Randolph I have often imagined myself winning an Academy Award®. I have not decided what I would win it for yet, which leaves the probability more realistic than not. I even have my acceptance speech (and crowd-killing joke) already prepared.
But on a more serious note, I did a little bit of searching tonight on Google, for my paternal grandfather’s name, because that’s what I do whenever anyone mentions Dwight D. Eisenhower. Yes, that one.
After a bit of tweaking to tell Google to stop suggesting “Brian” instead of “Bryan” (after all, if you can’t spell your own grandfather’s name, after whom you are named, you have issues), I discovered that he received two fairly interesting decorations (amongst others of which I am no doubt unaware).
The first is a Bronze Star Medal, which is awarded by the US military for “bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service”, according to the article on Wikipedia. It was awarded to him in 1945.
The second is Officer of the Order of Leopold, which is awarded by the Belgian King “for especially meritorious deeds”, according to the article on Wikipedia. It was awarded to him in 1948. Other recipients include Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton.
What is interesting is not that he received these decorations. My grandfather was, in a word, awesome. He became a Colonel in the British Army, and was with Eisenhower in Europe, including Belgium. What is interesting, then, is how humble he was about his actions in the war, and therefore how little I know about him from that time.
I only knew him for the first thirteen years of my life, when he was long retired and selling carpets, but I always liked him. He commanded respect. It’s hard to explain. I’ve noticed that about ex-military men. If he did ever speak about the war with me, the impression I got was that he was just one of many people doing their best to stop the Germans from taking over Europe. He didn’t gloat or brag. That made him even more awesome.
After I conducted a long interview with my maternal grandfather in 1991 about his own activities in the war (for a history project), he began telling me of my paternal grandfather’s achievements, which made me respect the man even more. How could I not?
I’m proud to carry his name (my second name is Bryan, in case you haven’t figured it out by now), and I can only hope that he’ll appreciate his special mention when I accept my Oscar.