603
« on: June 07, 2013, 09:49:10 AM »
This is Sgt Joseph Trupiano's pistol given to him by Col. Felix L. Sparks on April 28, 1945. Col. Sparks obtained it from Unterstumfuher Heinrich Wicker. There is a 160 page IG's report about what happened this day including captured pistol documentation in the IG's file, as the IG wanted Gen. Patten to court martial Col. Sparks and several soldiers under his command for their activities on the surrender of 28 year old auxiliary SS 2Lt. Wicker and his SS concentration camp guards. Patton pitched the recommendation of the IG in the trash can. I have a good idea why Col. Sparks gave this pistol away to his jeep driver (Sgt. Trupiano), but I cannot prove it. His comment in his witness account statement was that he had plenty of war trophies and did not need this one. Sorry the notches photo is not better. My son said they looked like they were made with the rough side of a key.