Other than your weapon, what was your most prized possession?

[Greg]

I used to keep a P38 on my keychain, until I was going through airport security and TSA took it. They said it was a dangerous item. But women were taking knitting needles right through without a problem. Fortunately I still have a number of them new in the wrapper from my time in the Army (74 - 86).

[Michael Tompkins]

I still have my P38 on my keychain as well. I pulled it out of the first case of C-rats I got into back in '78. C-rats were dated 1967. Funny, the whole time I was in, I never ate any C-rats newer than '67. I also keep my dogtags on my keychain. I know it's not a smart thing to do, but they've been on there for over 30 years. Mike

[Nick Riviezzo]

Greg, how do you employ a P38 can opener in a "danger mode" ? The only thing I can think of would require a terrorist to drop his drawers and cooperate. Somehow,I don't see that happening.I bet some jerk just wanted a P38 and yours was handy.Homeland Security has some real gems working for it, starting right at the top! Nick

[Michael Tompkins]

Greg, how do you employ a P38 can opener in a "danger mode" ? The only thing I can think of would require a terrorist to drop his drawers and cooperate. Somehow,I don't see that happening.I bet some jerk just wanted a P38 and yours was handy.Homeland Security has some real gems working for it, starting right at the top! Nick

They can be dangerous! Mine is very worn and opens easily...especially while in my front pants pocket. I used to get stabbed in the leg a lot. Now I just carry them in my hand. I couldn't stand the thought of getting a new one or taking it off the key chain. Mike

[Nick Riviezzo]

Michael, crimp the hinge tabs with needlenose pliers. Gently,it doesn't take much. Nick

[Varmintpopper]

Bow and Arrow and a Spinning Real type fishing pole, When it came time to string commo wire across a creek or hang an antenna in a tree we would tie the fishing line to an Arrow and shoot it across the creek and then pull the wire across and we also shot the line over a high limb on a tree
to hang an antenna.

Lindy

[Hal O'Peridol]

While in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, I carried a small US Flag in my upper left pocket the whole time I was in Saudi, Kuwait, and Iraq. I still have the flag with my "chocolate-chip" uniform.

If you look in the upper left of the picture, you can see the small US flag flying on my M577 track. All through Desert Shield/Storm. Still have it also.

[navdocret]

Buck 110, most versatile knife ever, especially if you were a "boats"

[comm pogue]

Me, i'll 2nd the TL 29s. i still have mine..............Semper Fi

[joem]

I do have my issued M16 cleaning kit, bayonet and bi pod and canteen. Somehow it fell into my AWOL bag.

[blackhawknj]

1. My Swiss Army Knife-yes, the multitool of its era. The can opener saw the most use.
2. My old GI Parka with the old heavy fake sheepskin liner. Wore mine as my winter overcoat for 20 years after I left AD.
3. A small clip one flashlight. Got a lot of mileage out of it.

[Art]

The weapons I was issued in the Army weren't exactly my "possessions," but the M14s I carried were obviously important to me though I can't say I was really attached to them.

I suppose if there were any things I was issued I was really attached to they were my M43 Field Jacket, I was issued one of the last of the line. Unfortunately I got battery acid on it and it wasn't pretty after that. The other was my pair of electrical safety shoes. These cork midsole safety shoes with a fiberglass reinforced toe were a prized item that was only issued to certain electronics technicians. I actually still have mine over 40 years later, and use them sometimes. Not only were they great footwear but it was against regulations to "spit shine" them and because of them I never had to blouse my trousers when on duty except for the occassional inspection .

[phil441]

Maybe the most missed.....
The parka I was issued when I got to Goose Bay Labrador in early 1962. That was the warmest coat I've ever had. Unfortunately I had to surrender the well worn remains of it when I shipped back to the States in mid '63.
The wife has bought other coats for me in places like Burlington Coat Factory but they have never been as toasty. The civilian reproductions just don't measure up. No telling what a parka like that would cost nowadays. More than I could afford, I'm sure.....

[Former Cav]

In the armored cav, we had to SHAVE. I had a mirror made out of stainless steel (or it was chromed steel) and it was the size of any army I.D.
Everyone on my tank used it to shave with. When I came home on convalescent leave after having been in the hospital for 6 months, I gave it to my life long friend Pat who was on his way to Vietnam and he used it for a long time till it got lost somewhere.
My next most prized possession was my ZIPPO lighter.

[wgnovak]

Toss up between a 5 1/2" sheath knife or my Colt Python.