Photographs

Who will remember me, when I’m gone?

thingsweleavebehindhistoryblog 2 Comments

On November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson dedicated Armistice Day, which would later evolve into the modern National holiday Veteran’s Day with these words.  “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”  But across the nation, families were mourning their lost loved ones.

IMG_7144

When I first found this shadow box in an antiques store in Lewisville, Texas; my thought was “Who will remember Wagoner Edgar Sparks, a century after he gave his life for his country?”  As I began to research Edgar’s life, I realized the story was much more nuanced than that initial thought.

Continue reading →

A Tiger Among Lions, Colonel Gerald R. Tyler

thingsweleavebehindhistoryblog Leave a comment

The photo is an old Associated Press photo with the caption typed on a piece of paper glued and taped to the back which reads:

“COL. GERALD R. TYLER, COMMANDANT OF THE SECRET ATOMIC BOMB PROJECT AT LOS ALAMOS, N.M., IS SHOWN AT HIS DESK AT THE OFFICES LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN 30 MILES NORTWEST OF SANTA FE.”

But, what isn’t told is the link this photo has to an ROTC legend at my alma mater…..

Gerald_Tyler

Continue reading →

The Medal of Honor Presented on January 19, 1967…..

thingsweleavebehindhistoryblog Leave a comment

I have recently began collection militaria connected to the Medal of Honor.  I currently have signatures from three recipients in my collection, and my first program from a Medal of Honor ceremony.

The Medal of Honor holds a special place in U.S. military lore, and for good reason.  It is the second oldest U.S. military decoration* and was established when President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Navy’s Medal of Honor.  Today, there are three distinct designs for the Medal of Honor.  It remains the nation’s highest award for military valor.  These artifacts (pictured below) speak directly to the history of the most recent design, the Medal of Honor awarded by the U.S. Air Force.

B_F_Fisher

Continue reading →

The girl in the uniform….

thingsweleavebehindhistoryblog Leave a comment

German_Girl

Her name is lost to time, but I find this photo captivating.  It was used on a German post card in World War I, but why was she in the uniform?  Was it her boyfriend’s, her brother’s, or her husband’s?

The visor on the hat and the saber indicates this is likely an officer’s uniform.  The soldier was a valiant man, the ribbon in the second button hole indicates award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class for combat.  The non-combat version of that award would have had two black stripes on a white ribbon.  Below her left breast is the Iron Cross 1st Class.