The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 30, July 29, 2007, Article 29

HALF DOLLAR SAVED MAN'S LIFE

An article about a donation to a local museum describes how a
coin saved the life of a WW II soldier:

"A single coin may have saved a local soldier's life. Now, more
than 60 years later, the World War II veteran finds a way to
give back.

"Fay Anderson turns 85 next week. To mark the occasion he's
donating his war memorabilia to the Pecatonica Historical Society.
His Army dog tags and purple heart medal will be on display at the
library there, as will what he says was the simplest, yet most
important thing he carried with him while on duty.

"What sounds like the start of another common war tale is anything
but for Fay Anderson. His great nephew Jeff Eckburg knows the rest
of the story by heart. "He was shot in the eyes and at the same
time was shot in the heart."

"Fay lost his sight that day in 1944, but one thing kept him from
losing his life. "I don't know how many days I was in the hospital
and the orderly brought my billfold and personal stuff. I said
that's not my billfold. It wasn't ripped like that."

"But the wallet had his initials on it. And a bent half-dollar
coin inside was what blocked Fay's heart from the bullet. "By
that time I forgot that half dollar was even in that side, but
it was and I guess it might have saved my life." Jeff says, "It's
quite amazing to think he was saved you know with that half dollar
in his chest pocket and to go on and live with this disability.
To me that's a superhero."

To read the complete article, see:
Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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