A tribute to the M1 Garand and the men who carried it in World War II

Dear Sir:

I applaud you for your website. Most people, both young and many old, have no conception of the sacrifices made 60 years ago. It's too easy to forget and overlook today. Thus the reason I am writing. I thought that you, more so than most, would appreciate what I am about to share with you.

As the years go on I see fewer and fewer references to the North African campaign, the first "D-Days", the Italian campaign and to the young men who fought and died there. Today, it is widely believed and accepted by the average Joe that the European "war" began for US troops on June 6, 1944, when it began much earlier. For my Dad the war began almost a year earlier in July 1943.

The untried, untested men who landed on Sicily, who, then as veterans, landed on the beaches of Salerno, who fought for their lives at the "Factory" on Anzio through attack after attack by German forces trying to hurl them back to the sea, who then landed in the south of France after all of the above, will tell you (the few of them left) that there was quite a war going on a long time before "D-Day."

My Dad took part in four combat amphibious landings and had 4 D-Days, three of which took place before June 6, 1944. He had 4 arrowheads on his ribbons and was credited with 8 different campaigns. As an infantry scout with the Intelligence & Recon team (I&R), HQ Co, 179th Regimental Combat Team, 45th Infantry Division, he was wounded five times, watched as his best friend blown up by a German mine, contracted malaria which never left him, was held prisoner by SS combat troops for a few days and earned some medals. He was prouder of his Combat Infantryman's Badge than anything else.

He was in the thick of war from July 1943 through early April 1945 when he finally sustained the wounds that took him out of the war just outside Nuremberg, Germany. His unit (and I believe the 36th Infantry) held the dubious distinction of having more front line combat days without adequate rotation, than any other US fighting troops of W.W.II. After the war, the Army conducted psychological studies on how this could affect a young man and decided it wouldn't be allowed to ever happen again.

As a western Pennsylvania farm boy, guns and shooting well were second nature to my Dad and he continued a long family history of service to his country under fire. He had had ancestors in the Pennsylvania militia during the War for Independence and his great grandfather took part in many Civil War battles including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg before his capture at the Wilderness and subsequent internment at Andersonville until the end of that conflict.

Dad was an expert shot. He was so good that in 1942-43, while in training at the various military facilities that the 45th was moved around to (the 45th, may have been the "best trained" unit of the war, being one of the first) dad's prowess with a rifle were noted by the brass. He was subsequently offered extra ammunition to practice on Saturdays and he would walk the miles to the range. Soon, he was provided rides and later was given his own Jeep for his Saturday trips. The reason for this special treatment was that the brass made wagers pitting the skills of one unit's best shot against another's.

He trained with the 1903 Springfield and carried this rifle into combat in Italy. Somewhere along the line, a scoped '03 replaced his standard issue and because of his skill, Dad became a "sniper" for his scout unit. I don't know if his scoped rifle was actually a 1903A4, or if a civilian scope was mounted on a standard '03 rifle. He said it was deadly accurate. As the war progressed, he told me that he learned it was prudent to go with more firepower and he traded in his '03 for a BAR which he carried to the conclusion of "his" war. Others in his unit, especially replacements as the war progressed, were issued the mighty M1 Garrand.

Dad never told me much about the war until ten years ago when as he reached his 70s, he began to open up and share some things with me. I'm sure he did it only to hand down his history for my benefit. He didn't do it for himself. Mom says that for years after they met and married soon after the war was over, it was not uncommon for Dad to have violent nightmares in which he would sometimes assume the role of the combat infantryman he had been. She said that once early in their marriage, she woke up with one hand around her neck and the other up in the air ready to strike, as Dad was still locked in the memory of something that happened 7-8 years earlier.

Before I was aware of his early nightmares, I once told my Mom to have Dad watch a documentary heavy with Salerno and Anzio combat footage. He had to leave the room and had nightmares for a period afterward. I think it was the unceasing incoming artillery rounds from the German 88s during some of those battles which scared him the most. He couldn't hide from an incoming shell and running away impossible and unthinkable. (When the movie "The Execution of Private Slovik" aired on TV 20-30 years ago, Dad thought that the guy had it coming. He also mentioned in passing once that Patton had every right to slap that yellow SOB in the field hospital in Italy.) Amazingly, he must have had rock-solid emotional control because he hid his fears from me for 40 years. He opened up a little just a couple of years ago when he told me: (to paraphrase) "Anyone who says they were in combat with hundreds of artillery rounds dropping in on them day after day and claims they never crapped themselves is a liar"

Dad died in November 2001, just weeks before I was going to start videotaping his life's recollections, so I waited too long and have none of his history on tape. I did visit the 45th Infantry Division museum in 1994 and bought him a copy of the 179th RCT history, written by the unit historian during the war (when facts were facts) and published in 1946. To please me Dad read it and made handwritten firsthand observations on his personal involvement on various pages. He told me that the regimental history was right-on accurate and not the revisionist history you read too often today. Having passed on his written comments to me, he returned the unit history to me with a short letter saying that it had been rough reliving it and that he doubted he ever look at it again.

Well, that's about it. There was quite a war going on prior to June 6, 1944. At least that was Dad's opinion. I realize that you know that but so many people don't. The boys who fought before what is now referred to simply as "D-Day", sacrificed their lives and their youth in occupying the Axis' western front concerns while this country prepared for the invasion of northern Europe. I hope that we as a country never forget the brave young fellows who's D-Days occurred before, on and after June 6, 1944.

Thanks for your hard work in composing and providing your website to all of us. Lest we forget history and are condemned to repeat it. "In omnia paratus." "In all things prepared", motto of the 179th Regimental Combat Team (179th Infantry Regiment), 45th Infantry Division.

