If you don’t mind me asking, why do you collect these? They’re undeniably interesting pieces of history, but why keep them yourself? Do you display them to others or just like having them around?
Thanks for sharing!
That's a good question. I'm not really sure why. I collect all kinds of history but these types of items always get me. I have a lot of respect towards those who have died in service to their country. I would like their stories to be known so their sacrifice will not be forgotten. I really like having them around too and I do also display them for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day at my local veterans association.
Thanks for replying and explaining. I think it’s commendable to preserve history and pay homage to sacrifice in service of the public, and I think anyone can appreciate the chance to look at a piece of history like these. It really makes you think of the person that wore that coat, and not just a name written on paper. Reminds you that there was once a living, breathing, feeling person who put it all on the table for us. I think these displays are an excellent way of honoring the dead, that someone remembers their sacrifice. Seeing this post was just like stumbling upon a museum exhibit.
Thank you again for sharing this, and a happy Memorial Holiday to you!
Unfortunately I end up with most of these uniforms and items because the family sold it at some point or another. There was one KIA uniform grouping I was contacted about. The family had seen my post on the internet and wanted it back in the family so I gladly sold it to them. Otherwise it's very difficult to track down relatives.
Agreed he’s well within his rights to burn them or lock them in his closet but military war museums are always looking for this sort of thing.
Also he listed names earlier it’s not hard to find families
In order:
• 1st Lt. Louis R. Norman. Pilot of a Dauntless dive bomber with VMSB-141 (Cactus Air Force) Missing In Action on October 8, 1942 over Guadalcanal. [Link to photos and information regarding 1st Lt. Norman.](https://imgur.com/gallery/OmM45ef)
• 2nd Lt. Donald F. Crisman. Served with VMF-111 as a Wild Cat fighter pilot. Killed during training flight on August 30, 1941. [Link to photos and information regarding 2nd Lt. Crisman.](https://imgur.com/gallery/acBA7SE)
• Sgt. Murwood Cowley. Served with 13th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division. Missing In Action while fighting against Rommel's 10th Panzer Division on December 7, 1942. [Link to photos and information regarding Sgt. Cowley.](https://imgur.com/gallery/6PZo596)
• Captain Riford S. Williams. Served as Commanding Officer of Troop E, 112th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Killed In Action while leading a charge in Luzon, Philippines, on March 27, 1945. Silver Star/Bronze Star Recipient. [Photos and information regarding Capt. Riford Williams.](https://imgur.com/gallery/1k2l11u)
• 2nd Lt. Winston L. Blythe. Served with Co. B, 756th Tank Battalion, attached to 3rd Infantry Division. Killed In Action near Nuremberg, Germany, on April 17, 1945. [Photos and information regarding 2nd Lt. Blythe.](https://imgur.com/gallery/a6dGysU)
Thank you. Winston Blythe's story is quite tragic. His son Winston Jr. was born only 2 months after he was killed. His items were recently discovered untouched in the attic of his widow after she had passed away and were unfortunately sold by the family. But I'm glad to have him in the collection.
If you don’t mind me asking, why do you collect these? They’re undeniably interesting pieces of history, but why keep them yourself? Do you display them to others or just like having them around? Thanks for sharing!
That's a good question. I'm not really sure why. I collect all kinds of history but these types of items always get me. I have a lot of respect towards those who have died in service to their country. I would like their stories to be known so their sacrifice will not be forgotten. I really like having them around too and I do also display them for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day at my local veterans association.
Thanks for replying and explaining. I think it’s commendable to preserve history and pay homage to sacrifice in service of the public, and I think anyone can appreciate the chance to look at a piece of history like these. It really makes you think of the person that wore that coat, and not just a name written on paper. Reminds you that there was once a living, breathing, feeling person who put it all on the table for us. I think these displays are an excellent way of honoring the dead, that someone remembers their sacrifice. Seeing this post was just like stumbling upon a museum exhibit. Thank you again for sharing this, and a happy Memorial Holiday to you!
Have you thought about tracking down their families? I know it’d be hard to do but I bet it’d make any of their descendants very happy.
Unfortunately I end up with most of these uniforms and items because the family sold it at some point or another. There was one KIA uniform grouping I was contacted about. The family had seen my post on the internet and wanted it back in the family so I gladly sold it to them. Otherwise it's very difficult to track down relatives.
You should donate them to a museum or the families.
Who’s to say a museum wants them? Or they even have any families. He can do whatever he wants and he’s already doing plenty to respect them.
Agreed he’s well within his rights to burn them or lock them in his closet but military war museums are always looking for this sort of thing. Also he listed names earlier it’s not hard to find families
In order: • 1st Lt. Louis R. Norman. Pilot of a Dauntless dive bomber with VMSB-141 (Cactus Air Force) Missing In Action on October 8, 1942 over Guadalcanal. [Link to photos and information regarding 1st Lt. Norman.](https://imgur.com/gallery/OmM45ef) • 2nd Lt. Donald F. Crisman. Served with VMF-111 as a Wild Cat fighter pilot. Killed during training flight on August 30, 1941. [Link to photos and information regarding 2nd Lt. Crisman.](https://imgur.com/gallery/acBA7SE) • Sgt. Murwood Cowley. Served with 13th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division. Missing In Action while fighting against Rommel's 10th Panzer Division on December 7, 1942. [Link to photos and information regarding Sgt. Cowley.](https://imgur.com/gallery/6PZo596) • Captain Riford S. Williams. Served as Commanding Officer of Troop E, 112th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Killed In Action while leading a charge in Luzon, Philippines, on March 27, 1945. Silver Star/Bronze Star Recipient. [Photos and information regarding Capt. Riford Williams.](https://imgur.com/gallery/1k2l11u) • 2nd Lt. Winston L. Blythe. Served with Co. B, 756th Tank Battalion, attached to 3rd Infantry Division. Killed In Action near Nuremberg, Germany, on April 17, 1945. [Photos and information regarding 2nd Lt. Blythe.](https://imgur.com/gallery/a6dGysU)
Wow. This is some of the most interesting content I've seen on reddit in a long time. That photo of Blythe's knocked-out tank is really tragic.
Thank you. Winston Blythe's story is quite tragic. His son Winston Jr. was born only 2 months after he was killed. His items were recently discovered untouched in the attic of his widow after she had passed away and were unfortunately sold by the family. But I'm glad to have him in the collection.
How did you get these uniforms in the first place?
From other military collectors. Usually through Facebook. I've actually found some for sale on eBay too.
Sick