Watson Felder

[mas8181]

My grandad's brother, Watson Justus Felder, was KIA near Aachen, Germany in late 1944. My grandfather was also in the ETO at the time as a member of the 288th FAOB (members of the 285th were the victims of the Malmedy massacre). I have a few of Wat's effects; wallet, Army paperwork, the actual telegrams to his parents informing them he was MIA, then following telegrams providing instructions on moving his remains to Arlington. 

 

My 16-yo daughter decided to Google Watson's name as part of her AP US History class and stumbled on the following post from 2021:

 

I sent a message to Ernst, but given his last login was in 2022 I'm not overly hopeful (yet still optimistic). 

 

I would LOVE to add his dog tag(s) to my memorabilia collection, but understand they're in good care either way.

 

 

I'll start posting some of the super-rad things left to me after both my grandfather and his widow have since passed.

 

Scrapbook she put together featuring pictures of the two of them stateside, pictures from Germany, Belgium, etc, insignias, hats and all sorts of money, soaps, matchbooks, etc

 

Pencil drawing prints from one of his battalion-mates (churches, water towers, battle scene, etc)

 

All sorts of ID cards, aircraft ID book, map of Paris (leave), etc

 

Sauer & Sohn 38H (post-war production) bring back

 

 

Hope everyone keeps up the noble work! And here's to hoping Ernst sees my note!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mas8181]

1)  Pencil drawings (prints) on the wall

 

2) Grandad's flag, dog tags, citations, etc (along with a piece of surveying equipment)

 

3) All sorts of cool stuff: letters home, induction form, insignia guide, maps, German aircraft ID handbook, map of Paris

 

4) Watson's effects: note the telegram in the upper left. Other letters home, picture, etc

 

5-8) Next four are random pages from the aforementioned scrapbook. Those four pages represent ~25% of the entire book

 

No pics of the 38H. Also have a USGI M1 Carbine (unrelated to grandad)

[mas8181]

@Ernst Here's some of the memorabilia I have now. Would love to add Watson's dog tags if you're open to it.