Our Old Bookcase
Administrators Brian Williamson and Jim Waechter of the Museum of the Soldier, Portland, Indiana, will return from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24, for their 21st Annual Military Exhibit at the Mercer County Historical Museum, 130 East Market, Celina, one block east of the Mercer County Courthouse.
This type gun, developed in the late 1930’s, saw extensive W W II combat service in the early phases of the African-Middle-Eastern-European Campaign and all through the Pacific Campaigns. The 37 mm M3 was used by Portland’s National Guard unit, the Anti-Tank Company, 152nd Infantry, 38th Infantry Division, deployed during WW II to the Pacific Theatre. They became known as the “Avengers of Bataan.”
These are “Memorial” guns from Knights Town, IN. They have been somewhat neglected due to other priorities for many years. In a partnership between the forward thinking City of Knights Town council, and the Museum of the Soldier, these guns will be restored. One will be reinstalled back in Knights Town, and one will be on loan to the Museum of the Soldier where it will be displayed inside, protected from the elements and as a memorial to both the Knights Town Veterans and Portland’s WW II National Guard unit, the Anti-Tank Company, 152nd Infantry, 38th Infantry Division.
The museum’s display will also feature the accessories and shells used by this gun. With production ending over 75 years ago, many of these items will be difficult and likely expensive to acquire.
Dr. Scott Siegel, Celina, will be exhibiting his totally restored 1942 U.S. Military Jeep, which saw action in Europe, (weather permitting). The Jeep is fully functional and possibly did come over during D-Day in Normandy. Dr. Siegel has an extensive display of accoutrements to accompany this exhibit. This will be the first time Dr. Siegel has exhibited this Jeep at this military exhibit.
Note: The WWII 37MM M3 Anti-Tank Gun, and the WWII U.S. Military Jeep will be on exhibit on the lawn of the Mercer County Historical Museum.
The rest of the military exhibits will be located in the Mercer County Historical Museum. This is one exhibit which you will not want to miss.
Parking is available on the west side and the south side of the Mercer County Historical Museum.
At this Oct. 24 exhibit, the military room at the Mercer County Historical Museum contains local military history, also. For example, the military uniform of Edson Pierstorff is on exhibit. He was graduated from Rockford High School in 1941. He served with the Marines during World War II at Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal of Honor for his service.
At this Open House, the books, “Oil & Gas Boom,” $45, and “New Idea Company’s UniSystem,” and “New Idea Hay Tools,” $25 each, will be available for your purchase.
Once again, the book, “Mercer County Centennial Buildings,” from 1888 and 1900 Mercer County Atlases will be free to the first 25 guests.
Mercer County Historical Society President Joyce Alig may be contacted at 3054 BurkSt. Henry Road, St. Henry, OH, 45883, histalig@bright.net or 419-763-5682.