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median
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 2183
Location: Hamillton, Canada
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 Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:06 Post subject: War Veterans
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Hey,
I was just wondering if anyone has any family that faught in WWII, both of my grandfathers faught for the Canadian with the Argyle Sutherland Highlanders.
My grandpa on my moms side fought in Italy, but I dont know too much about what happened with him.
My Fathers Father, just past away over the holidays, and he faught in the north of France, as a anti-tank gunner and infantry.
My grandpa never talked about his experiances, and neither did his friends. When we were talking to his last surviving war friend, Jake, he told me that he wont talk about it to anyone but the people he expiranced it with.
Also , my Grandfather, William, brought back a Nazi Iron cross, with the ribbon still on it. I dont know if he killed someone for it , or took it as loot. Ill post pics when I get my camera back soon.
Anyways, feel free to Discuss,
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Paco
RealPoor Jedi
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 12939
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:15 Post subject:
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Yup. My aunt and uncle both fought in WW2, and the uncle died in France, Normandy.
Grandfather on my mom's side was killed by the Mafia, so he never got to go to the war..Grandfather on my Dad's side died before the war.
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khrath
Guest
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:22 Post subject:
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This is living proof that video games have warped todays youth.
Ok, you just shot another man in the head who really didn't want to kill you or anyone else in the first place, but his country demanded that he leave his family and go off to another country to kill people...does it make you feel good to have ended his life so that he'll never see his family again, when he'd never done anything to anyone that would merit his death?
It's not good old times to be thought back upon fondly. those people weren't volunteers like todays army, they were mostly forced to fight by being drafted.
I wouldn't wanna talk about it either personally.
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Paden
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 23 Oct 2002
Posts: 9362
Location: North CAROLINA!
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:23 Post subject:
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1 uncle fought for Under Patten and one Under McArthur.
My great Grampa fought in the pacific theater.
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sinrakin
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 7044
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:26 Post subject:
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The funniest story my grandfather told me was when he and some other guys were seperated from their unit and lost in some forest in France for a week - they ran out of food and hadn't eaten in days when they found some peasant's shack with some meat in it and cooked it up and thought it was the best meal of their lives. When the peasant came back they wanted to give him something for taking his food, but he explained to them that it was just an old piece of fat he'd been using to shine his boots 
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median
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 2183
Location: Hamillton, Canada
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:33 Post subject:
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ps if anyone could give me some info on what this specificly is, would be greatly appreciated
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Paco
RealPoor Jedi
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 12939
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:42 Post subject:
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http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/nazi.htm
The War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz)
(also called the War Service Cross)
Constituted on 18 October 1939, and was for bravery and service not in direct combat; as such, it fell just short of the Iron Cross. It had two classes– (later 3 and then 4)
the 2nd Class version was a bronze cross with a red, white and black ribbon similar to the Iron Cross but thinner. The ribbon was worn in the same manner as the Iron Cross on the tunic. above left
The 1st Class version was in silver, and was pinned to the left breast-pocket.
A version with crossed swords was awarded for bravery.
On 18 October 1940 the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross was instituted, with or without swords, to be worn around the neck. above right with swords
I believe this to be a breast badge of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross with swords (for bravery). I may well be wrong. If I am please tell me.
Ted, I have also encountered enameling on a Spanish Cross with swords. The enameling was on the arms just like your example but red in color. The cross was also a private purchase item. From what I can gather from my sources, the enameling is added by the purchaser to add a little "flash" to their award. I hope this helps you. Best regards, Kevin Punch
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sinrakin
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 7044
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median
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 2183
Location: Hamillton, Canada
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:47 Post subject:
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wow, thank you SO much paco.
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Paco
RealPoor Jedi
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 12939
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:54 Post subject:
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no prob
some cool shit you've got there
my other aunts have some of my uncle's stuff he had gotten before he was killed..i think he's got one of the boot knives and some other stuff, but not sure where it's at
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scrotum
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 828
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 12:56 Post subject:
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| Paco wrote: | http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/nazi.htm
The War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz)
(also called the War Service Cross)
Constituted on 18 October 1939, and was for bravery and service not in direct combat; as such, it fell just short of the Iron Cross. It had two classes– (later 3 and then 4)
the 2nd Class version was a bronze cross with a red, white and black ribbon similar to the Iron Cross but thinner. The ribbon was worn in the same manner as the Iron Cross on the tunic. above left
The 1st Class version was in silver, and was pinned to the left breast-pocket.
