What (or who) does your Avatar represent and why did you chose it ?

Mine is the symbol of King Ferdinand I (1914-1927), King of all Romanians (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_I_of_Romania) and leader of the Romanian nation during the first world war.He lead the Romanian army so good, that after the end of WW1, for the 1st time in history, all of the territories inhabited by romanians where united, forming the Great Romania (of course, most of this territories were lost after WW2, when Stalin drew the borders of Europe).

 

The Red Army's capture of Berlin and marking the end of the war in Europe.

 

Mine reflects my interest in the Italians in WWII, which is how I got into the whole thing in the first place. I was playing a PBEM game where I was in charge of the DAK Forces, and realized I had no clue as to what went on there, so began researching. All this, mind you, in my early teens (15 or so was when i joined these forums). So, since Rommel was an obvious nickname to choose, I ended up going with Mussolini instead. My name is also Matt, so the 'M' is in common. Otto hooked me up with my Sig (the Mussolini Banner part) and my current Icon, which has been the same for a number of years now.

 

My avatar is the distinctive unit insignia of the 69th Infantry Regiment (New York National Guard), better known as the "Fighting 69th". During WWI & WWII it was designated the 165th Infantry Regiment.

My great uncle was a Technical Sergeant with Company I of its 3rd ("Shamrock") Battalion during WWII. He served in the invasion of Makin Atoll, where he earned his Combat Infantryman Badge and his first Bronze Star Medal. From there, he fought on Saipan in 1944 (don't know much about his service there). Finally, in April 1945, he landed on Okinawa. On the 25th of that month he earned a Bronze Star for Valor, and 5 days later, he was killed in action.

My avatar is for him.

 

Many thanks to all who have responded so far.

I am impressed both with the variety of reasons for choosing the Avatars, (particularly those that honour relatives who served in WW2) and the actual quality of the designs themselves.

Just in case you didn't know, you may be intrigued to learn that the word "Avatar" derives from Hindu mythology, a fact that I picked up from WEB TERMINOLOGY :: GreyFoxWebWorks.com :: Website Hosting Webpage Hosting Design & Maintenance Service
who's Web Terminology includes the following:
AVATAR - A graphical representation of a person in a chat room. The word comes from Hindu mythology in which spirits come down and inhabit bodies.

Keep the answers coming

 

Mine is Duke as Col Mike Kirby in the tribute movie he made as a monument of sorts to all American Servicemen everywhere-called: "The Green Berets."

This photo represents how much Duke loved America and how much he loved being an American. Also, I was raised watching his movies, still am a major fan of his, and never tire watching anything with Duke in it-even if he did appear in a pink bunny suit on an episode of: "Rowan and Martins: Laugh-In."

 

Mine is a scene from "Empire of the Sun" where the young Christian Bale is reaching out in awe of the Japanese warplane before him. It also signifies my fascination with WW2 warplanes and models ever since I was a little kid. Pretty simple choice actually...

 

Mine's a photo of me at 40,000 feet before heading onto a low level route in the Mountains of Washington.

 

I think I've mentioned my Avatar in other threads. The photo is from my parent's wedding photo taken in London England May 1943. My Dad was a Canadian gunner/driver/dispatch rider and my Mum was a Londoner (Edgeware) worked for "The War Department." My interest in World War II came from my very early realization that most of who and what my parent's were as people was rooted in their World War II experiences, and if I wanted to know who they were, I needed to know about the War. They also watched and read about the Second World War, so I shared that with them as they were quite reticent in sharing their own direct experiences.

The photo in my signature was taken in the mid-1950s when during Dad's overseas assignment with the RCAF they retraced his steps during the War and my mother is seen in the Canadian Military Cemetery. The location was not recorded, but from other photos online I think it is in Holland - possibly Bergen Op Zoom http://www.harrypalmergallery.ab.ca/galwareur2/bergen.html

 

Obviously it matches my username, but it's a tribute to John Browning & his extraordinary firearm designs.
Ex.: 1911 Colt .45, Browning Hi-power, BAR, Ma deuce, Winchester model 94,etc. & many calibers: .45,.25,.380,.32 acp's as well as the .50bmg

His vision should be noted in the annals of military history.

 

Mine looks alot like me in a "Chief-like" moment. Something like a Navy version of Sgt. Snorkel confronting Beetle....

 

The U.S.S Massachusetts was a warship in the U.S Navy 1939-1947 and was used in the Pacific during WWII. I used it because it represented my state and nation, also I am interested in ships.

 

My avatar is Vic Morrow in the role of Sargeant Saunders in Combat! I think Morrow captured the sense of being a soldier, at least from my perspective as a non-soldier. He accepted the responsibility of leadership but it was balanced out by his own desire to survive. The tension between the two elements made for great television. (Of course, I shall rely on true veterans to let me know if I am mistaken about what it is like to be in combat.)

 

Well, I'm sure you can figure out what my avatar is...

Why I chose it? Because it broke my heart when I saw it and shows an oft not considered aspect of war.....But I'm sure my avatar will change periodically!

Lisa

 

In another thread, it was asked where would you have served in WWII. I (as an AF vet) replied the the AAF. Later, while scanning in family photos, I found one of myself at 19. I had just seen a re-enactment photo of a B-17 crew and support people. Well, put the two together and there I am at 19 in a B-17 crew...

 

Back to Mr Crowley again.
Been fascinated by the mad old bugger for decades now.



Cheers,
Adam.

 

Well, mine is of the Iron Colonel (Klink) from the TV show "Hogan's Heroes." Besides being the best part of the show, he represents my fascination for the German side of the war...but because of his goofy character, I'm not a sympathizer, and even like to poke fun of the Nazis. I have a sympathy for the German people during Hitler's reign, which is completely separate from having a sypathy for the Nazis. This is illustrated by Klink's bumbling nature and inability to be in the same room with a bucket without getting his foot stuck in it.


...............or, I just really love Klink and think he's awesome

 

my avatar shows a little piece of england,that so many british and other united nations soldiers,fought and died to keep free for me.lee

 

My Uncle was with the 28th infantry, he is largely the reason I became so interested in WWII in the first place. The majority of my family has a cavalier attitude about military service, and quite frankly no interest at all as to what my Uncle did, despite the fact he received the Bronze Star (at some point during the war).

So, it's kind of my way to honor him.