Sincerely,

Dale
Munroe Falls, OH

Mr. Foster,
With the recent passing of my Uncle who served in W.W.II European Theater I was given his M1 Garand by my aunt. Seems he was a supply sergeant and loved his M1 Garand. I have several documents on this weapon that he had saved and one mentions a M1 Garand for "tankers." I cannot find anything on this and wondered if you knew about it as in was it for real and what was it if so. Thanks.

Rodney
Alvin, TX

Im looking to buy n M1 garand. What should I look for?

Thanks
Nick

Dear Sir:
I was wondering if you could help me!
My father is a WWII veteran and has a M-1 rifle he obtained some time ago!
He is looking to find some history on it!
Do you know of where I can look for such?
I appreaciate any help you can offer in this matter!
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Anthony

I recently acquired a nice Garand, after wanting one for many years. It is in great condition, and a near 100% rifle. The man I bought it from is an older guy, he owned it for 20-30 years. He was not a collector or very knowledgeable (nor am I) on the finer points of identification. If you have time, I would like to ask you a few questions about it......

1) Where is the barrel date located? I can see many numbers on the side of the barrel when the action is open, but do not know what I am looking at.

2) The gun appears to be all original, how ever there are no cartouches visible on an excellent walnut stock. Why might there be no cartouches?

3) Everything on the gun has SA in one place or another, however; the bolt has SA 19 after the ID#...this cannot be the correct bolt for a rifle manufactured in 12/44 can it?

4) Any locations of other numbers would be greatly appreciated as I have not been able to find some numbers. Does one have to disassemble any portion of the rifle to locate certain numbers? If so, what and where?

I realize this seems to be a lot to ask. I have spent hours looking on the internet for answers, and have found some info, but not a lot on these issues. I am very proud of my rifle, and with the condition it is in, I am wondering if it will hurt any value it might have to shoot it very much. The owner states it has only been fired 100 rounds. He states it was in cosmoline when he got it, and was unfired as far as he knew. I know this man, and he isn't lying or mis-stating the truth a he knows it. But it is possible he didn't get what he thought he was getting when he purchased it many years ago.

Thank you for your time. I am a retired State Trooper, and was a sniper for the State Police here for many years. I can't help but feel a connection to others who love these great old guns.

Joe

I am enjoying going through your M1 Garand page. I participated in an M1-only rifle match last year (I borrowed one), and am now eligible to buy one through the Civilian Marksmanship Program. I think I will. I completely agree with the sentiment of your opening page. I'm 50 years old, and my father was a WWII vet. So when you talk of your grandfather's generation, it was my father's generation. When I was a teenager, the WWII vets were just moving into their '40s. So, I had a great opportunity to know "The Greatest Generation." Many adult WWII vets had a positive influence on my life. I even met some WWI ones!

Thanks for your interest in this period. I'm proud that people out that are younger than I, still remember. Thanks for taking the time to do your great Web page!

Regards,

Mike
Forest, VA

hello there, hope you dont mind the email, but i came across your website when i was looking where to purchase an M1 garand. if you can help, please let me know....thanks for your time.

Ed

hello! I recently purchased an M1 -garand. The dealer Grubbs Guns in vincennes IN, sold it to me for only 400.00 dollars! WOW a Springfield M1 -garand for 400.00 dollars!! Get this! I was layed off from the coal mines which payed me 16 an hour. My salary dropped to 6 an hour. Grubbs knew how things can go sour, and then sold the rifle to me on a Payment plan! PAYMENT PLAN! I thanked him up and down paying off the rifle in just over a month. I have only put 16 rounds through it, The barrell needs cleaned badly. I tried hopps and elbow grease, but that didnt work, I need lewis lead remover or somthing like that. I wont shoot it untill I can clean up that barrel. I dont want to ruin the barrel. I was told that the 30-06 cart has 6 to 8 times more powder in it compared to the 8mm round. The only problem I can see with the clipps is the fireteam movement. To keep supresion high while an envelopment can occur could be difficult unless two riflemen use the talking gun method. anyway I love my garand and I love this web-sight!!!!!

Hello, I found your web site through a search on Yahoo. Like yourself I'm facinated with WWII history. Say a person wanted to obtain a M1 Garand, how hard is it to find one, and if one is found, what is the going price?

Thanks,
Jeremy

Hello Sir,

I am a 16 year old who is currently getting involved in the re-enactment of the Second World War. My parents are helping me financially and I have about half of my equipment gathered (centering around my uniform and helmet), but I eventually need to have them purchase an M-1 Garand. I have been looking around and the cheapest I have found one of these rifles (even repro's) for us 350 dollars for one in fairly bad condition. I was wondering if you possibly knew where I could have my parents purchase me one to fulfill the needs on my upcoming hobby for a price less than this? I hope there is somewhere or someway to get a Garand for a lower price. Please respond ASAP.
Thank you very much Sir,

Charles

I saw the photo on your web page and noticed the cut-down 10" bayonet on the M1 garand.

I have an early 16" (1942 flaming cannonball, not sure of the foundry letters since the bayonet is at home, maybe "UFH") long bayonet that I got from my neighbor a few years ago and was wondering if it may be worth anything. Any ideas ??

Please let me know.

Jim

Read more thoughts on the M1 Garand from visitors: Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |

I would really appreciate your thoughts, comments and questions regarding the M1 Garand, your heroes, World War II, the Korean War, or anything else this page encompasses. Also...if you can help any of our fellow enthusiasts with their questions it would be greatly appreciated.

Please email comments to S.Foster@us.army.mil

Thank you.

Sergeant Foster