User Panel
|
Great stuff! Looks like your grandfather and my uncle, Mike Gallinoto, fought for our freedoms in WWII. Here is a partial history on his unit:
http://www.warfoto.com/3rdsocietyphotos.htm They were called the Greatest Generation for good reason. |
|
|
it's intresting that he is wearing Engineer brass in the picture but he got a CIB .......
|
|
|
|
His shot records were never good enough...
I bet he got triple the amount of shots on those records. |
|
Quoted:
His shot records were never good enough... I bet he got triple the amount of shots on those records. View Quote He has joked about the needles used for the shots a number of times. He describes them being about "that big" and holds up his index finger and thumb kinda like you'd do when making the OK sign. Apparently blood born pathogens weren't much of an issue either as the orderly would draw up a massive syringe full of whatever medical stuff was in the shot and then pump a squirt into each solider that passed by until it was empty. |
|
Quoted:
He has joked about the needles used for the shots a number of times. He describes them being about "that big" and holds up his index finger and thumb kinda like you'd do when making the OK sign. Apparently blood born pathogens weren't much of an issue either as the orderly would draw up a massive syringe full of whatever medical stuff was in the shot and then pump a squirt into each solider that passed by until it was empty. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
His shot records were never good enough... I bet he got triple the amount of shots on those records. He has joked about the needles used for the shots a number of times. He describes them being about "that big" and holds up his index finger and thumb kinda like you'd do when making the OK sign. Apparently blood born pathogens weren't much of an issue either as the orderly would draw up a massive syringe full of whatever medical stuff was in the shot and then pump a squirt into each solider that passed by until it was empty. Bsck the needles had to be sharpened by hand, syringes washed and reassembled Ain't No body got time fo dat |
|
Quoted:
Bsck the needles had to be sharpened by hand, syringes washed and reassembled Ain't No body got time fo dat View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
His shot records were never good enough... I bet he got triple the amount of shots on those records. He has joked about the needles used for the shots a number of times. He describes them being about "that big" and holds up his index finger and thumb kinda like you'd do when making the OK sign. Apparently blood born pathogens weren't much of an issue either as the orderly would draw up a massive syringe full of whatever medical stuff was in the shot and then pump a squirt into each solider that passed by until it was empty. Bsck the needles had to be sharpened by hand, syringes washed and reassembled Ain't No body got time fo dat The other story he tells is about when they asked if he wanted to buy life insurance. It was around $12 of the $50 a month they paid him IIRC. I'll have to confirm those numbers. Whatever the actual numbers they were a big chunk of his Private's pay so he said he didn't want it. The Sargent told him, "ok, go stand over there until we can get to you" as most people were taking it. Gramps went and stood in the corner for a good long while. Going back up to the line he was again asked if he wanted insurance. Again he said no and was instructed to go stand in the corner until they could get to him. I'm sure the amount of time he spent standing off to the side has grown since the 1940's but apparently it took several iterations before it sunk in that he was taking the damn insurance whether he wanted it or not. |
|
Quoted: I *think* that first picture posted (the one from my nightstand) is from when he was in the Army Specialized Training Program prior to that program ending. That would make sense, as I have a certificate showing his completion of Basic Engineering I at the University of Mississippi in March 1944. It would explain the engineer emblem on the hat and the (I think) 8th Armored Group flash on his left shoulder. After ASTP program is ended he was dumped in the infantry and ended up in the 94th. http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/Gramps/7762A7AC-650F-49A4-9C69-7FC954AFB4D8_zpsszu0ovnu.jpg ETA: I have the original envelope for this certificate also and it says: University of Mississippi. Department of Military Science and Tactics. University, MISS in the traditional return address location. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: it's intresting that he is wearing Engineer brass in the picture but he got a CIB ....... Everyone was infantry coded back then. Even Signal, if I recall correctly. I *think* that first picture posted (the one from my nightstand) is from when he was in the Army Specialized Training Program prior to that program ending. That would make sense, as I have a certificate showing his completion of Basic Engineering I at the University of Mississippi in March 1944. It would explain the engineer emblem on the hat and the (I think) 8th Armored Group flash on his left shoulder. After ASTP program is ended he was dumped in the infantry and ended up in the 94th. http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/Gramps/7762A7AC-650F-49A4-9C69-7FC954AFB4D8_zpsszu0ovnu.jpg ETA: I have the original envelope for this certificate also and it says: University of Mississippi. Department of Military Science and Tactics. University, MISS in the traditional return address location. |
|
Talked to Gramps tonight and got him to tell me the story he's told a few times about "the best drink he's ever had".