A version with crossed swords was awarded for bravery.
On 18 October 1940 the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross was instituted, with or without swords, to be worn around the neck. above right with swords
I believe this to be a breast badge of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross with swords (for bravery). I may well be wrong. If I am please tell me.
Ted, I have also encountered enameling on a Spanish Cross with swords. The enameling was on the arms just like your example but red in color. The cross was also a private purchase item. From what I can gather from my sources, the enameling is added by the purchaser to add a little "flash" to their award. I hope this helps you. Best regards, Kevin Punch
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also:
| Quote: | When presented the Cross came in a blue, red or brown paper envelope with the name of the award written in gothic script.
Here is a breakdown of medals issued:
War Merit Cross with Swords: 6,134,950
War Merit Cross without Swords: 1,591,567 |
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Manuva
Banned
Joined: 12 Oct 2002
Posts: 2536
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 13:08 Post subject:
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My grandfather fought in WW2, only thing he ever told anyone about it was that he was shot in the foot by a sniper.
Heh
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Frehya
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 2398
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 14:13 Post subject:
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I have a relative that fought in Germany, he was part of the first forces to liberate Dachau. He didnt talk about it because it was too horrific. He drank instead.
He did used to get angry if us kids got picky about the food on our plates.
I have a Russian made solid gold cigarette case with a sapphire in the latch, that he took off of a dead German officer.
Other cousins have knives and nazi armbands he brought back.
Talking, studying and looking at pictures about war and living war are surely two different things, and I don't think those that havent been through something like that can ever truly relate, so I suspect that is why some of these guys only want to talk about it with each other. Alot of them have PTSD.
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Kely
Luke Warm
Joined: 23 Oct 2002
Posts: 249
Location: Orlando, FL
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 14:45 Post subject:
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My grandfather on my Dad's side was in the Marine Corp. Did time in Cuba and then the pacific. My Mother's Dad was in the Navy. Did time on a Destroyer in the Atlantic. I'm Navy.
Last edited by Kely on 01/22/04 - 14:55; edited 1 time in total
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Dapht
Luke Warm
Joined: 19 Oct 2002
Posts: 348
Location: ALaska
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 14:47 Post subject:
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I do believe that is not the correct one Paco. The colors on the ribbon do not match with the one that you have picked. The colors on teh Ribbon are the "indentifier" for me, as would be any other military person imo.
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scrotum
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 828
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 15:09 Post subject:
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Actually if it a war merit cross, it will have the date engraved on the back. At least the year. does it have anything median?
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GruntingCod
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 6399
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 15:33 Post subject:
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| median wrote: |
ps if anyone could give me some info on what this specificly is, would be greatly appreciated |
Omfg dude that is uber. Is it yours?
I have one that is from the civil war that was my Great, Great Grandfathers. He was a high ranking officer or some shit. He has a bunch of papers signed by Abe Lincon and a letter that was hand written by Lincon to my GG Grandfather.
3 of my Great uncles were in the war. One was in Aulstralia, one was in Italty and one was in germany. All came back. I have the flag that was on one of my great uncles coffin when he was burried on my wall. I wish had their metals. Maybe my Grandma will out live them and get them, and I will pass them down to my kids. That would be awesome.
My uncle in law's father was in WW2 and for some reason he got like 093284902384 peices of gear once the war was over. He was in a ski patrol somewhere during the war and he got like 8 pairs of CC ski sets, a few rifles and like 5 pistols... and a bunch of other basic stuff like shovels.
He said when I graduate college he would let me have one of the rifles and one of the pistols. I can't wait 8o)~
All of this is on my Grandmothers side so it is all american. I should ask my Dad if he has any old gear of my Canadian Grandfather not sure if he was in the war or not though.
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GruntingCod
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 6399
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 15:38 Post subject:
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| Frehya wrote: | | Talking, studying and looking at pictures about war and living war are surely two different things, and I don't think those that havent been through something like that can ever truly relate, so I suspect that is why some of these guys only want to talk about it with each other. |
I always day dreamed about being in WW2. Even now, I still dream about being in the war, dying or not. So many people, alot of my family as well, were in the war, and it would be an honor to fight along side them, Canadian or American. War has always been a passion of mine, especially and primarily WW2.
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compusmack
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 15 Oct 2002
Posts: 6354
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 15:40 Post subject:
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My grandfather was in the Air Force during world war 2.
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Banzai
Guest
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 15:48 Post subject:
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Grandfather got the Purple Heart in the Pacific theater.
