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Posted by Ralph Wood on May 10, 2022, 6:32:34, in reply to "I know what you mean, Ralph"
My folks married in 1946, and my mom kept track of him from then on. I think "we're safe." 
You should contact my uncle (whom you met on the visit.) He has gotten very, very deep into genealogy, and has got his side of the family (my mom's side) back to France in the 1300s. I was happy enough finding out who-all my relatives were in the 1800s. But then the list just keeps going on and on...and on. I feel vaguely like an Old Testament biblical character... 
Build that tank! 
Previous Message
My father was in Europe during WWII, and all I know is that he was in tanks and he got a Bronze Star. Assuming that we're not talking about the same guy**, my back-of-the-mind project for someday is to build a Sherman tank in his memory.
**It's not really out of the question, I suppose, as now that I am studying up on genealogy, I find that he had at least a couple of other wives beside my mother, and I haven't come close to filling in the blanks yet. So far I know about wives in NJ, WA, OR and NY, beginning in 1950, so perhaps he could have visited your neck of the woods too...
:-)
Rick
(OT indeed) Previous Message
My father served "in armor" in WWII as a radioman. He told me that he had ridden in tanks, but when his unit got to combat, he was in the command halftrack, and that was the vehicle he got his Bronze Star in. He died back when I was 18, but I am "inclined to keep a halftrack" around, somewhere. (I generally avoid armor...not a favorite subject at all.)
As a child of 3 or 4, I clearly recall being given an old Auburn rubber halftrack toy. Later, as a teenager, I picked up a Hotwheels halftrack, which survived multiple moves, ending up in my current place. Some years back, I got an old 1:76 Airfix halftrack, disposed of the Hotwheels number, and proudly built it. There! I finally had a "real" half track.
Except... I then began research. The old Airfix model is a mish-mash of M3 and M5 features, and as the British mainly used them as cargo haulers, not troop carriers, it lacks seating in the rear.
Sigh...
Still, I have grown to love the thing. It is venerable and "nostalgic"...a "toy from my youth" by its era...while still remaining a fitting emblem of my father's service. I call it Chitty-chitty Bang Bang because it has the huge front fenders of an M5 halftrack...almost looks like it could fly.
OT, but you asked...
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