The story takes place somewhere near Ludwigshafen, which dates it to possibly between 20 to 24-March of 1944. The 94th had been on a long drive into Germany and, as Gramps puts it, had "been tearing up the patch". Along the way he and a buddy spotted an old woman carrying a basket of twigs, ostensibly for a fire. Apparently it was a sorry looking pile of twigs but all the woman could muster. Keeping in mind that old to a 20 year old is relative (she could have been 50 something for all he knew) the stark reality was it was all the old woman had. For whatever reason Gramps and the buddy helped her carry the basket of twigs to the hovel that was her house. Apparently she motioned for them to stay and she quickly reappeared with a small tray with a green bottle of what turned out to be Schnapps. She poured them all a drink and then had the presence of mind to take a drink to reassure them it wasn't poisoned or tainted. As Gramps put it, she offered me a drink......and I took it. He's never been shy about having a drink or two so I'm sure that situation was no different. You could almost hear him reliving the scene in his mind as he retold the story. As he told it he wasn't really sure why he helped her carry the basket, or why she was nice enough to reciprocate with a drink, but in the midst of all he had been experiencing it was a touching dose of humanity. |
|
Neat stuff, thanks for sharing it with us.
Here's an interesting book I found online written by a Don Parks, who also was in ASTP in U Miss and moved to the 94th. Perhaps your grandfather knew him. http://historicaltextarchive.com/books.php?action=nextpre&bid=71 Also, here's some info on the ASTP that is in the history forum: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_63/1645340_Collegiate_Soldiers__the_Army_Specialized_Training_Program_in_WWII.html |
|
|
Great story OP.
Respectfully, It appears that Gramps was an Engineer. Did they issue CIB's to Engineers in those days? |
|
Quoted:
Great story OP. Respectfully, It appears that Gramps was an Engineer. Did they issue CIB's to Engineers in those days? View Quote Addressed further up thread. The engineer badge/8th armor patch picture was *I think* from when he was in Army Specialized Training Program prior to the cancellation of that program. He refers to that as "the good times" when he spent time at LSU and Ole Miss. Then the Army canceled the program and dumped everybody in the infantry. That's when he ended up in the 94th as a regular infantry guy. |
|
Great pics OP. Always cool to see "new" pics that haven't been in circulation.
|
|
Thank you for sharing these family treasures with us. My grandfather was also Army in Europe but he never really talked about his service. I wish I could find out more about what he did. I don't even have a unit or anything.
|
|
Thank you OP for the epic post. Even day to day life big or small is important in my book. Just glad the Internet became a thing while people of your Grandfathers Generation are alive, and things are recorded and posted. Will gladly take any, and everything they have to tell.
|
|
Man that was awesome. Please tell your Grandfather thank you! Bigfeet |
|
|
Quoted:
Addressed further up thread. The engineer badge/8th armor patch picture was *I think* from when he was in Army Specialized Training Program prior to the cancellation of that program. He refers to that as "the good times" when he spent time at LSU and Ole Miss. Then the Army canceled the program and dumped everybody in the infantry. That's when he ended up in the 94th as a regular infantry guy. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Great story OP. Respectfully, It appears that Gramps was an Engineer. Did they issue CIB's to Engineers in those days? Addressed further up thread. The engineer badge/8th armor patch picture was *I think* from when he was in Army Specialized Training Program prior to the cancellation of that program. He refers to that as "the good times" when he spent time at LSU and Ole Miss. Then the Army canceled the program and dumped everybody in the infantry. That's when he ended up in the 94th as a regular infantry guy. Thanks. This is a cool thread. |
|
Quoted:
Talked to Gramps tonight and got him to tell me the story he's told a few times about "the best drink he's ever had". The story takes place somewhere near Ludwigshafen, which dates it to possibly between 20 to 24-March of 1944. The 94th had been on a long drive into Germany and, as Gramps puts it, had "been tearing up the patch". Along the way he and a buddy spotted an old woman carrying a basket of twigs, ostensibly for a fire. Apparently it was a sorry looking pile of twigs but all the woman could muster. Keeping in mind that old to a 20 year old is relative (she could have been 50 something for all he knew) the stark reality was it was all the old woman had. For whatever reason Gramps and the buddy helped her carry the basket of twigs to the hovel that was her house. Apparently she motioned for them to stay and she quickly reappeared with a small tray with a green bottle of what turned out to be Schnapps. She