getty / Jeffrey Markowitz/Sygma
"We had many D-Days. D-Day was just another day, you’d have 10, 20 all the way until we defeated the Germans."
Australia’s contribution to D-Day is often overlooked. An estimated 3200 Australians participated in the operation, the majority airmen.
At the 80th anniversary commemorations, the Australian government is being formally represented by Governor-General David Hurley. Jim sees himself as a representative of his brothers in arms and will lay a wreath on behalf of them.
"All my colleagues and friends, I’m representing them and hope I do it well."
The two men had not met before this trip, organised by the US-based Greatest Generations Foundation. They prod and support each other as they speak. Steve is keen to make sure Jim’s service in the Pacific is properly honoured, even though the focus of events this week is on Western Europe.
Jim Grebert and his brother. Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial. Source: SBS News
Not that Steve’s service was without risk. He was shot in the throat by automatic machine gun fire on 17 June. After recovering in England, he returned to the front and 'finished' the war, as he puts it.
He wouldn’t return to Normandy until the 60th anniversary in 2004. He says he wasn’t ready before then. Now 104 years old, he’s aware this is likely his last trip.
"If you do not come back and face what you faced many years ago, you’ll never get over the hurt you’re feeling," he explains.
"Some people cannot come back, because they have a feeling and they can’t get over it. You have to face it."
