On Independence Day 70 years ago, Ernest G. “Son” King celebrated the 4th of July holiday with his wife, Helen, daughter, Melanie, and year-old son, Mike, at their home in Columbus, Georgia. The month before, there had been a bigger celebration as he returned from Germany after VE Day; the war in Europe was over. Uncle Son had been gone since September of 1943, transported by troop ship from New Jersey to Liverpool, England. His 506 PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) became part of the 101st Airborne—the Screaming Eagles.