Grandpa passed away today.

[angellous_evangellous]

Here we go -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marksmanship_Badge_(United_States)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Armyqual.jpg

 

[Just_me_Mike]

OK Dan, I figured it out, the Cross is for Marksmen in those particular weapons.

Marksman

 

[Just_me_Mike]

Here we go -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marksmanship_Badge_(United_States)

File:Armyqual.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks AE, you beat me too it.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

A simple bio of his place in the war for those interested.

As part of the build up for operation Overload, the Normandy invasion, the 2d Infantry Division was transferred from fort Sam Houston to Ireland in October, 1943. There it spent ten months undergoing extensive training. On 7 June, 1944, D-Day + 1, the division stormed ashore at bloody Omaha Beach. While other units were stalled by the determined German resistance to the west, the Indianheads blasted through the hedgerows of Normandy. After fierce, 39-day battle, the 2d Division, fighting in the streets and alleyways, finally took their objective as the vital port city of Brest, which was liberated on 18 September, 1944. Once mop up operations were complete in the Normandy region, the division turned west and plunged headlong across France. From positions around St. Vith, Belgium, the Second was ordered, on 11 December, 1944, to attack and seize the Roer River dams. Having pierced the dreaded Siegfried Line, the division was advancing when Nazi Field Marshal Gerd Von Rundstedt unleashed a powerful German offensive in the Ardennes. Throughout this Battle of the Bulge the 2d Infantry Division held fast, preventing the enemy from seizing key roads leading to the cities of Liege and Antwerp. Resuming the offensive on 6 February, 1945, the division joined the race to annihilate the fleeing Wehrmacht. Transferred from the First Army to Patton’s Third Army, the Indianheads spent their last days of the European War in a dash across Czechoslovakia, finally halting in the town of Pilsen. This city became a meeting point between invading armies from east and from west. It was in Pilsen that the soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division first met their Soviet allies who represented the forces of communism that they would face so often in the future, no longer as allies.

source

 

[angellous_evangellous]

You should be able to find most of them here:

U.S. Army Individual Decorations

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I'm sorry to hear it. Sounds like he made his mark on the world.

 

[DallasApple]

Your grandfather was great..

Main or one of them? Not the medals..Your love of him..

That would (I bet ) make him most proud..

YOU honor him..Indeed..

Love

Dallas

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Belated condolences, Mike. You and yours are in my prayers.

 

[dust1n]

Thanks everyone. Tragically late in his life he was kidnapped and much of his possession were lost. Most of his military stuff was sold or stolen, so we only have pictures mostly now. A friend still has some great photos of his stuff, so I am sharing a few. My grandpa had 15 medals, he would always say they might be worth a cup of coffee
Also, a young shot of him in uniform.

Wowwe. He rocked the world.

I hope this doesn't sound rude or anything, but it looks like this man has seen hell on Earth (as well as the better half) and lived a long, full life. May his being rejoice in eternal bliss.

 

[mho123]

He went peacefully in his sleep. Thanks everyone...

My condolances,,
WHat monsters do you mean?

 

[Just_me_Mike]

Wowwe. He rocked the world.

I hope this doesn't sound rude or anything, but it looks like this man has seen hell on Earth (as well as the better half) and lived a long, full life. May his being rejoice in eternal bliss.

I have had the pleasure of living with him the last 5 years of his life even if he wasn't all there he remembered a lot about his military life.
He spent 24 years in the army and then another 24 year at National Geographic.

He was a great man and I remember early in college when I was taking a class in social science and we were discussing character, integrity and similar subjects. It was the first time I realized I couldn't help but think my grandfather was the best examples of those words in my life then and even today.
He is one of a kind in many ways to me

 

[dust1n]

I have had the pleasure of living with him the last 5 years of his life even if he wasn't all there he remembered a lot about his military life.
He spent 24 years in the army and then another 24 year at National Geographic.

He was a great man and I remember early in college when I was taking a class in social science and we were discussing character, integrity and similar subjects. It was the first time I realized I couldn't help but think my grandfather was the best examples of those words in my life then and even today.
He is one of a kind in many ways to me

People come and go, but it's memories that have the potential to last forever.

 

[.lava]

My condolances, Mike

.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

Thanks again everyone. Going tomorrow to Fort Jackson to try and obtain his medals back, and get him a new uniform. I have some other cool pics to post, but I'll have to do it a bit later.

 

[Sunstone]

Belated condolences, Mike.