Sergeant York

Last night, on Turner Classic Movies, I watch the 1941 movie Sergeant York starring Gary Cooper. Sergeant Alvin C. York was a hero of World War I and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

He was awarded the MOH for his actions on October 8, 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (also known as the Battle of the Argonne Forest. Sgt. York killed several German soldiers and, along with seven of his fellow infantrymen, took 132 German prisoners.

My grandfather, Edward Kostal, was in the same battle, but was wounded before Sgt. York’s heroics, on September 30, 1918.

Grandpa’s sidearm

My grandfather, Edward Kostal, was a doughboy in World War I and was wounded in France a few weeks before the Armistice was signed. He was a machine-gunner, but I’m certain he carried a Colt 1911 as his personal sidearm.

Because he was wounded and carried from the Argonne Forest battlefield, his sidearm was lost to him … and to his family.

For sentimental purposes, I wish we had his pistol, but we do not.

Turnbull Manufacturing Company has been manufacturing handguns and is famous for restoring antique firearms. Here’s an example of what a restored 1911 Colt looks like from approximately the same manufacturing year.

If I had my grandfather’s pistol, I would take it to Turnbull for restoration and would never, never, never sell it!!