Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share #151 Posted February 3, 2013 Another neat little item the General used on his desk is this letter opener modeled after the U.S.Army Saber. It is fully engraved on both sides and nickel plated. About 9" long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share #152 Posted February 3, 2013 After researching this Forum and studying the photos that I have, I feel confident that these are the actual boots that my Uncle wore in the ETO. Recently I picked up a nice representative M1 helmet and IKE jacket (which I will show later) to build my WWII mannequin. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted February 4, 2013 Share #153 Posted February 4, 2013 Nice group of cannons and the letter opener is killer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 4, 2013 Author Share #154 Posted February 4, 2013 Thanks again Firefighter. You are my biggest fan Below is a photo showing General Chesarek at a dinner party during his time as Commanding General of USAMC (March 1969 - Nov. 1970) Seated on his left is Major General Henry A Miley Jr. (Commanding General USAMC 1970 - 1975) Standing behind General Chesarek is his Aid, Colonel Van Meter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted February 4, 2013 Share #155 Posted February 4, 2013 Bob, I just had to post something. What an outstanding grouping !!!! Your presentation is first class all the way. I love the cannons and had a healthy collection of then at one time. My kids and I would get out my old blocks and build a castle, set up toy soldiers and then shoot projectiles. I had several cannons by Britains LTD. that shot far with force and we would knock it down. Truth be said sometimes I would do it without the kids. Thanks for bringing back those memories. Looks like Col. Van Meter was a capable soldier. Helicopter pilot ? Silver Star ? Looking forward to seeing what is next. I must admit that by far this is the best grouping posted. The main reason I say that is not only the thorough content and rare items but the fact that it is from your family. I'm glad it came your way, proud of the way you respect it and in awe of it's size. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share #156 Posted February 5, 2013 Peter, thanks for the kind words. I appreciate your continued interest. Other than documents and photos, that's about it for the "hardware". As I find anything more of importance I will be sure to post it here. Thanks, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted February 5, 2013 Share #157 Posted February 5, 2013 Photos and documents !!!! Keep it coming because I am sure that I'm not the only one who wants to see them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted February 5, 2013 Share #158 Posted February 5, 2013 It's easy to be a fan.Your uncle seems to be one amazing man and he kept everything.Glad to see item's like this displayed and not stuck in some trunk were nobody can enjoy and be mesmerized by this awesome grouping.I also agree with 'manayunkman', keep it coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share #159 Posted February 10, 2013 This week as I was going through a few photos, I found this personalized photo given to my Uncle by General Harold K. Johnson, Chief of Staff, U.S.Army Here is a little information about Gen. Johnson: Harold Keith Johnson was a professional soldier who became Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1966. General Johnson was the youngest man to hold that position since General Douglas MacArthur. Johnson was born in Bowesmont, North Dakota, in 1912. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1929, and the United States Military Academy in 1933. Captain Johnson was operations officer for the 57th Infantry Regiment in Manila, prior to the Pearl Harbor attack by Japan. The 57th was ordered to Bataan where the Japanese were engaged. Johnson was promoted to Major and then Lieutenant Colonel and given command of the battalion. After a surrender to the superior Japanese force, Johnson and the 57th were forced on the Bataan Death March, which claimed 8,150 prisoners. Johnson saw combat again in Korea, emerging from the conflict a full Colonel. In 1956, he was made a Brigadier General. In 1957, Johnson was named Chief of Staff of the US Seventh Army in Germany. General Johnson was chosen Chief of Staff to NATO's Central Army Group in West Germany in 1959. In 1964, General Johnson was named Chief of Staff of the US Army and was awarded his fourth star. The inscription reads as follows: To Jayne and Ches Chesarek: With my everlasting gratitude for a demonstration in integrity, devotion, and unique intellectual contribution to the solution of some of the Army's toughest problems. My deep admiration for you both. Harold K. Johnson Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share #160 Posted February 10, 2013 Colonel Chesarek serving up the turkey while stationed in Italy as Chief of Staff, SETAF (July 1960 - March 1961) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share #161 Posted February 10, 2013 Shown below are some items related to Ches's assignment to the AMC (United States Army Materiel Command) Something new.... and something old: I didn't post the whole article. Just the first two pages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share #162 Posted February 10, 2013 When Ches was promoted to General he had to purchase a new set of stars or two. Here is a set still in the original package. I did change the foam as the