My Navy Grandpa

My cousin posted about 20 pictures of my Grandpa on facebook last night. They were old hard copy photos and she had them restored. I'd seen the first picture before, but the rest are new to me.

Grandpa Wickham retired from the Navy. I wish I knew more about all of his ranks and honors, time served, etc. I know he served in three wars - WWII, Korea and Vietnam. That was rare. I tried searching online for more info, but came up short. Anyone know how to find that information online? 

When I saw these pictures this morning, they made me sad. My Grandpa Wickham died when I was just 4 years old, so I don't have many memories of him. Obviously even if he'd lived longer I still wouldn't have known him at the time these pictures were taken, but maybe I could have gotten some stories behind the photos. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and know all of my grandparents during their younger years. I bet they were pretty cool people - I mean, I am an offspring and I'm awesome! ;)

I'm going to guess he wasn't very old in this picture.

My Grandma and Grandpa Wickham in October 1943 - 7 months before they married. She was 15 and he was 19 at the time.

I love this picture - he looks so sharp and important.

I wish I knew the story behind this photo - they're obviously doing some kind of challenge. Eating out of feed troughs, with boxing gloves on and facemasks. I can only imagine the story. :) This photo probably makes the saddest of all because I never got to know him as a fun person.