If anyone has better luck at finding info on Vets and had the inclining to help, please let me know. It would be fantastic. The only thing I was able to find is a family friend that knew the owner since she was a child. Thought of him like a surrogate Uncle, she has his berets, uniforms photos etc. I was advised she would send me copies of the photos but that has been since 2022 and nothing yet. I am still hopeful. Would love the uniform and berets but don't want to push my luck. though one of the Obits I have one copy of him state side in uniform and beret 5th SF.   Thanks in Advance,   Mark

. Hi Peter,   apparently it was taken sometime around the end of the war, and more recently entered into an auction in Caen and the council at Ste Mere became aware of it and demanding it's return as stolen property belonging to the town.           Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 03   2O25.    ….

The story on how I got lucky and the fact that I almost missed out on it is slightly interesting. During the Estate Online Auction, I noticed one of the lots was a distant photo of an antique draw knife and next to it was what appeared to be a leather handled knife. The Auction House description was " antique draw knife leather handle 7in blade". not really a good description but that 7in part helped out a lot!  The photo was so distant and really not that clear it was extremely hard to make out what kind of knife it was. I could tell that the knives were laying on the concrete floor of a basement, Yicks ! As soon as I saw the picture the shape and silhouette of the knife was very distinct. I knew I had seen it before, online or in one of my books.    I quickly started looking through my books and found that I had seen a knife very similar to the one in the picture sitting on the floor of a cold damp basement! It looked very-very close to a 7-inch SOG knife, there was no sheath in the photo, so I figured there was not one with it. In the auction I found another Vietnamese made knife with sheath and a San Antonio Iron works knife and sheath that had the owners name craved in the handle. With very little proof of my theory, I was still extremely stoked that I had possibly found one of my biggest Holy Grails!!!      I did not ask for further photos and went on my first hunch, hoping like heck no one else noticed the knife. I used the owner obituary putting him in Vietnam in the early 60's as one of the main clues, did not find out he was with 5th SF until later.    Well, the auction ended, and I was extremely happy that I had won both the Vietnamese made knife, " possible Montagnard".  Also, the draw knife and leather handle 7in blade...their description.     So, the gamble I took with no further info or pictures was not cheap.... but for what I think it is it was the steal of a lifetime! I had to throw a monkey wrench into the works and asked the auction house not to mail me the draw knife so I did not have to pay extra shipping due to length and added weight. They said okay!      Now the wait..... I am sure at least one person that reads this mini novel I have typed out, has had the same experience of excitement, worries, nervousness. The mailing of what could be precious cargo, the package, will it be lost, stolen, misplace etc!!!!      Mail, I have found really comes quicker than it feels but on this one I swear it was eternity!! Days later it arrives, I was so stoked I may have been shaking, LOL! I open the package, first the Vietnamese made knife hits my hand. I unwrap it to find a very nice in country made knife with wooden sheath and a belt loop made from what looks like innertube rubber.    I dig deeper in bow and to my surprise they sent the draw knife. I keep rummaging thru the packing peanuts and my heart stopped!! NO Leather Handled 7in Blade, WT. !       So now I am sweating bullets, what's going on...what happened to my possible SOG 7in recon. Did someone at the auction house realize what it was and decided to keep it. Oh no way dude this cannot be happening. Did someone online tell them what it was, and they offered them closer monies of its true value!!! Man, my head was spinning but I got on the phone and calmly call the auction house.     The woman on the phone said that no one had mentioned an extra knife laying around. I was advised they would get back with me. Great another wait, nervousness, worry, fearfulness! It is gone I knew it, the proverbial needle that I found in the haystack was no longer going to be mine. Close but no cigar!!! Oh well stuff happens!        I did not hear from the auction house for a day maybe two. They advise it was found and already in the mail. Man, what a relief, apologies accepted, and I let her go with a huge" THANK YOU"!  Now more waiting, this time with less nervousness just excitement. After all this I figure it has to be the real deal    Days go by... finally the box arrives. I open it and to my surprise the knife did have a sheath, no way I couldn't believe it. No photos of it and not in the lot description, Man this was way more than I could have dreamt of!!!    After examining the knife and sheath comparing with books and online info, I am pretty sure that my gamble paid off. I wanted to put this out here to maybe get a chuckle out of someone and feed back to reassure myself that I am correct that this is a SOG 7in recon that I got for a song.     Hope everyone has a great night,   Mark      

Yup, that’s kinda the whole point of this place and I can tell you from experience, it helps… if one of these went up for sale (a legit one) it would go for BIG money. Anyways, hope you can find some more items, happy hunting!

I haven't checked the number, but this is a perfect WW2 Purple Heart. It's not in the best shape, but it's exactly what you'd want in a wartime production medal. 

. mikie,   that's no way to speak about Johan he's a long-standing valued member of the forum.  😂   Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 03   2O25.    ….

Nice knife nice sheath nice stone.   Thanks for sharing.  

I'll just have to keep digging for rosters so I can get a full name and try to research his service dates.  Short of that everything is just speculation.  For me though, the helmet is a keeper.

looks like a WW2 issue PH. what are your thoughts, can the number (232007) be traced to the recipient? thank you    

It’s always great to see old war relics here 😁.  Have a great time!    mikie