A Double Victory

[RM Vivas]

One notices odd things when sorting through a hundred thousand plus purchase records.

Stereotypes being what they are, you would expect the Irish to be heavily represented in the NYPD sales figures and you’d be right!

The number of O’BRIENs, MURPHYs, MCKENNAs etc. is astonishing.

If you look at NYPD documents long enough you’ll see that the Department tries to get everyone to use their middle initial. This is because when you have a class of 500 recruits and have 6 John MURPHYs, a middle initial is the only way to differentiate between them. Even that doesn’t always help as I saw one class where three recruits all had the same first, middle and last name! The were listed as NAME (No. 1), NAME (No. 2), etc.

There were 3 John F. KENNEDYs for crying out loud!

Looking at all these names, you find some weird names and the occassional happy coincidence.

In this case, there was one man who was destined to obtain a piece of S&W’s wartime finest.

Book 42-46 page 19 records the sale of S&W Victory #V140564 on 23NOV42 to Probationary Patrolman #19824. Patrolman #19824 was appointed on 21NOV42 and graduated from the Police Academy on 17FEB43.

A copy of his entry in the ledger book appears below. In case you can’t read it, S&W Victory #V140564 was sold to Probationary Patrolman #19824, ......Vincent VICTORY Jr.!

If the gun ever comes up for auction and you are the successful hi bidder, you will have achieved a victory getting Victory's Victory! (thank you , thank you...I'm here all week...please...tip your waitress...try the veal..)

 

[murphydog]

Cool finding! I’d guess his family came from the old country, maybe originally Victorio? And not Ireland.

 

[Memphis]

I feel all "victorious" just reading this. But yep that is pretty cool.

Roger

 

[SWSC]

Palm

 

[SWSC]

Bob,
This Carl C Palm, Brooklyn patrolman prior to the War. He died in 2001 and buried in Arlington National Cem. Received Distinguished Service Cross. I wonder if he returned to the job?

 

[RM Vivas]

Bob,
This Carl C Palm, Brooklyn patrolman prior to the War. He died in 2001 and buried in Arlington National Cem. Received Distinguished Service Cross. I wonder if he returned to the job?

I'm going to look into this one.

 

[RM Vivas]

Bob,
This Carl C Palm, Brooklyn patrolman prior to the War. He died in 2001 and buried in Arlington National Cem. Received Distinguished Service Cross. I wonder if he returned to the job?

Guy had big brass ones, no doubt.

Born in Brooklyn 08SEP16. Lived with his mom at 724 47th Street until he went to war.

In 1940 worked for American Machine & Foundry in Brooklyn.

Must have been fed up with it because sometime around summer of 1941 he was appointed to the Police Department. I can't find his appointment paperwork but he was in the first wartime class to graduate on 15DEC41. Shield #7689.

Went to the 22 Pct. and not much more was available until he entered the Army on 02MAY44.

He had a year of college under his belt which, at that time, seems to have been enough to get him an O-1 commission.

Did his thing, perforated a lot of Germans and came home and was discharged on 15MAR46 with a DSC, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the usual "I was there" WW2 fruit salad. Got out a Captain. Serial #100053410

Went back on 'da Job and by 1950 was a SGT, still single and living with Mom. Picked up LT on 11JAN52. Nothing further.

Pulled the trigger and got married 1956.

Died 30JAN01.

Was 5' 11" tall and 155 lbs., blonde and blue eyed, Jewish.

If I had more time I'd do some in-depth stuff with document images but this is the best I can bang out on my meal break.

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[SWSC]

Helluva man. Thank you for the excellent research and keeping his memory alive.

 

[John Patrick]

My grandfather was raised in Philadelphia. After high school he tried to become a watchmaker’s apprentice but was told, “You’re Irish… you need to join the police or apprentice with a plumber.”

He became a plumber!