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MIA Bayonet

The return of a Bayonet

I was attending our Ohio District 7 American Legion Auxiliary Meeting this month. My President Sandy came over to me , she had been talking with the President of another unit carrying a piece of notebook paper with something written on it.

This piece of paper she handed me saying this guy was a member of this post and they have a bayonet they are trying to return to him or the family.

I looked at the piece of paper with a big smile and a few tears, saying to her "That is my dad"....

Sandy said Your kidding ....I said no that is my dad's name and he was a commander at this post in the 90's.

Sandy jumps up runs across the room and tells the story to the other president....she comes over and I give her my name relationship and she said she would have the present owner of this bayonet call me.

Well over the next few days I forgot about it. Phone rings and this man calls says he has a bayonet with Raymond McGraw etched on it. I told him my dad used an engraver on most everything he felt passionate about. His response was well he sure had great penmanship then. We had a little laugh about that.

I told him this was my father and explained he was in service state side Fort Campbell Ky before I was born...I told him as much as I knew about his service there and he told me it fit the time era...This bayonet was hand etched by my father with his name and 1946. He had researched this knife all the way to the American Legion Post 471 a Commander by this name.

He was an avid military collector, but would like to return this to the man or his family for a family history piece asking if i would accept it.

I told him his son was still living and had all boy heirs that he could pass this down to so he agreed to meet with him.

My brother met with him and historical knowledge of this bayonet and dad's background in the military.

Our family is now Proud to be the holders of this Military piece again.

Americanism, Patriotism show by this man was Wonderful.

I am so thankful this veteran helped to keep our Nation Free.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

My Dad 1st row 2nd from the left

This pic I did for a little since of the size of knives and bayonet's

Had a few more pic's to add to this blog....dad's metals/badges and pic of his ordinance he had tucked away in his metal box...lol

Dad had sharp shooter status

This is that Tie Bar....with the little pearl gun stock ....the type of gun the bayonet would fit on.

Military patch's and awards now all getting in one place for Family history.....

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Comment by Jan Carter on March 29, 2015 at 20:05: Sue that is fantastic!! I cant wait to see the pics

Comment by Sue OldsWidow on March 28, 2015 at 15:45: I visited my brother today....he hands me this tie clasp with a little bit of mother of pearl for the stock and said "Do you know what that is" of course I say a gun......he says NOPE....its the exact model of gun that dad's bayonet would fit on.....gives me goose bumps just typing about it.....pic's to come soon....

Comment by Ron Cooper on March 24, 2015 at 0:52: Sue,

Your comparison shot had me pull my old WWII M1 Bayonet out and shoot a couple of comparison shots, too...

In the one above I included a Buck Special 119 and the ubiquitous Colonial Switchblade. As you can see, the M1 Bayonet easily dwarfs both of these knives. So...

...I called in a known heavyweight ~ The famous Western W49 Bowie. And, as you can see, the M1 Bayonet still holds its own quite nicely pitted against the really huge W49 Bowie knife. And remember, the M1 Bayonet is the shorter version of the M1905 WWI Bayonet that was 6 inches longer, tipping the scales at a whopping 16 inches!

Even with ONLY 10 inch blades, as can be observed in both Sue's excellent photographs and my submissions, the M1 Garand Bayonet was a REALLY BIG knife! I'm so glad that you were able to secure your Pop's bayonet from all those years ago. Truly a great story with a happy ending!

Comment by Ron Cooper on March 23, 2015 at 22:03: P.S. ~ I like the way that Colonial Switchblade found its way into that last pic you posted, too! They just seem to be everywhere these days! lol

Comment by Ron Cooper on March 23, 2015 at 21:59: Great story, Sue! I can relate to the Fort Campbell part, firsthand, since I had been stationed there myself. Almost 20 years later, however. Glad that old bayonet found its way home after all that time.

Comment by Lars Ray on March 23, 2015 at 1:19: Great story sue...thanks for sharing and for getting those pics loaded up too! These are the the kinds of stories that give such pieces a third dimension...not just a weapon issued to a soldier...but the bayonet issued to soldier Raymond McGraw, your father. In a flash, this bayonet went from being a piece that has a history to a piece that is a part of your family history. Now it's personal, real, and comes with a story.

What a gift!

Comment by tim payne on March 22, 2015 at 21:48: interesting story sue

Comment by Jan Carter on March 22, 2015 at 20:54: That story brought tears to my eyes! What a wonderful gesture and gift to the family!

Comment by Ms Data on March 22, 2015 at 20:50: Wow! That is an amazing story Sue. So glad you have that memory of your dad.

In Memoriam Comment by John McCain on March 22, 2015 at 17:40: Sue, I hope this allows you to pass on some more history to your family-- A beautiful story showing that some things are still right in this ol' world !!