poured them all a drink and then had the presence of mind to take a drink to reassure them it wasn't poisoned or tainted. As Gramps put it, she offered me a drink......and I took it. He's never been shy about having a drink or two so I'm sure that situation was no different. You could almost hear him reliving the scene in his mind as he retold the story. As he told it he wasn't really sure why he helped her carry the basket, or why she was nice enough to reciprocate with a drink, but in the midst of all he had been experiencing it was a touching dose of humanity. View Quote Yep, better than the best drink in the fanciest bar. He remembers it to this day. The spirit in which it was offered and the context made all the difference. That's awesome. If you're grandpa had been a Russian soldier that story would be very different. Once again, God Bless your grampaw. |
|
Quoted:
Nice to meet your grandpa. Here's me and my grandpa a few years ago. https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/267842_10100343356966743_4328404_n.jpg?oh=94a900a86137cd51f742a08e3afa6b87&oe=55689B83&__gda__=1431465554_5c86c9d220405d9616a616b05f9d738f Buried in Arlington, Army Intelligence. We have a Beretta pocket pistol he stole from a German officer's desk View Quote When I go to the National cemetery on Veteran's day and Memorial day, too many graves with no visitors. Not everyone cares about their dead parents and grandparents. Good job, man. |
|
|
Cool, OP. Thanks for sharing. Your grandpa is one of the greatest men that ever walked this Earth. Takes a special kind of person to be a soldier, more so in a time of war.
|
|
Quoted:
Gramps gave me this last year. It's a camera he brought home from the war. He has the piece of paper authorizing him to bring it back (I've seen it) but I don't have physical possession of that paper. Like I said, I've seen it and that makes this piece even more cool IMO. http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/Gramps/6C6B595B-109F-4FB8-8ABC-ACD6F67E8D7B_zpsbnsolghw.jpg http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/Gramps/FB00AA64-1B49-422D-B530-8EDD8F152A99_zpsfm0sbva4.jpg http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/Gramps/B63512D8-4956-4A99-9E35-D860A9F25E79_zpsvgvuvgyf.jpg Information about the camera mined from the interwebs.... View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Gramps gave me this last year. It's a camera he brought home from the war. He has the piece of paper authorizing him to bring it back (I've seen it) but I don't have physical possession of that paper. Like I said, I've seen it and that makes this piece even more cool IMO. http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/Gramps/6C6B595B-109F-4FB8-8ABC-ACD6F67E8D7B_zpsbnsolghw.jpg http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/Gramps/FB00AA64-1B49-422D-B530-8EDD8F152A99_zpsfm0sbva4.jpg http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/Gramps/B63512D8-4956-4A99-9E35-D860A9F25E79_zpsvgvuvgyf.jpg Information about the camera mined from the interwebs.... A basic 6x9 folding roll film camera, which uses 620 film format. The 620 film was introduced by Kodak in 1931 as an alternative to the 120. It is nearly the same film on a slightly different all metal spool.
There are a large variety of Kodak cameras with a model name "Junior". If you just mention "Kodak Junior" you might mean one type in a group of over a dozen different cameras.This Kodak Junior 620 is one of the latest models. The Production begun in 1933 by Contessa Nettel Germany and was terminated in 1939. (In Germany) The lens is Kodak Anastigmat 1:7,7/10,5cm. The shutter speeds are T, B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/125. You may notice a self timer but not a flash contact because there isn't´t any. The shutter release is as usual on the shutter housing which also has a cable-release socket. The camera has a waist level and a frame eye level viewfinders. I think I have one of those , too. I have about all of the german stuff my great uncle (I guess that's the term - my grandmother's brother) brought back. He died around 1970. He was in the 6th armored division. So I don't really know what he did in the war, but he did apparently make it to tech sergeant. I think he would have been in his mid twenties then. Only weapon brought back that I know of was a KAR 98K, which unfortunately my grandfather had sporterized. I had the original stock around somewhere. I hope my parents didn't throw it out, as I would like to restore it as much as possible. They did a magazine like the one you posted too, but it was done before they went to europe. Also have a flag that would have been used on a vehicle (grommets on all four corners), wife beater tank tops for PT, helmet, army dagger, sword, lots of pins, and a parachute (all that is left is the drogue chute). Maybe there ought to be a section where people can post about their relatives who served, instead of GD? I don't know if the one for military members is appropriate for this sort of history. |
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.