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I was reading Sid Phillips' informal memoir of his Marine service during WWII (he was a close friend of E.B. Sledge, the author of "With the Old Breed"), entitled "You'll be Sor-ree". Phillips mentions his boot training and being assigned M1903 #345293. Naturally, he doesn't say whether it was a Springfield or a Rock Island. This is all he says:
"...Weapons were issued that first day [of boot camp]...They were the Model 1903 Springfield rifle and mine was no doubt a veteran of WWI and numbered 345293."
I'm wondering if it was a Rock Island, but obviously, no proof either way.
While lacking the polish of E.B. Sledge's excellent work, Phillips' memoir is easy to read and very entertaining. He was fortunate to be sent home in 1944, missing the bloody battles of Peleliu and Okinawa.
"...Weapons were issued that first day [of boot camp]...They were the Model 1903 Springfield rifle and mine was no doubt a veteran of WWI and numbered 345293."
I'm wondering if it was a Rock Island, but obviously, no proof either way.
While lacking the polish of E.B. Sledge's excellent work, Phillips' memoir is easy to read and very entertaining. He was fortunate to be sent home in 1944, missing the bloody battles of Peleliu and Okinawa.
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