Two PABs for review

[RobertE]

Two PABs came with this grouping from a 3rd Armored Division veteran's family. Both badges are silver PABs removed from uniforms during the Battle of the Bulge, and weren't removed with any care. The first one got the pin pulled so hard it bend the pin into a bow, and the second looks like he actually cut it off with wire cutters.

I'm not bending the pin back straight again, as I feel it reallly tells a story. The son tells me his Dad got these from destroyed German tanks and their crews; he himself served in a tank destroyer outfit.

Anyway - I thought i'd share these badges. here's the group they came in -

s/f Robert

[RobertE]

Badge number 1 -

[RobertE]

Bowed reverse pin -

[RobertE]

He pulled pretty hard to get this one off...

[RobertE]

Badge number 2 -

[RobertE]

Reverse -

[RobertE]

Pin looks cut - crew member was probably not in a condition to remove it himself

[Thomas Durante]

Nice grouping Robert!

I agree 100% with your choice on leaving the pins exactly as they were. Its a grim reminder of how many of the badges we collect were actually acquired and under what horrible circumstances.

Tom

[Chet Sowersby]

Indeed, a fine grouping. I would dearly love to hear the vets story to go with these items.

Chet

[Christopher G.]

I am with Chet...I would love to hear how he got them...but I am sure it could be one of 2 senarios

Regards,
Chris G.

[Dennis GT]

Nice group... any story?

Dennis

[RobertE]

Yes, a good story though not tied to any one piece. Like the small pamphlet "Spearheading" says in the front cover, the Tech Sergeant enlisted in July 1941, and was attached to the 3rd Armored Division in August of 1941. He finsihed the war with them, the booklet has written on the inside cover "Started with Normandy Campaign all through to defeat of Germany", and then unlined "took part in five campaigns".

His drivers permit shows he was a qualified driver on 13 vehicles including half-tracks, light, medium, and heavy tanks.

He picked up all of these items during the Battle of Bulge, and he was in a Sherman. His son relates that he just took the items from the bodies of the dead crewman - there was considerable German armor used in the battle, but supposedly the panzer items were all aquired during the Bulge. He had some tank-on-tank engagements, but didn't elaborate much to his son other than to say they were good tanks and had to be taken from the side.

Bottomline: Nothing was surrendered. The tanks and crews were out of action, and like most folks who saw much combat in WWII, he didn't go much beyond that with his family.

And by the way, Dennis GT, he wore the patch you have shown below your name, at least for part of the war.

The pamphlet is only on loan to me, along with the licence, and I'mm to return them. The German stuff I get to keep, though, which is great.

regards, Robert

[Michael Root]

Now that's what 65 year old PAB's should look like.

[Graeme]

Hi Robert

Great grouping and story.

thanks for showing

cheers
Graeme

[D Funk]

a

Those boards are beautiful!