Korean War Vet reunited with rifle.

[FeelinFroggy]

DAVISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. - As gifts go, Jim Richardson's choice for his father's 79th birthday was a long shot.

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Virgil Richardson fondly remembered the .30-caliber M1 Garand rifle he carried during his time as a soldier during the Korean War.

He even still had the weapon's serial number.

Using that number, Jim Richardson went online and found the firearm at a Kentucky gun broker.

"I couldn't even talk when he gave it to me," Virgil Richardson told The Flint Journal. "It didn't even have to be the same gun to be important to me."

About 7 million of the sturdy rifles were produced during the Korean War period, making the odds of finding the right one so long that the broker didn't believe the serial number matched, said Jim Richardson, 54, of Saginaw County's Frankenmuth, about 70 miles northwest of Detroit.

"After the war, the soldiers couldn't bring the rifles back with them," Jim Richardson said. "They stayed in Korea (until the 1980s), when they were able to be imported back to the United States."

He won't say exactly how much he spent, but some collectors have paid as much as $3,000. He gave the Garand to his father last week, although the elder Richardson's birthday isn't until next month.

Virgil Richardson served from 1951-53 as an Army radio operator in the 25th Infantry Division. When he speaks of the war, the General Motors Corp. retiree often mentions the rifle's accuracy and dependability, as well as his own marksmanship.

"My sister lives in the country, and it came up that you could shoot a deer right from the deck of her home," Jim Richardson said. "Dad made a comment that he could hit a silhouette target at 500 yards without a scope. Most people can't see that far without a scope."

Virgil Richardson said he'll wait until his Oct. 26 birthday to shoot the weapon.

"What shocked me the most is how very heavy it is," he said. "I have trouble now holding it up and aiming it. I guess they were made for 20- and 21-year-olds."

Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080921/...fle_recovery_2



This is an amazing story.

[Smiles]

That's awesome! Not many would go through such research to find the exact same weapon and then fork over that kinda money too...must be one special Daddy! How many folks can remember the serial number of their gun? I've got so many numbers that run through my head daily and I have to admit that's not a number I would think about remembering by heart.

Smiles

[SlightlyCatholic]

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must
shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I
WILL...
My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our
burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. WE WILL HIT...
My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its
weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it
against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and
my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will become part of each
other. WE WILL...
Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the
masters of our enemy. WE ARE THE SAVIORS OF MY LIFE.
So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!

[pingjocky]

"This is my rifle, this is my gun!
This one's for fighting, this one's...." [/singing]

Sorry, couldn't resist....

R/
Pingjocky

[SlightlyCatholic]

Ahh yes...Private Pyle and friends! Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

[PaulR]

I love stories like this, Tim!! Keep them coming!

[SlightlyCatholic]

Originally Posted by PaulR

I love stories like this, Tim!! Keep them coming!

Our resident SEAL, FeelinFroggy, was the one who actually posted this one. Thanks anyway!