Vpep Posted February 6, 2017 Share #1 Posted February 6, 2017 I was enjoying looking through this section, so I thought I would share my Grandfathers "Spoils". My grandfather PFC Leonard Pipitone got this during the Ardenne offensive. Just after midnight on January 8 1945 as the Germans were retreating, my grandfathers unit, Co. A of the 134th infantry regiment, was on 50 percent alert. This meant that one man in a fox hole could sleep while the other was watch. My grandfather had just gone on his watch when he heard a rustling in the trees in front of his hole. As he raised his M1 to fire, the german fired first, hitting him in the leg and knocking him down an embankment. His friend in the foxhole emptied an eight round clip into the german. They then administered first aid to him and told him that the German that they killed was wearing an American uniform and was trying to get back to his own lines. He was taken to the aid station and then later went through surgery. After surgery, the doctor gave him his this pocket knife with a 45 caliber bullet lodged in it. It had penetrated his leg and then hit his pocket knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazelot Posted February 6, 2017 Share #2 Posted February 6, 2017 That is definitely something you don't see every day. Thanks for sharing it with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Posted February 6, 2017 Share #3 Posted February 6, 2017 Very interesting, thank you for sharing. So, is it assumed that the German had a GI weapon as part of the American gear he was wearing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpep Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted February 6, 2017 As it was explained to my grandfather by his buddies, the german had a M1911 and was wearing an American uniform and equipment except he had a german canteen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luft Posted February 6, 2017 Share #5 Posted February 6, 2017 Very interesting, definitely a unique and uncommon "souvenir" Thanks for sharing! Thierry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted February 7, 2017 Share #6 Posted February 7, 2017 WOW! Great Artifact! Thanks for posting it. I wonder if it caused a worse wound or help prevent a worse injury. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted February 7, 2017 Share #7 Posted February 7, 2017 Oh my Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VenitHora Posted February 7, 2017 Share #8 Posted February 7, 2017 wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpep Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted February 7, 2017 According to my grandfather, it made a hole in his thigh the size of a base ball. His surgeon told him that if he was hit 1 centimeter over, he would have been crippled for life. As it turned out, he healed up well and after the war became a mail man in Manhattan and walked all over the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted February 7, 2017 Share #10 Posted February 7, 2017 Definitely unique, in the movies it's usually a pocket Bible, or cigarette case that stops the bullet. What a great souvenir. Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpep Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted February 7, 2017 Thanks for all the compliments. It's definitely a one of a kind piece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron3-6 Posted February 7, 2017 Share #12 Posted February 7, 2017 Wow, thanks for sharing. My granda was also 35th - I Co 137th, after the Bulge. Great story and glad he healed up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacreamer Posted February 8, 2017 Share #13 Posted February 8, 2017 That's an incredible piece of history right there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted February 8, 2017 Share #14 Posted February 8, 2017 Wow, amazing story and souvenir...thank you for posting! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclegrumpy Posted February 9, 2017 Share #15 Posted February 9, 2017 Check out this current thread's link: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/284280-numbered-purple-hearts-from-evacuation-hospitals-go/ I wonder if you could find your Grandfather listed in the link it contains Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpep Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share #16 Posted February 9, 2017 Thanks for the link. I know the site, and have added my grandfathers story and some photos of him. I was able to find him in his company's morning reports which they have listed there. It's pretty great since now I have a time frame in which to put his stories. Unfortunately I don't have his Purple Heart because it was stolen from his home in the 1950's. I would love some day to find it, but I'm not holding my breath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdk0911 Posted February 9, 2017 Share #17 Posted February 9, 2017 that is an awesome keep sake - as stated very cool indeed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron3-6 Posted February 12, 2017 Share #18 Posted February 12, 2017 You should send a picture of the knife and a picture of your grandfather to put on the 134th webpage: http://www.coulthart.com/134/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpep Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share #19 Posted February 13, 2017 I have spoken with the curator of the site and sent her some photos of him and the bullet with some of his stories. She has copies of his company's morning reports. I was able to find the report for the day he arrived and the one for the day he was wounded. It's a great site if you have an interest in the 134th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted February 14, 2017 Share #20 Posted February 14, 2017 Thats really amazing. One of the best things I have read in ages. Thanks for sharing this with us. owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpep Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share #21 Posted February 15, 2017 Thanks. Its my pleasure to share his story with people who can appreciate it. Im very proud of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted May 3, 2017 Share #22 Posted May 3, 2017 Thanks for sharing! Your grandfather served in one of the finest infantry regiments in the ETO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segedunum Posted May 3, 2017 Share #23 Posted May 3, 2017 Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USARV72 Posted May 3, 2017 Share #24 Posted May 3, 2017 Remarkable! Great family heirloom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flightpath Posted May 15, 2017 Share #25 Posted May 15, 2017 Everyone should carry a pocket knife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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