Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i Military Trader

Potts, one of last Arizona survivors, passes at age 102 PROVO, Utah (AP) — Ken Potts, one of the last two remaining survivors of the USS Arizona battleship, which sank during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, died April 21 at the age of 102. He died at the home in Provo that he shared with his wife of 66 years, according to Randy Stratton, whose late father, Donald Stratton, was Potts’ Arizona shipmate and close friend. Potts was born and raised in Honey Bend, Illinois, and enlisted in the Navy in 1939. He was working as a crane operator shuttling supplies to the Arizona the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, when the Pearl Harbor attack happened, according to a 2021 article by the Utah National Guard. In a…

One of the most significant periods of history in the last 100 years encompassed the world-altering events leading up to, and culminating in the destruction caused during World War II. Conflicts intensified as innocent countries were attacked, and in Europe, a self-serving, power-hungry, man-of-his-time politician led the “Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei” (National Socialist German Workers’ Party - NSDAP – Nazi Party) towards his ultimate goal of world domination. Through ongoing campaigns of highly sophisticated propaganda that established an elitist, homogenous, “country inside of a military camp”, millions of Germans followed this man and the organization he created. They did so by joining a plethora of military, paramilitary, clubs, guilds, work unions and other associations designed to enhance Adolf Hitler’s control over his people. Only through the determination, cooperation and sacrifices of…

One of the favorite rites of passage in the U.S. military of the late 20th and early 21st centuries has always been the “just before graduation from bootcamp” photograph in dress uniform with a flag backdrop. The photos celebrate a special event for the soldiers. Graduation means you will soon be heading out; away from Parris Island, Fort Dix, Lackland AFB, Great Lakes Naval Station, or one of the other basic training sites. Interestingly, the tradition stretches back at least as far as World War I. During the great mobilization in 1917 and 1918 to build an Army of 4 million soldiers, more than 30 very large training camps were built and began the slow process of turning civilians into soldiers. While there were similar facilities for “making” sailors and…

Recently, perhaps because of, and more likely in spite of, the recent All Quiet on the Western Front remake, I decided to put together a German World War I uniform display. Needless to say, I was shocked by the prices. In the end, I opted to take the more “affordable” route and sought out a trench coat, gas mask, belt, ammo pouches, and jack boots. I already had an M18 helmet in my collection. The results were pretty good, and I was pleased. It goes nicely in my small display room. I shared a photo with my cousin, who has an interest in military history but doesn’t collect. He responded, “That would look cool with a skeleton as the mannequin.” A skeleton? He clearly missed my point to create a…

From the time of the Second World War, certain vehicles have emerged as iconic symbols of the conflict in which they were used, such as the Tiger tank and the M4 Sherman. There have been many conflicts in the years after WWII, but it was not until the Vietnam War that another armored vehicle would gain an iconic status and forever after be identified with that conflict. That vehicle was the FMC M113 armored personnel carrier. The M113’s characteristic profile became instantly recognizable through news bulletins on television and photographs in newspapers and magazines. Having been around for more than 50 years, the M113 really requires no introduction and military enthusiasts will know all they need to about it. Examples are today exhibited in museums and large numbers are in…

Polarizing Issue Q: I have a fully restored 1943 Willys MB. It was in my garage for two years while I was deployed. I followed your suggestions about long-term vehicle storage and gave the battery to a friend and bought a new one when I got home. After I installed the new battery and started the engine, the generator won’t charge. I have heard that I might need to polarize the generator. How is this done? —Dennis Wade, USMC A: Welcome home, and thank you for your service! With the new battery installed in your jeep, disconnect the FIELD (FLD) wire from the voltage regulator and momentarily brush it against the BATTERY (BAT) wire terminal just enough to get a small spark. Then reconnect it and start the engine. If…

MILITARY COLLECTOR SHOWS May 18-21 OH, Findlay. The Findlay Show 36th Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration. Hancock County Fairgrounds. Commander: John Cheney II – 419-349-4795 or M2HBcrazy@yahoo.com. Vendor info: Pam Cheney. – 419-349-1601 or pcheney1948@gmail.com Or visit www.findlaymilitaryshow.org May 19-20 WI, Waukesha. Badger Military Collectibles & Military Firearms Show. Waukesha Expo Center. 608-752-6677, Vend 715-381-7991, www.bobandrocco.com May 20 AL, Huntsville. US Veterans Memorial Museum/Dixie Division MVC Annual Armed Forces Day Rally at the Museum, 2060 Airport Rd. SW (aka3650 Alex McAllister Dr.); 0900-1700, info@memorialmuseum.orgm 256-883-3737 May 3 IN, Newburgh. Evansville Military Collectors Club 1st Wednesday Swap & Sale. American Legion - 711 State Street. 812-483-3064 or 270-827-8394 May 6 KS, Overland Park. Military Collectors Show. American Legion Hall #370 - 7500 W. 75th St., 9am-3pm. Jeff Barthol 816-550-8095 or Gary…