Confirmation

Got a phone call from my father a few days ago. He spoke to his older brother, who confirmed Grandpa Walt did enlist in the military. But his service was brief. He was discharged due to a severe health condition.

My father also told me he remembers attending a Gene Autry rodeo with his father and brother. A rodeo bronco named Applesauce got too close to the edge of the ring and banged up my uncle's legs with his bucking. When I talk to my uncle, I'm supposed to ask him about Applesauce.

I wasn't sure how my dad would react to my investigating his father's past. I was afraid it might bring up a lot of unpleasant memories for him. But he seems to want to learn more. How will this research affect my relationship with my Dad?

Enlisting in the Army

Ancestry.com comes through! Still no information on the grave location, but a helpful genealogist located a military enlistment record for my grandfather:

Walter M. Lewis, born 1912.
Enlisted in U.S. Army on August 18, 1943 in Pennsylvania.
Rank: Private.
Enlistment "for the duration of the War, or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President."
Education: one year of high school.
Civil occupation: machinist.
Marital status: separated with dependents.

So I've learned for the first time I have a family member who served in World War II. What happened to him while he was in the Army? Add to task list: locate any additional military records.