Knew a guy while in the Queen's Service who wore an old blue sport coat. Had a badge with a fouled anchor and a Thompson SMG, on the left breast pocket. It was the badge of Combined Ops. Commandos.
Johnny had been on the Dieppe Raid with the Fusiliers d'Montreal. He got out when he was told to get on the boat. Back on the ship, the MO looked him up and down and asked him how he got off the beach. I walked, Sir., says Johnny. How? You have 8 bullet holes in you, one of which is a compound fracture of your leg. Johnny didn't know it until that moment.
He's dead now. About 20 years. Every time I see a posting like this one, it makes me think of Johnny Mann and his "Hero Jacket". He was too.
Thanks.