Info on Marine who owned my S&W 1917

[UtahJarhead]

Davidwhitewolf, I've been watching Random Nuclear Strikes after Boomershoot, but I haven't seen a mention of the revolver's involvement. How did it go?

[Davidwhitewolf]

Thanks for checking! I'm still unpacking and processing video from Boomershoot, so I haven't gotten my Boomershoot After Action Report post up yet at Random Nuclear Strikes, and I was thinking of posting on this thread at the same time as I did that.

Briefly, it turns out that a .45 ACP round from a 5" revolver barrel -- even a tracer round, legal in Idaho, not that I have any here in California -- doesn't have the velocity to set off a boomer. I didn't even uncase Sgt. B's revolver.

HOWEVER!!! At Boomershoot, I had some great conversations with OLEG VOLK (!!!), the noted firearms civil-rights photojournalist, who photographed both me and my wife shooting boomers, and he was interested in possibly photographing the revolver. We didn't get to photograph it that weekend, but I plan to follow up with him to see about hiring him to take some well-staged photos.

I also was the subject of a long interview with the well-known firearms TV personality MICHAEL BANE (!!!) for his show Shooting Gallery, and although I didn't discuss Sgt. B's revolver with him, the contact was made and I have some ideas for how he might be able to help this revolver end up in the National Firearms Museum....

Finally, I have yet to clear this with Joe Huffman, the Boomershoot event director, but it occured to me that igniting a Boomershoot Fireball (i.e., a boomer and gasoline) with a tracer round or two from the revolver would have the same effect on video (for my purposes) as shooting a boomer. Actually it'd be even more spectacular. The Blogger/Media Day this year was cut short because of miserable, soggy, rainy conditions, so there was no fireball. But I'm gonna see if I can arrange for a special Sgt. Bierkle Fireball on Boomershoot Media Day 2011. Joe's pretty easy-going about these things, so long as you're safe.

[PMN]

Thanks Davidwhitewolf for starting this thread and a special thanks to Ruth for sharing all this with us. We all owe everything we have and love to men like Orville A. Bierkle a true HERO!!!

[heypal]

Thank you David and Ruth. My father served in Korea as well, and passed away a year and a half ago. He didn't have much when he passed, but I have his old Marlin .22 and I can't tell you how much that rifle means to me. The fact that someone found and is caring so well for Ruth's father's service revolver means a lot to me as well. It means a lot to the community, and it means a lot to anyone who gives a damn about our countries history. Congratulations David, on discovering wonderful history about your sidearm and for being a stand-up guy. Congratulations, Ruth, on passing your father's sidearm on to someone who will cherish it, and act as its steward until it's time to archive it for history.

Congratulations, Sergeant Bierkle, on making it back. I can't thank you enough for your service. Congratulations on raising a daughter who loves and respects you, and honors your memory and the country you fought for. Thank you, Sergeant. You're in our thoughts and prayers. Your memory lives on.

[scubamark13]

What an Awesome thread! I subscribed I hope to see and hear more.

[icormba]

tagged

[usctrojan]

tagged

[UtahJarhead]

Davidwhitewolf, I know all about Joe Huffman and Oleg Volk. Great people, those 2. Them and many more are on my blogroll. Glad it MOSTLY worked out and I hope you can successfully get it into the firearms museum. It certainly deserves it! Incredible work you've gotten done with it.

[Arteel]

AMAZING story...PERIOD!

David, you are a class act.

Ruth, this was not an accident. Thank you so much for sharing about your father. He is a hero and will never be forgotten.

I hope you decide to check in here once in a while. As you can see, there are tons of good people here.

Take care,

Ryan

[cmaynes]

just amazing....

[fquinonez]

ANOTHER Incredible Marine!

It is warriors like these that make me proud to call myself not only an American, but an American Marine!

Semper Fi brother! I look forward to the day that we shall meet and share the watch at Heaven's gate.

Frank Q.

[UtahJarhead]

Semper Fi brother! I look forward to the day that we shall meet and share the watch at Heaven's gate.

Frank Q.

+1!

[bden]

WOW! I can't say much that hasn't already been said other than WHY THE # (sorry ) DOESN'T THIS THREAD HAVE A STICKY??? Incredible people all the way around here, and one of the best stories I've ever seen. Amazing.

Sticky? Please!! (it took too long for me to notice this was here)

[fquinonez]

Inspirational

I had to take a short business trip this week to Las Vegas, so I decided to print out all of the PDFs posted to the thread. The journal article, one sheet, and the diary. I was proud before I read it. Now I am incredibly honored. I walked a litter taller through the airport on my way home today.

If you have not read the diary....DO IT! I promise you will be all the better for it.

Semper Fi!

[bombadillo]

Wow, this is truly an inspiration to see the historical value and 2 people who would have never known each other otherwise and bringing them together over a great man of the past. Just astounding.