Armored Infantryman Scout’s Field Jacket

[T1gertank519]

Hey guys! As I wrap up my thanksgiving break, I want to share a neat 3rd Armored Division grouping. I love collecting items from Spearhead, and this group is a spectacular addition to my collection. 

 

This M43 Field Jacket and Citation belonged to Corporal Walter Gryszka, a member of I & R Platoon, Headquarters Company, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment. Thank you to Walter’s family for sending me the citation and pictures. 

 

Walter spent most of his childhood roughhousing around Steubenville with his brothers. He worked as an inspector and had 4 years of High school before the army. His draft notice came in November 1941 at 26 years old. This was about a month before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Until the war, draftees only had to serve for one year. They were in for the duration once Pearl Harbor was hit. 

 

Walter fought in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), the Rhineland (Siegfried Line and crossing the Rhine river), and the drive into Central Germany. During the Bulge, Walter was one of the first GIs into Hotton. He went behind enemy lines and was in danger very often as an infantry scout. Cpl. Gryszka was discharged after spending a few months on Occupation duty in Germany. 

 

In 2002, Robert McDonald wrote to Gryszka for details about the battle of Hotton, but unfortunately received no reply. McDonald wrote the “Hotton Report” off of interviews and research. Thank you to the Gryszka family for helping me research Walter. 
 

[Benzeen1]

Nice!!

[M24 Chaffee]

Great grouping!

 

Frank

[T1gertank519]

Walter’s discharge papers, and a photo of him from 1942

[BelgianUScollector44]

very good looking M43 jacket!