Dad gave me my grandfather's medals from WW2.

[DaddyShark]

I never served but it looks like a bronze star, purple heart, and silver star. He died when I was about 10 years old. But all I know is that after Pearl Harbor happened, he specifically enlisted and requested to fight the japanese. And they gave him his wish.

[rsdsharp]

1. Yes, that's what there are, although you are showing the obverse sides of the silver and bronze stars,

I assume to show your grandfather’s name. It’s a very impressive display. I’m sure you’re justly proud of your grandfather’s service.

[DaddyShark]

2. oh man I just flipped them over and realized you are right lol.

Yes and unfortunately these are reproduction medals and not the original.. My dad isn't in the greatest health and he requested for them since the originals got lost by his brother. He was the only person who could still do that. And im glad to have them. Just from googling, silver star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the united states.

[Arger68]

3. A silver star is a pretty

big deal. I think the third highest award behind a medal of honor and a distinguished service cross. Your grandpa definitely did something important in the war!

[DaddyShark]

5. what my grandma said was

She said he used to climb the bamboo trees and cut the throats of japanese snipers. I rolled my eyes at that because I don't think that's really true. But it very could be. Because they don't give out silver stars to everyone like candy.

[Emile]

4. Wow, cherish those medals.

[DaddyShark]

6. I'm on good terms with my mother now.

But she didn't even let me attend his funeral where they had a 21 gun salute for him for his service. Everyone who was there said it was awesome.. I wasn't allowed to go because he was a hilbilly from west virginia. And he might have been republican, but it's still hard for me to forgive my mother about that.

[Aristus]

7. So many casualties were expected in the invasion of the Japanese home islands

that the U.S. government struck over one million Purple Heart Medals to award to the dead and wounded.

The invasion ended up not taking place, and every Purple Heart medal awarded since has been from that batch of one million from 1945.

[malthaussen]

8. Unfortunately, Military Times doesn't have a copy of the citation.

FYI, Military Times is a site where one can look up recipients of various awards to find the actual citation that goes along with the award. Apparently, they couldn't find the citation, beyond noting that he was "reported to have been awarded" the Silver Star while serving with the 38th division in the Philippines. It would have been cool if the citation had survived.

-- Mal