War Tokens
Army Suit
vietnam
This army suit belonged to Julia H paternal grandfather, Dr. Albert H. He wore this suit in the Vietnam War in 1968. Dr. H was an ophthalmologist and a major in the war. Julia’s grandfather was aware that there were people trying to murder him because he saw that a lot of people were sick and wanted to help them, but there were not enough people to help them. He trained other people to be doctors like him and help them. People found out about this, and gave money to people to kill him. Dr. H brother, Jerome, welcomed him home from the war. Dr. Albert H was awarded the Bronze Star and was decorated by the Vietnamese government with a medal of honor, First Class.
The army suit is special to Julia H family because their grandfather wore it in the war and saved many people.
War Jacket
Germany
My Grandfather
Illeana C's maternal grandfather, Imre S, served in the US army from 1954 to 1956. He was stationed in Germany, near Nuremburg, and was a private first class in the 556 Ordinance. This jacket was part of his dress uniform that he wore on special occasions and when he went off base. He was proud to wear this jacket to serve his new country, the USA. Imre S is a Holocaust survivor whose family was killed in the concentration camps. After the war he went from Hungary to Germany. There, he was placed in a DP (displaced person) camp for three years until he was given a visa to come to the US. He was 24 years old at the time. He arrived in the USA in 1949, and became a US citizen. In 1954 he was drafted into the US army and was shipped back to Germany on the same ship that brought him to the USA, the General MB Stuart. He served in the US army from 1954 to 1956 when he was given an Honorable Discharge.
He is very proud of this accomplishment and kept his jacket as a remembrance.
Knife
Fort Dix
This metal knife belonged to Daniel G’s paternal grandfather, Benedict G. He was born in New Brunswick, NJ. In 1944, Benedict enlisted in the army instead of waiting to be drafted. He started at the Fort Dix, NJ training camp. Then he traveled to Camp Cawder, Missouri, and then took a troop train to San Francisco. From there, they shipped him off to the Pacific to go to Japan. He was in the Pacific Theatre and was fighting in WWII.
This item is important to the G family because it reminds the family of him, and his bravery.
Knife
Fort Dix
This metal knife belonged to Daniel G’s paternal grandfather,Benidict G. He was born in New Brunswick, NJ. In 1944, Benidict enlisted in the army instead of waiting to be drafted. He started at the Fort Dix, NJ training camp. Then he traveled to Camp Cawder, Missouri, and then took a troop train to San Francisco. From there, they shipped him off to the Pacific to go to Japan. He was in the Pacific Theatre and was fighting in WWII.
This item is important to the G family because it reminds the family of him, and his bravery.
Army Medals
United States
These US army dog tags belonged to Matthew L`s maternal great grandfather, David M. They were issued to him in 1942. They contain his army serial number, his blood type, and an “H” which stands for Hebrew. “Hebrews” was the term the US army used to refer to people of the Jewish faith. Matthew`s great grandfather, who he called Zadie David served in the US from June 1942 through September 1945, over 70 years ago. He fought against the Germans under General Patch and General Patton, two very famous US World War II generals. He fought in, North Africa-Casablanca, Tunis & Algiers, Sicily-Gela, Agrigento, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, and Czechoslovakia. He received the following awards on the day he was honorably discharged. They are good conduct award- this consists of a metal and a ribbon: Presidential citation-this also consists of a metal and a ribbon. This award was given to his entire battalion-which was the 382nd Port Battalion: Campaign medal-this award consist of a metal and a ribbon as well.
It is for service in the European Theatre of Operation. This ribbon has 8 stars because he fought in 8 battles. 1 silver, which signifies 5 battles and 3 bronze stars signifying 3 battles.
Navy Medals
United States
These special medals once belonged to Joseph G, great grandfather of Gabriel G. Joseph served for 18 months as a Sonar operator who was stationed on a third class destroyer that saw action in seven battles. In 1944 Joseph won the Navy Cross which was the Navy’s second highest military decoration. He was given a presidential citation for heroic conduct over and above the line of duty.
Joseph served in the liberation of the Philippines.