Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Interesting hunting/sniper rifle with historical significance

Found this obit, referencing a late Colonel F. Thomas Aylward.

http://hosting-24092.tributes.com/show/John-P.-Jack-Aylward-89789391

Jack was the beloved husband of the late Mary E. (Joyce) Aylward with whom he shared 33 years of marriage. Devoted father of JoAnne A. Pierce and her husband Chris L. Pierce of Melrose and J. Colleen Ingalls and her husband Tom A. Ingalls of Melrose. Dear brother of the late Colonel F. Thomas Aylward, Walter A. Aylward II, James R. Aylward, L. Michael Aylward, Alfred J. Aylward, Marie A. Aylward, Nancy A. Bergen and Jane Hersee. Cherished grandfather of Liam H. Pierce, Olivia L. Pierce, Aidan T. Ingalls, and Teagan E. Ingalls. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

It certainly does.


Perhaps a different Mr. Aylward? Hmmmm...........

http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1

AYLWARD, FRANCIS THOMAS
AR United States Army
DATE OF BIRTH: 03/24/1918
DATE OF DEATH: 02/05/1987
BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 567
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
C/O DIRECTOR ARLINGTON, VA 22211
(703) 607-8000

Glad you posted that, Big Drift.

http://www.koreanwar.org/html/units/7ir.htm?PageNum_Looking=2

Multiple entries....

http://www.warfoto.com/3rdpersonalsearch.htm

Link to the records keepers of the 3rd ID, they can help you on that end. Also confirms;

MG Eugene W. Ridings-May 1953 - Oct 1953

I can keep going as time permits if you wish I just have to run for now, good luck and please keep us informed as to how this develops.

The episode I saw resulted in penetrating the scope and "killing" the dummy.

WOW! I have been following this thread and that post sent chills down my spine. I hope this is real and not a joke or scam. I am inclined to believe you are being sincere and if that's the case I hope a positive outcome will be achieved between you and Loggah.

I will say that regardless of the outcome may all our veterans who have served us with honor and departed us in death rest peacefully in the the Lords' arms.

I'll be tuned in to this one for sure!

given a choice between mythbusters or reading from Hathcock's account- I'll believe Carlos

Has it occurred to anyone other than me that placing a decimal point one place to the left makes the whole story believable?

A group of field grade officers comes under fire from two enemy snipers , the officer most likely to be armed with a decent rifle , [the most junior] returns fire , killing both of the enemy.

The other officers have the plaque made in appreciation.

A "surveyed distance" usually has a decimal point.

True. And at a mile, most small arms are not much threat......but at 200.....

Interesting for sure.

3 things point to fraud or exaggeration.

1. Scope Chief wasn't even a dream then.

2. 2 out of 3 at 1900 yds with that rifle is defying some incredible odds.

3. Enough brass standing around to lead a corps.

Sorry, I just ain't buying it. Too incredible to believe without more proof. A lot more.

Has it dawned on anyone that if this really happened, we would know about it today? Just like we know about Billy's shot and Hathcock's exploits?

With that much brass around, the story would have certainly been circulated by verifiable sources had it taken place.

Yet the only evidence of this happening is a plaque on the stock of an old rifle...


JM

I pm,ed these people yesterday saying i would sell the rifle to them for what i had in it!!!!! i do believe it should go back to the family,but i'm not going to lose money on it, and the never replied to my PM, i don't know what all the scuttle but here is about!! Maybe they dont know what a PM is being new members. Don

Consider these explanations :

Enemy snipers - just like ours - slip into the enemy's CP area in search of hi-value targets like the group listed on the plaque.

The plaque is not installed on the rifle stock until AFTER the conflict , by which time the scope had been changed to the present one.

The decimal point being left out by the engraver explains the distance mistake.

No one has to be lying or intentionally misleading .A Captain of infantry taking out two enemy snipers at a couple hundred meters and maybe saving his boss's ass is an interesting story , but not one that would gain "legendary" status.

I think it is very believable in THAT light.

Take away the decimal point and it is horseshit.

"Has it dawned on anyone that if this really happened, we would know about it today? Just like we know about Billy's shot and Hathcock's exploits?"

My thoughts, exactly.

Evidently you and JM have me on "ignore".

I kind of doubt there was any decimal points ever involved i think yards is pretty well explained. Don

Good on you sir! I know damn sure and well that if it was my Fathers rifle I'd be following this thread 24/7 hoping for the kindness you've displayed.

Curdog,

That is certainly possible, but pretty unlikely.

Why would you put the serial no# of a scope on the plaque that was not on the rifle at the time of the shooting?

The only logical reason for doing this would be to fool someone and increase the value/authenticity of the package. The owner of the rifle certainly authorized this, so it tells me he is not above stretching the truth a little. maybe some freinds took the rifle and had it done for him...I don't know.

Not really buying the dot left off, especially since the person intentionally put the wrong scope on the plaque.

I also find the yardages of each kill suspect. Not only the distance, but the exact down to the yard distance between the 2 kills.

As it stands now, I think it's just a case of someone trying to impress his buddies back home.

Best,

JM

Ths story seems too good to be true, though I hope it is true.

Wonder if perhaps the fancy engraving and plaque were a gift to the good Captain, for his efforts saving the Maj. Gen.?