Took some shrapnel in the left leg and was practically deaf.
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sinrakin
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 7044
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 15:55 Post subject:
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That's definitely a War Merit Cross 2'nd Class with Swords. If it were 1'st class it would be silver and not have a ribbon; Knight's cross would have short arms holding the suspension ring. I wonder if the ribbon was replaced; it looks like the ribbon on the Cross of Honor 1914-1918 (which was issued as late as at least 1937),
Unless maybe early Merit Cross's used different ribbons, but every pic I've seen has had exactly the same ribbon.
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median
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 2183
Location: Hamillton, Canada
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 17:20 Post subject:
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it says 1939 on the back.
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Sabathius
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 2179
Location: San Angelo
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 17:26 Post subject:
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My Grandpa on my mom's side was a paratrooper with the 101st.
interesting story on that... he delivered a french woman's baby and got in trouble for cutting his parachute cord to tie the cord off on the baby. He landed in a tree somewhere and broke his back, too.
My dad's uncle was a reloader on a destroyer for an AA gun.
My mom's uncle was in the navy, not sure what he did though.
My cousin Chris is over in Turkey right now, he's been in Iraq, Turkey, Qatar, and Liberia (he was one of the few that went).
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Paden
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 23 Oct 2002
Posts: 9362
Location: North CAROLINA!
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 17:31 Post subject:
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I need to clarify my early post i was in class and was busy.
My great grampa on my mom side (never met him) was a the guy with the phone on his back in the army not sure what it was called. All I know is he fought the japs.
My 3 great uncles fought in the army under patten and MacArthur and such.
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Luturb
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 18:42 Post subject:
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One of my grandfathers was too young to fight in WWII, the other had brothers in the war so he was allowed to stay home to take care of the family farm. I had one great uncle that flew B-17s in Europe and flew 30+ missions which was apparently a ton considering the average lifespan of those planes. He made it home. Another great uncle was a fighter pilot in the Pacific and he was shot down but survived but then got captured by a Japanese sub and was never heard from again. Apparently he was in the water with a couple other guys and an american ship saw them still alive but they were unable to stop to pick them up and the Japanese got them before they could be rescued.
Last edited by Luturb on 01/22/04 - 18:43; edited 1 time in total
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scrotum
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 828
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 18:43 Post subject:
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| median wrote: | | it says 1939 on the back. |
http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=1811
War Merit Cross 2nd Class
Kriegsverdienst Kreuz
Date Instituted
1 Sep 1939
Requirements
With swords:
* Acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
Without swords:
Civilians or military personnel not directly involved in military operations who made important contributions to the war effort.
Number Awarded
6.134.950 (with swords) and 1,591,567 (without swords)
Award Documents
Stabsgefreiter Markus Pabst :
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Zapper
RealPoor Sensei
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 1512
Location: Connecticut
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 20:04 Post subject:
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My grandfather was a Lt. Comander on the USS Iowa. Forget the years. But I think he was in the navy for most of the war. He has passed away and when we were going through his stuff I remember finding medals, an interesting document that he got for passing the equator ( had somethign to do with neptune) He never spoke about the war.
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Rycrias
Luke Warm
Joined: 21 Oct 2002
Posts: 269
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 20:11 Post subject:
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Grandfather on my mothers side served as an American paratrooper in Europe. Grandfather on my fathers side was wounded while fighting in some capacity in Norway. (My grandparents still live in Bergen)
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Yabden
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 2485
Location: Ohio
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 21:06 Post subject:
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Grandpa - 1st army until after he went on the first wave of omaha beach then transfered to 101st airborn until he was wounded in the battle of the bulge. Germans were shelling their positions but setting the charges on the artillery to explode in the trees and send the huge splinters on top of them. He took one in the leg or something. Came back a month later and was shot in the hip. Ended up working at west point as a insturctor until going to Korea and being a quartermaster during that war.
His brothers - one drove the boats that dropped of people on beaches in the pacific. One was in the navy and survived the sinking of the USS Yorktown.
Uncle - Helicopter pilot in nam, lived
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Clevinger
Guest
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Posted: 01/22/04 - 21:10 Post subject:
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| Zapper wrote: | | My grandfather was a Lt. Comander on the USS Iowa. Forget the years. But I think he was in the navy for most of the war. He has passed away and when we were going through his stuff I remember finding medals, an interesting document that he got for passing the equator ( had somethign to do with neptune) He never spoke about the war. |
for becoming a shellback
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