family WW2 pics

nolanbuc · 03-12-2007, 08:43 AM

I'm not sure if I have posted these before, I thought some might find them interesting.

The first is a larger version of my avatar. It's a pic sent home by my grandfather to his parents. The inscription reads "To the best parents in the world. Love, Buck"
The second is another of "Buck". The third is of "Buck" and his lovely bride (my paternal grandparents) probably right after the war. One of my all-time favorite family pics.

(If this is the wrong forum for this, please feel free to move them)

Owen · 03-12-2007, 10:15 AM

Excuse my ignorance of the US Military but what are those medals on Grandad's chest in the right hand picture?

nolanbuc · 03-12-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owen D

Excuse my ignorance of the US Military but what are those medals on Grandad's chest in the right hand picture?

Not at all, thanks for asking.

They are weapons qualifications badges (fairly certain anyways). I think the left one is an "Expert" bagde (the highest level of proficiency), and the right one is a "Sharpshooter" badge ( the 2nd highest level).

Not sure which weapons he rated the highest in. I'll try to zoom in on the original scan and read the bar. Good question, thanks!

Owen · 03-12-2007, 10:41 AM

Wonder if the other one is this one with the additional rung?
U.S. Marine Corps Weapons Qualification Badges (Model #:1603 MCPST-EX)

Quote:

If a Marine achieves the score of “expert” multiple times in his or her career, an additional "rung" may be added to the badge denoting the number of awards earned.

nolanbuc · 03-12-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owen D

Wonder if the other one is this one with the additional rung?
U.S. Marine Corps Weapons Qualification Badges (Model #:1603 MCPST-EX)

I think you have it! I stand corrected. Good find!

Owen · 03-12-2007, 10:49 AM

As he was pretty handy with fire-arms , did he use them much Post-War?

nolanbuc · 03-12-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owen D

As he was pretty handy with fire-arms , did he use them much Post-War?

Within a year of war's end, he became a carpenter, got married, and they had my dad. Grandad was known to be an avid hunter, so I'm sure his hunting rifles and shotguns were put to frequent use.

Gotthard Heinrici · 03-12-2007, 11:21 AM

Fantastic pictures Nolan and indeed the resemblance is definitely there! Where did he serve in the Pacific?

nolanbuc · 03-12-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotthard Heinrici

Fantastic pictures Nolan and indeed the resemblance is definitely there! Where did he serve in the Pacific?

I wish I knew for sure. As most vets, he talked very little about his war experiences afterward. My dad remembers him saying he was on Bouganville and Okinawa, but I have no way of knowing if it was first wave or garrison duty. Nothing in the papers he left behind tells us for sure, and his letters would have been censored if he'd tried to give a hint there.

You have piqued my interest though, I will have to find out. I have been meaning to send for his official military records for years but never got around to it.

Gotthard Heinrici · 03-12-2007, 12:39 PM

Now that would be an avenue to follow up. I shall have to look up bougainville and Okinawa again to brush up my knowledge on the battles.

03-12-2007, 08:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
nolanbuc Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North Mississippi Posts: 222	family WW2 pics I'm not sure if I have posted these before, I thought some might find them interesting. The first is a larger version of my avatar. It's a pic sent home by my grandfather to his parents. The inscription reads "To the best parents in the world. Love, Buck" The second is another of "Buck". The third is of "Buck" and his lovely bride (my paternal grandparents) probably right after the war. One of my all-time favorite family pics. (If this is the wrong forum for this, please feel free to move them) __________________ (my avatar is Sgt. Bill R. "Buck" Buchanan, USMC Pacific Theater...or grandad to me) "All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us... they can't get away this time." - Lieutenant General Lewis B."Chesty" Puller, USMC World Sports Talk Forum

03-12-2007, 11:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
Gotthard Heinrici Pog mo thon Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,856	Fantastic pictures Nolan and indeed the resemblance is definitely there! Where did he serve in the Pacific? __________________ *"The Eastern front is like a house of cards. If the front is broken through at one point all the rest will collapse."* - General Heinz Guderian

03-12-2007, 12:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
Gotthard Heinrici Pog mo thon Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,856	Now that would be an avenue to follow up. I shall have to look up bougainville and Okinawa again to brush up my knowledge on the battles. __________________ *"The Eastern front is like a house of cards. If the front is broken through at one point all the rest will collapse."* - General Heinz Guderian

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03-12-2007, 10:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,309	Excuse my ignorance of the US Military but what are those medals on Grandad's chest in the right hand picture?

03-12-2007, 10:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,309	As he was pretty handy with fire-arms , did he use them much Post-War?

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