Wednesday, February 21, 2018

The Dog Tag




Dog Tags are issued to soldiers as a form of identification. 
When my maternal grandfather, Gilbert Ernest Roberts (1920-19144) entered the Marines in 1943, he received his set. 
If the soldier is killed in action, one tag stays with the body and the other with the Company Officer.  




Gilbert Ernest Roberts
1944
Before shipping off to the South Pacific


The dog tag in the image below was returned to Gilbert's wife Azile after his death on the island of Peleliu in September of 1944, just a few months after shipping out.


Gilbert Ernest Roberts
Dog Tag
WWII

Photos, stories, letters, and the telegraph informing the family of his death have been passed down to his descendants. 
The Dog Tag makes it more real. 
Something tangible to hold. 
An heirloom that once hung around his neck.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice, 



This post was written for week 8 -"Heirloom" from Amy Johnson Crow's series 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.



Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,






2 comments:

  1. A precious heirloom for your family. It is wonderful that his story has been passed on to the newer generations. We are all better for his service to our country.

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    1. Thank you, Colleen. Everything I have of his is so precious to me.

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