(The lack of stopping power in the .38 was not of great concern,

..38 revolver = signalling device and last ditch suicide tool

since his
entire crew also carried other small arms besides their pistols; a veritable
arms bazaar apparently supplied their needs,

Heh. That accurately describes exactly what it was like. Our 14-man aircrew
shop was better armed than most SWAT teams; at various times I flew with my UZI
(still have it) or a .45 (still have it). Worst mistake I made was selling my
M-1a Carbine with underfolding MP-40 buttstock, but my girlfriend thought that
*one* assault rifle was enough, and the price for .30 cal rounds was killing
me. By the standards of our shop, I was practically unarmed LOL Magic had a
frickin' cannon - .44 Mag, for what, we never knew; Danny preferred an
autoloader SPAS; etc., etc. point being that no one considered the issued .38
to be anything other than a suicide weapon.

as at one time or another
during his one-year tour he himself carried a M3 greasegun, a 12 ga. pump
shotgun, and his favorite, the old CAR-15, forerunner of today's M-4
carbine).

Yep -sounds about right.

v/r
Gordon
====(A+C====
USN SAR

Donate your memories - write a note on the back and send your old photos to a
reputable museum, don't take them with you when you're gone.