World War II Photos

from the collection of

John K. Ruppert

There are a few exceptions. One story, which was occassionally told by my mother relates to a bullet that likely would have been fatal except for one fact. Much to my surprise, I heard my father recount this story in the early 1970s at a church meeting. 

The story, a very short one, goes something like this. Before leaving the US for Europe, Dad was given a New Testament version of 
the Bible. He kept it in his shirt or jacket pocket. During a battle, he was struck in the chest, the bullet lodging in the Bible leaving him unharmed.

For years, my Mom kept this Bible among her papers in a desk drawer. When Dad died, she wanted to place it in his coffin but we could not find it. 

Another legend that I uncovered only while preparing this collection of photos and mementos concerns three young soldiers, Fred Lineberry, George Sponable and John Ruppert. Dad and his buddies were searching an abandonned civilian residence after securing a mountanside village. In this residence they found a camera and a handkerchief.

They used the camera to take pictures of the scene. 
Dad sent the handkerchief home. A photograph taken of 
Dad on that day holding the handkerchief, says 
"I'll never forget this day, Fred Lineberry and George Sponable "
Dad also makes reference to this story in a letter back home.

Unfortunately, although Mr. Lineberry remembers the camera, he does not recall any events of the day in question. Mr. Sponable is deceased.

Exactly what took place and what the importance of it was
to the young American soldiers is now lost.