Now safely in a private collection the exhibit above is a WW2 US Army issue kitbag. In itself not an unusual or valuable item usually. However this bag is named to one 1st Lt. Willard I. Keary. During WW2 Keary served in King Company of the 134th Infantry Regiment of the 35th Infantry Division.
He was initially listed as MIA on 30th December 1944 in the Lutrebois area of the Ardennes. This was later revised to KIA.
In an "After Action" report of the 654th TD Battalion who were supporting the 134th during the fighting there is an interesting entry. Although we have no evidence to confirm the fate of Lt Keary the After Action report could yet provide a tragic clue.
"During the night of the 30-31st December the 1st & 2nd Platoons of the 654th fired 44 rounds of 3" ammunition and 3000 rounds of .50 calibre ammunition at enemy infantry in American uniforms and 15 enemy tanks, in the vicinity of Lutrebois..."
This action is said to have resulted in the killing of 100 enemy troops and the taking of 1 prisoner!
Could it be that the fog of war had descended upon Lutrebois that night and that Lt Keary was a victim of friendly fire? Suddenly an ordinary issue kitbag seems to hold an added air of tragedy.