Chris Liontas

I know of an AF guy who received a purple heart for a TEMPORARY partial hearing loss at Khobar towers. I was USAF, too, btw....

What stinks about that is I had a SSGT that had permanent hearing loss and situational vertigo from Khobar and could get nothing for it. Disability, PH, hardy hand shake....nothing

Hey all! I just got my copy (been meaning to get it for several months) and wanted to give some thoughts. It is a wonderful book. If you are interested in WWI at all, you need to get this book. I have not put it down since Christmas. Joe has done a great job fleshing out many of the theories we have all talked about concerning the beginning of WWI. I found the historical explanation of the German "states" and the amalgamation of "Germany" extremely interesting. It is hard to remember, that "Germany" of 1914 hadn't existed for very long; and Joe does a great job in explaining how hard it was to lead an army that was in the process of amalgamating.

A wonderful effort, and a wonderful accomplishment!!

Sorry my smart phone cut me off!! The book goes into the contemplation of a medal to the actual awarding of the iron cross during the Wars of Liberation. The historical depth of the information from the Napoleonic wars is amazing. If you enjoy military history this is definitely the book for you. I would give the book 10 out of five stars if I could.

I agree. I just got the book. If u want technicalities of a medal only, the iron time is great.

Wernitz's book is a history with the technical aspects. That being said in the book is absolutely amazing!! I just received my copy this Christmas and I haven't been able to put it down. One book is just specifically on the technical aspects of the iron Cross. The other book is a history of the iron cross from the contemplation of a metal actual

Welcome!! I can't wait to read the forum!

Lol!! "The other guy". Haha.

Neat! I'd never heard about a song specifically for the Argonne. Going to have to download that one.

Any idea where he graduated from? If he was Harvard or MIT there might be some info on him from their publications

I would love to say this surprises me. The air farce is once service bound and determined to make sure everyone feels like they belong.

Soon I'll be able to apply for disability and a Purple Heart for the sun burn I got in Kuwait.

I loved it! Brought home the meaning of Christmas, and it is for charity. I've already shown this ad to my staff at work, and my family. None of them knew what the Christmas truce of 1914 was, so I explained it to them. Now they know what happened over 100 years ago, and the memory of the incident at least lives on for a while in some people's minds. To me, that is a wonderful thing, and well worth the effort of the commercial.

Now you definitely need the lock on the door! I can imagine how good cool-aid would taste out of something like that to a little person!

The condition is amazing!!! Very nice find Chris!

GRATS!!!

What am I looking at? Anything you get is usually pretty amazing, I'm just confused. It isn't a regimental stein.....a reunion one?

Nice!!!

Can we see a close up of the collar insignia?? They look larger than normal to me

a huge thanks again to Laurent. Lt Lafargue's entire collection came up for auction in France and I missed it by about a month. I didn't think I would ever get another chance, but I was able to get the insignia. I believe there is a trunk and other items that have been scattered. Now the long task of getting them all back together begins.

A last photo of Jean in his SPAD

Full shot sent to me from France before I got the fabric.

Better shots

A original port side insignia from SPA 152, even better---this is the personal insignia from the plane of LT Jean Lafargue, SPA 152 "Escadrille des Crocodiles". Lt Lafargue was assigned to 112 N, September 2 1916. He is then transferred to N84 12 April 1917 to help form a new squadron, N 152. I believe LT Lafargue was credited with one German aircraft in 1916, but his greatest accomplishment was the assisted downing of the German Zeppelin L49. L49 was returning from bombing England when she was set upon by several French fighters. Lt Lafargue, along with several other pilots forced L49 to land in French territory, and was captured completely intact. Lt Lafargue ended with war with N 162 as far as I understand.

This was honestly the box I have been waiting for, and was really nervous that it was damaged in any way. Happily there was not damage to the box, and everything was sealed up tight (thank you again Laurent!). I've loved WWI aviation for years, but always thought it was outside my grasp as a collector; especially since my interested is in WWI Aero Squadron fabric insignia from aircraft fuselages. Thanks to some friends and just plain luck, I've been able to get a nice collection of aviation fabric. I used to dream of owning one piece of fuselage fabric with an Aero Squadron insignia, now I have been lucky enough to have several. I had to sell my WWI 32nd division collection, and all my pickelhaubes, but in the end I think it was a good choice. The second box contained a French fabric insignia from a SPAD. I collect mostly American insignia and uniforms, but you cant study American WWI aviation without a healthy study of the French Escadrilles as well. I've always loved French insignias, but several insignias stand out for me: SAL 1 (the Snail), SPAD 48 (The singing Rooster), and SPAD 152 (the crocodile) Well, needless to say today I am happy---thrilled more like it

The second part of "the box" was in this smaller box. So I actually got two boxes.

A shot of the medal group now owned, I think, by Scott Kraska. The photo is of Alastair during his service. I was amazed by the individual story of this group. Here was a man, who did all he could to ensure he served in World War I. He was denied by his own country, yet continued to find ways to volunteer for frontline service. The fact that he joined the French Aviation Corps, after service on both the Western Front, and the Italian front are a testament to his bravery.

Here is the uniform. It is named to Alastair Ian Grant Valentine. Note it is an aviation uniform. The French aviation buttons are original. Alastair was not Lafayette Flying Corps, but was something even rarer. He was in the French balloon corps as an artillery spotter. Research done by a collector, Tom Fife states that Valentine volunteered with American Field Service SSU 32 in 1917. He was not allowed entry into the US Military at the start of US involvement in hostilities in WWI, so he volunteered with the Red cross and was an ambulance driver in Italy in 1917-18. At the end of that enlistment, he volunteered with the French Foreign Legion, was accepted into artillery training, and became a spotter in the French Balloon Corps until the end of the war.

Here's is quick shot of the opened box. I figured I would take photos as I went, as we all, I am sure, love the expectation of opening a new box. I feel like a kid on Christmas when something comes.

The first photo I just got it opened, I always get nervous when I open the box. I've never damaged what is inside, but I've come close in my haste to get inside.

Second photo is the inside after I removed all the French newspapers, the tunic is visible.

Just got home and got everything settled, kid to sleep and a well worn copy of Snoopy and the Red Barron read.

Downstairs I found this waiting for me. After a little concern, the box looked to be in good shape. Was really excited, Laurent Mirouze told me about these groups several months ago. Thankfully he held them for me so I was able to organize and grab them. One group is going to a friend who collects American Volunteer stuff (hint to what is coming) and one piece was for me. A huge thank you to Laurent and Jean-Laurent for all their help and explanations since my French is terrible.

No, unfortunately no Oooh la la....I tired ordering that once from Paris, and when it arrived, my wife locked herself in the bathroom....

I'm pulling a Boonzaier here!! I just got a call from the wife (who I am surprised is speaking to me) and my box from France arrived!!! Totally cant wait to get home. More to come!!