Tomahawk's used in WWII

Raymond Richard, I did four tours in Vietnam (36 months) with Special Forces or the Border Rangers, served multiple times in all four Corps, never saw a "Hawk" or heard of anyone using one. LaGuanas were there but I think in very small numbers. I did see multiple Randalls, Hibbens, a Drapper or two, even saw a SF Captain in IV Corps with a plain, wooden handled Moran bowie. I was into knives, and watched what folks carried, still no Hawks in my experience. John
 
I carried a Western Hunters hatchet I bought in an Airforce P.X (Tuy Hoa 69) for a couple of missions. Lost if off the back of my pack the second time out. Given we were being tracked at the time, it probably ended up being used to make punji stakes! I was hoping it might help me clear an LZ when I wanted a ride home really bad but never got to test that theory.
 
You'd think with so many paratroopers jumping in with mohawks and war paint, some of those guys would have gotten a hold of tomahawks
 
Why? You have a carbine/Thompson/Garand/ BAR, and a M-3 trench, a MK-2 switch and all the grenades and ammo you can possibly carry. Why would you need a hawk (which weren't being made then anyway)? Fantasies are great until you really have to make a hot night drop on a real enemy DZ.
 
I had a book about snipers in WWII and one of the men interviewed was an American Indian and his squad was all American Indian as well. He stated they carried GI hatchets which one of his men used to kill a German in Italy. From all of the books I've read on the subject that was the only mention of a hatchet or "tomahawk" being used.
 
I've read about cultures who respect men who carry large blades and axes over just firearms. Sometimes it's about symbolism and perception over practicality.
 
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