My Grail, and the story behind it.

[Old Fashion PB and J]

When I began collecting again a few years back I saw a picture of a book that really caught my attention. The book was All-Star Comics #12, the cover is all of the JSA in the large "V" for victory. I have always had fascination of WW2 as both of my grandfathers fought on the frontlines. My mothers father was a tanker, and fought in Berlin and many other large battles. He was discharged after getting shot in the leg and being sent to England, he was awarded the purple heart, bronze star and other medals for doing his part for his country and fellow man. What I do NOT have is the document from the government stating he was KIA. He saved the life of a new captain who joined up with his group after the last was killed. The new guy wandered off and got a little too close to a group of Germans, and my grandfather ran and tackled him as they opened fire. He was sent to england shortly after, but at this point the war was nearing the end and communications were a bit slow. He was reported dead to my grand mother before arriving one night on the doorstep of their home. The letters he wrote arrived shortly thereafter. I have pictures of Berlin and a few other places with before and after that he took while active. As well as some other pictures of him in a German soldiers hat with his gun. That soldier apparently did not fare well. The gun was brought home and given to a VFW, I do not know which. My grandfather died when I was 17 and I never got to ask him so many questions that I would now. But I keep all of his documents, medals, patches, pictures, and foreign currency he accumulated in his time in germany and france.

 

My Fathers father was also in the Army. Different section though. The only story he ever told was of Normandy Beach. He was there for the first wave, and was lucky enough to survive. The only thing he ever said about the Wars he fought was this about Normandy Beach "I my pants in the first five minutes of touching the ground, and didnt get the chance to change them for two days". He would not speak anything else about this epic battle, and I understand why after seeing documentaries and such. He was heavily decorated and went on to fight in the Korean War as well. He left active duty in th 1960's. His medals were unfortunately sold for the most part over the years, and while there are a few left I do not have them at this moment in time. I have had his dogtags since he passed when I was 10 years old, and miss him quite a bit. He was probably the toughest man I ever met for being 6 foot tall and 165 lbs. He joined the Army underaged with many other Irish kids from So.Philladelphia. I have his Dogtags in the photos below.

 

These are some of the pieces I have of my grandfathers past. And hopefully they will be passed on to my son. These two men will always be a huge influence in my life, and remind me of what I have thanks to what they fought for. My sons middle name was my grandfathers first name in honer of his memory.

 

My Grail All-Star Comics 12

[VintageComics]

The impact our childhood experiences have on us is immeasurable.

Those little windows of experience do more to shape us than those long drawn out life lessons often teach us.

 

Cool story Pat. Great family history and a great book to remember them by.

 

R.

 

 

[buttock]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing!

[ashrael]

Thanks for sharing

[Mac Man]

Very cool! I noticed the 1st Armor Division patch--I was in that division when I was in the service. Nice story!

[agro23]

I always like stories like this! (thumbs u

[Old Fashion PB and J]

Thanks guys. I have to get more pictures to add. Should get them tonight. Some crazy before and after shots of leveled towns and such.

[Ze-man]

Nice book and story Pat, your post made me realize it's been awhile since I checked on my neighbor Dale who also stormed Normandy.

 

Did I miss it , or did you just land that book?

 

 

[Old Fashion PB and J]

Just came about 2 weeks ago.

[RedFury]

Great story, Pat. And nice pick-up. All-Stars a great books, and that one's a classic. (thumbs u

 

My grandfather is 86 and is a WWII Army Air Corps vet. He was born and raised in the Philadelphia area and now lives about 25 miles north of the city. He flew missions in England, France, North Africa, Italy, and Germany. On D-Day, he dropped paratroopers behind the German lines. I asked him about this recently. I had thought that the paratroops were dropped before dawn, but he said his mission was in the late morning. I guess the invasion was pretty much a constant thing for days, so that makes sense.

 

My wife's grandfather is a WWII Navy vet who has lived in South Jersey all his life. He's 85 now. He was a crewman on a troop transport ship making runs across the Atlantic.

 

I know both of these men saw some pretty horrible things during the war. But when they talk about the war (and they both like to), they always tell the funny stories. Stories about their friends and people they met, and of course women.

 

The one sad story I remember my grandfather telling me happened in North Africa. He saw a young boy shot in the street for stealing food. He said he remembered thinking "What has this world come to that this could happen?"

[telerites]

Congrats on your grail. That story is touching in many ways. Your closing about the boy especially so - almost every victim of war is innocent - the young even more. Thanks for sharing and it is a great book!

[MrBedrock]

Thank you for sharing Pat. (thumbs u Congrats on the books.

[G.A.tor]

way cool dude...glad you got it!

[Old Fashion PB and J]

Great story, Pat. And nice pick-up. All-Stars a great books, and that one's a classic. (thumbs u

 

My grandfather is 86 and is a WWII Army Air Corps vet. He was born and raised in the Philadelphia area and now lives about 25 miles north of the city. He flew missions in England, France, North Africa, Italy, and Germany. On D-Day, he dropped paratroopers behind the German lines. I asked him about this recently. I had thought that the paratroops were dropped before dawn, but he said his mission was in the late morning. I guess the invasion was pretty much a constant thing for days, so that makes sense.

 

My wife's grandfather is a WWII Navy vet who has lived in South Jersey all his life. He's 85 now. He was a crewman on a troop transport ship making runs across the Atlantic.

 

I know both of these men saw some pretty horrible things during the war. But when they talk about the war (and they both like to), they always tell the funny stories. Stories about their friends and people they met, and of course women.

 

The one sad story I remember my grandfather telling me happened in North Africa. He saw a young boy shot in the street for stealing food. He said he remembered thinking "What has this world come to that this could happen?"

 

Very cool. I wish Icould have heard more stories from them, but they both passed.

 

 

I dont think my parents were surprised to hear my son would take my grandfather name as his middle name. I always said I would do this.

 

And I am glad to share this story. And this comics importance to me. Historically this is my favorite piece of comic books mixed with American History. The covers of Hitler getting beat up, and whichever threat amde the cover that month is very cool for propaganda. But this one is history. This one just says we won. (thumbs u

[thehumantorch]

Great story Pat.

[juggernaut]

Thanks for sharing the story with all of us.