My Grandad and Great Grandad’s Uniforms (WWII Alaska Transport Corps, Cold War)

[MinorInHistory]

These uniforms belonged to my Grandfather and Great Grandfather.
 

My Great Grandfather (second from left in photo) served during WWII as an army railroader in Alaska. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t a huge fan of the region because of the extreme weather. Before and after the war, he worked for the B&O Railroad, as seen by the leather discharge folder he was given when returning to the B&O. He was an extremely intelligent man, and his love for the railroad carried over to my Grandfather and then me, all three of us having model train tables. 
 

My Grandfather joined the Army in 1968, serving in Germany, Crete, and Stateside. He guarded missile bases on the Czechoslovakian border as an MP, and he told me they would’ve had 15 minutes to fire off all their missiles before they were destroyed. Grandad also was in the Old Guard from 1975 to 1980, B Company. He has so many fascinating stories, too many to tell. 
 

Grandad has had an enormous influence on my love for the military, giving me my first collection items back when I was really young and telling me war stories. I have the utmost respect for both of their service, and they make me proud to be a Ritchie. 

[Backtheattack]

Great items! Do you know where at the czech border this missile base you talked about was?

[MinorInHistory]

On 1/28/2023 at 11:39 AM, Backtheattack said:

Great items! Do you know where at the czech border this missile base you talked about was?

Hello! I’m not sure, I’ll ask him! 

[Backtheattack]

Thank`s.