[Pontiac]

Former President George H.W. Bush got his World War II service revolver back Wednesday, 60 years after giving it to a Navy lieutenant aboard the submarine that rescued him when his plane was shot down over the Pacific Ocean.

Not to show any disrespect to the former President but the revolver was not his to give to the lieutenant.

The revolver was government property issued to him in time of war.

No doubt he reported the firearm lost. A youthful indiscretion at a time when he was feeling grateful and with nothing else to give to someone he felt he owed much.

And technically the revolver is still government property so he is repeating his error.

[AlaskaErik]

Stuff happens in time of war. At least he served.

[Sax]

The man rode his plane into the drink after engaging Japs, and luckily an American sub was in position to help with his rescue. He paid his dues to this great nation, and in my opinion, the balance sheet was in his favor ‘a bit more’ than the cost of a revolver. Of course there is, and always will be, a place for ‘the letter of the law crowd.’ Thankfully, they don’t always get the last word.

[battlegearboat]

Pontiac, I served in Vietnam and knew several individuals who brought their own pieces.

Many Navy pilots carry their own favorite pistols on missions.

I still have my Smith & Wesson .38 that I carried along with my M-14 and .45 sidearm, the latter two being issued to me at Annapolis BOQ/BEQ, Saigon.

Hell, one Navy guy (Alan Shepard) carried a nine iron to the moon.

But you know all about it and that's that.

Sure are a lot of "know-it-alls" here at FR.