[11th_VA]

the metal cigarette case he kept in his breast pocket deflected the bullet

I have a pocket bible my father had in WW2. It has a brass cover - no idea where he got it.

[11th_VA]

Google is great - here's the answer on the WW2 bible

[Afterguard]

I have one of those too! It’s a pocket sized New Testament (KJV i think) with a statement on inside from the CiC, Franklin Roosevelt. It looks to me as though it was probably originally given to his parents to give to him on enlistment. Their signatures and brief blessing from them are on the inside of the front brass cover.

I found it among some of his stuff after he died. He never mentioned it.