original foam had deteriorated to powder. This is a beautiful Sterling Silver set with either silver plated or nickel plated clasps. Black and white and color too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share #163 Posted February 12, 2013 There are several newspapers saved, some with big articles about Ches and some with just a blurb, such as this. These are both from the Washington Post dated Friday Feb. 21, 1969.....some 44 years ago. I thought this was of interest: Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share #164 Posted February 12, 2013 The General after retirement looking out of his home office window in Los Altos Hills, Ca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted February 12, 2013 Share #165 Posted February 12, 2013 Another great group of pictures.I like the stars.Thank you again for sharing General Chesarek's story, uniforms and treasures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share #166 Posted February 12, 2013 Yeah, those stars are nice. It's a labor of love. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share #167 Posted February 14, 2013 Couple of days ago I received a package from my Aunt. She had called and said that while she was cleaning out her old house she came across a few more things that belonged to my Uncle. There were some U.S.M.A. marked blankets (3), a green Army blanket marked U.S. in the center, some cuff links and neck ties and oh yeah, a belt. Well, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this belt and buckle set. Here it is in all of its Gold plated beauty! The detail on this buckle is amazing. He obviously bought this from the U.S.M.A. Cadet Store and I believe the frog is sized to fit a West Point sword. Are there any straps or other attachments missing? Thanks, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted February 15, 2013 Share #168 Posted February 15, 2013 WOWZERS!!! That is cool.Looks like a Civil War type buckle.Look's definitely used but not abused.That is going to look sharp in your display area, I mean museum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share #169 Posted February 16, 2013 U.S.M.A. blankets. Top left is a smaller size than the rest. Top right is a large wool blanket. Center is a large wool with yellow and navy blue stripes. Bottom is a U.S. marked Army wool blanket. All belonged to Uncle Ches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share #170 Posted February 16, 2013 WEST POINT UNIFORM! This week I completed assembly of General Chesareks West Point uniform mannequin. There was quite a bit of work involved with fitting such a small coat to a torso mannequin. First just finding something already made in a size to fit this coat was a challenge. After all here is a man with a 31" waist. Then I saw Styrofoam mannequin torsos being sold on Ebay by Webster Displays and I thought they might work. Well, when I received it and tried to fit the jacket on, there was no way it was gonna work. The mannequin was still too large. I started doing some research on the internet about the best way to cut foam and I found that you could make a home made hot wire cutter that would work. So I actually did make one (cuts like a hot knife through butter) and whittled the foam mannequin down until I finally could get the jacket on and button it. The mannequin as it comes, is supplied with a real basic plywood stand painted black and I decided to make something nicer. I found an old oak floor lamp that we were not using and repurposed it into a very nice adjustable stand. Shown below is the second of my "Uniforms of General Chesarek" collection. I think it came out pretty nice. Bob Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted February 16, 2013 Share #171 Posted February 16, 2013 Cool blanket.Was that something that was actually used at West Point or a souvenir type item for graduates? I have never seen one before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted February 16, 2013 Share #172 Posted February 16, 2013 Beautiful jacket.The stripes on the sleeve, are they his class rank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share #173 Posted February 16, 2013 Firefighter, thanks again. I would have to defer the questions about the West Point blankets to someone more familiar with U.S.M.A. history. He had them for a long time but whether or not these were sold at the West Point Store as "souvenirs" or were the actual "issued" blanket, I'm not sure. Looks like the grey one could have been issued though. And I'm not sure if the gold stripes are rank. Does anyone know the answers? Thanks, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted February 17, 2013 Share #174 Posted February 17, 2013 Firefighter, thanks again. I would have to defer the questions about the West Point blankets to someone more familiar with U.S.M.A. history. He had them for a long time but whether or not these were sold at the West Point Store as "souvenirs" or were the actual "issued" blanket, I'm not sure. Looks like the grey one could have been issued though. And I'm not sure if the gold stripes are rank. Does anyone know the answers? Thanks, Bob Either way the blankets are very nice looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share #175 Posted March 3, 2013 Need a little help identifying a couple of medals I found in the box of insignia. First is a medal showing a tank and a Rams head logo. Any ideas what this might be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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