An anonymous Sargent of the 82nd Airborne eating somewhere in Sicily

Chow time

American soldiers landing at Utah Beach - Normandy, France June 6, 1944

On French soil

A number of WWI era brass knuckled trench knives were kept in storage by the US Army and re-issued during WW2. The example shown is marked "Au Lion" on the blade, and was made in 1918 by a French company on a US government contract. It was issued to Joe Pistone of F/502. The photo above shows Frank Anness, the supply sgt of D/506th at the Port of Embarkation in mid 1943. In his belt is one of the WW1 knuckle knives, which Frank says were issued to D/506th just before boarding the SS Samaria. But Frank says the knives were confiscated within a day or two, because too many of the high spirited paratroopers were trying them out by 'dueling' with each other, resulting in an alarming number of injuries. 
