Last weekend, my parents came into town to visit for my son's baby dedication at church. They surprised me by bringing my grandfather's 30-06 and giving it to me. Growing up, my family wasn't really into hunting and I had only been shown this rifle a couple of times. I've recently been getting more into shooting & hunting (thanks primarily to the OB), so my parents thought it would be nice to pass this rifle down to me since it was just sitting at their house. Anyway, I thought I'd share a little bit about my grandfather and the rifle...seemed like something some of you may be interested in.
My grandfather, Hulon Brocke Whittington, received the Medal of Honor during WWII. He was a member of the 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels" during Operation Cobra, which is when the action occurred leading to his Medal of Honor. Here is the citation for his award:
Another cool fact is that he served as the model for “G.I. Joe: American Legion Soldier”, a thirteen foot tall limestone statue located at American Legion headquarters, 1608 K Street, Washington, D.C.
He is featured in a book written by Mark Bando, entitled "Breakout at Normandy-The 2nd Armored Division in the Land of the Dead". And here is an article that tells a little more about his life and his service for our country:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gaschley/medalofhonor.htm
Unfortunately, he passed away in 1969 when my stepdad was 16. However, "Rocky" as he was known, has lived on in our family and was a big part of the ceremony when his wife, my grandmother, passed away this past spring. She was very proud of him for as long as I knew her and it has been an honor for me to be part of that family. Here is a picture of my late grandmother with his Medal of Honor:
The rifle is a 1928 Springfield M1903 that has been sporterized. I know sporterized M1903s are a dime a dozen, but the craftsmanship on the carving and engraving is something else. I'm not entirely sure how/why my grandfather was given this gun. The best we can figure, it was given to him in the late 50's/early 60's. The gentleman that gave it to him had the stock carved and inlaid with ivory and the metal components engraved and inlaid with silver in Japan. My parents took it to a gunsmith to get cleaned up and to put a new scope on it. I was told that a condition of me receiving it was that I had to use it. So I will, but only in very controlled situations. If you look closely at the picture of the buttstock with the deer on it, you can see the Japanese symbols from the person that carved it.
[This message has been edited by txaggie05 (edited 12/16/2010 5:40p).]
My grandfather, Hulon Brocke Whittington, received the Medal of Honor during WWII. He was a member of the 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels" during Operation Cobra, which is when the action occurred leading to his Medal of Honor. Here is the citation for his award:
quote:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On the night of 29 July 1944, near Grimesnil, France, during an enemy armored attack, Sergeant Whittington, a squad leader, assumed command of his platoon when the platoon leader and platoon sergeant became missing in action. He reorganized the defense, and under fire courageously crawled between gun positions to check the actions of his men. When the advancing enemy attempted to penetrate a road block, Sergeant Whittington, completely disregarding intense enemy action, mounted a tank and by shouting through the turret, directed it into a position to fire point blank at the leading Mark V German tank. The destruction of this vehicle blocked all movement of the remaining enemy column, consisting of over 100 vehicles of a Panzer unit. The blocked vehicles were then destroyed by hand grenades, bazooka, tank and artillery fire and large numbers of enemy personnel were wiped out by a bold and resolute bayonet charge inspired by Sergeant Whittington. When the medical aid man had become a casualty, Sergeant Whittington personally administered first aid to his wounded men, The dynamic leadership, the inspiring example and the dauntless courage of Sergeant Whittington, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service."
Another cool fact is that he served as the model for “G.I. Joe: American Legion Soldier”, a thirteen foot tall limestone statue located at American Legion headquarters, 1608 K Street, Washington, D.C.
He is featured in a book written by Mark Bando, entitled "Breakout at Normandy-The 2nd Armored Division in the Land of the Dead". And here is an article that tells a little more about his life and his service for our country:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gaschley/medalofhonor.htm
Unfortunately, he passed away in 1969 when my stepdad was 16. However, "Rocky" as he was known, has lived on in our family and was a big part of the ceremony when his wife, my grandmother, passed away this past spring. She was very proud of him for as long as I knew her and it has been an honor for me to be part of that family. Here is a picture of my late grandmother with his Medal of Honor:
The rifle is a 1928 Springfield M1903 that has been sporterized. I know sporterized M1903s are a dime a dozen, but the craftsmanship on the carving and engraving is something else. I'm not entirely sure how/why my grandfather was given this gun. The best we can figure, it was given to him in the late 50's/early 60's. The gentleman that gave it to him had the stock carved and inlaid with ivory and the metal components engraved and inlaid with silver in Japan. My parents took it to a gunsmith to get cleaned up and to put a new scope on it. I was told that a condition of me receiving it was that I had to use it. So I will, but only in very controlled situations. If you look closely at the picture of the buttstock with the deer on it, you can see the Japanese symbols from the person that carved it.
[This message has been edited by txaggie05 (edited 12/16/2010 5:40p).]
