A close friend of mine, Harry Kenton, now aged 91, has a great personal story relating to WW2.
HARRY A. KENTON, USMC, BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
Harry A. Kenton was born in 1914 in Chicago and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1934. After undergoing his initial training at Parris Island, he was assigned first to Haiti and then in 1935 to Tiensing, China, as a consular Guard.
Pvt. Harry A. Kenton, USMC -- 1934
The consular personnel were withdrawn due to the advancing Japanese Imperial army and he was transferred to Coascula, Balboa, in Panama.
Sgt. Harry A. Kenton, USMC -- 1939
Following Pearl Harbor now Sgt. Kenton was transfered to E. Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment, 1st. Marine Division and was assigned to Tutuila, Pago Pago (Pango Pango), Samoa in order to help train the Marine invasion force for Guadalcanal.
Sgt. Harry A. Kenton, USMC -- Samoa, 1942
They were shelled by Japanese submarines and had to prepare a defensive perimeter. During the Guadalcanal landing and fight in 1942 Sgt. Kenton contracted Mosquito borne elephantitis and was transferred to a field hospital. He spent much of the remainder of the war recovering in hospital.
At the end of WW2 now G/Sgt Kenton was assigned to Oahu, Hawaii, as a section NCOIC of small arms battlefield recovery and salvage. G/Sgt Kenton went on to serve in the Korean War and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer (Gunner) in 1957.
HARRY A. KENTON'S 1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE:
Private Harry Kenton, new USMC enlistee, was issued (as were all US Marines at that time) a 1903 Springfield rifle, serial number 1207769, on 10 April 1934.
Pvt. Harry A. Kenton, USMC -- original issue slip for 1903 Springfield rifle
SN 1207769, 10 April 1934
After the Guadalcanal operation in 1942 the US Marine Corps switched to the US Rifle, cal 30, M1 (Garand). Sgt Kenton (now in the hospital) had previously turned in his Springfield rifle. One day during his tenure as a section NCOIC of small arms battlefield recovery and salvage in Oahu, Hawaii, following the end of the war, a list of recovered rifle serial numbers -- mostly Garands, but including some 1903 Springfields -- came across his desk. Among them was 1903 Springfield rifle number 1207769 -- the very rifle he had been issued in 1934! He immediately sent a crew out to look for it -- and they found it! There was no record of its history during the war. He applied to the USMC for permission to purchase the rifle and was eventually allowed to for $25 (in 1954).
CWO Harry A. Kenton, USMC -- Receipt for purchase of 1903 Springfield rifle
SN1207769 from the USMC
The battered stock was reconditioned and it was eventually fitted with an inscription plate bearing his name and "Guadalcanal 1942" when he retired.
CWO Harry A. Kenton, USMC -- Inscription plate on 1903 Springfield rifle
SN1207769
CWO Harry A. Kenton, USMC -- Serial number on 1903 Springfield rifle
SN1207769
CWO Harry A. Kenton, USMC -- Retirement - 1957
It is now displayed on the wall of his house with a retrofitted bayonet and sling. I am sure there are not many veterans who own the actual rifle they were issued and carried in battle!
CWO Harry A. Kenton, USMC, Retired, -- Photo of the "Gunner" , aged 91, holding his 1903 Springfield rifle, SN 1207769 -- taken in his backyard by me on 30 March 2005