How to read WE AGO Form 53-55 (Discharge Papers)

Our 15 year old Son ( an avid History enthusiast) received a copy of his Great-Grandfathers "Enlisted Record and Report of Separation : Honorable Discharge" for his Birthday. I am hoping to assist him in finding more information and this is a dissimilar paper to my personal DD-214.

Papa spoke little of his Service if questioned and I can see on the paperwork that he was involved in : Algerian/ French / Moroccan / Tunisian / Sicilian / Normandy / Northern France/ Ardennes Battles and Campaigns - He was awarded a Purple Heart having been Wounded in Action France 6 June 44

Specifically, would someone please help me what the following might mean so I can begin my search and provide leads for our son?

" Purple Heart Medal GO#15 Hq 16 Inf 25 Aug 44 Dist Unit Badge GO#29 Hq 1st Div 44 1st & 2nd Bronze Oak Cluster GO#30,33 Hq 1st Div, FUSA 44 Good Conduct Ribbon American Defense Service Ribbon European African Middle * "

* Eastern Theater W/1 Silber Battle Star W/1 Bronze Battle Star 5 Overseas Service Bars

---

Respectfully,
Sharon S.

(Edited: His Great-Grandfather not Grandfather)

 

Sharon I found this file. Its WD-AGO FORM 53-55.
Can you give his name ?

Jaap

 

Jaap

Thank you - it is WD-AGO (that little font was definitely not for reading without Glasses!) I believe we have only the first page of this Record as the information contained on the attachment above is not represented (where stationed, dates, etc.)

His name : Bernard H Luebbers : Enlistment: E St Louis, Illinois

It would be interesting to know the rest as the only piece of information he conveyed (which I may misremember) was being held on a Ship off the N. African Coast which sank/was bombed (?) and having to make it back to shore. We did not know he had a Purple Heart or was at Normandy as he really wouldn't speak of his experiences.

 

Bernard H Luebbers in WWII Army Enlistment Records - Fold3

 

article.

Sgt Bernard H Luebbers (1921-2010) - Find A Grave...

 

He was shipping at the USS Joseph T. Dickman. I found all files of this transport,

Jaap

 

USN Ships--USS Joseph T. Dickman (AP-26, later APA-13)
USS Joseph T. Dickman - Battle of Normandy

 

Shipboard, Normandy Invasion Of Europe, 1945 : United States. Navy : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive
HD Stock Video Footage - Amphibious forces carried by U.S. Coast Guard, at Guadalcanal and in North Africa during World War II

 

The form shows that he was assigned to the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. The regiment landed on French Morroco in November 1942 and fought in North Africa until the capture of Tunisia in March 1943. They landed in Sicily on 10 July 1943, That campagn lasted until early August 1943. They were transferred to England and prepared for the Normandy landings. The regiment landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day where Private Luebbers was apparently wounded.

I suggest that you examine the form for dates of convalescence. He may not have returned to combat after D-Day. Also, you can contact a researcher in St. Louis to examine the morning reports for the 16th Infantry Regiment. The researcher could determine the company he was assigned to and dates of service.

Good luck

Craig S Chapman

 

Thank you Jaap and Craig for the places to begin our search. We live near St. Louis and so this is an exciting time to be able to contact/communicate with a researcher. We visit Papa's Grave site and this will add even more meaning to our experiences.

He almost married a Shoe Salesman's daughter in England, but couldn't see doing that for the rest of his life. He returned home, married, raised 3 children and moved to a small town where he had a small farm and did plastering/wood working/construction.

His Obituary : Bernard H. Luebbers's Obituary on Belleville News-Democrat

Now that we have more information and know where to go for subscriptions, we will continue our search.

I very much appreciate this as we Instruct/Educate about the American Revolutionary War - yet I had no idea how to begin this search.

Respectfully,

Sharon S.

 

Here is the Copy he received for his Birthday Gift - It was all we had to go on until now:

 

2nd Attempt

 

According to his discharge, he served with Company C, 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. The 1st ID was also known as "The Big Red One" which is a reference to the Division shoulder sleeve insignia. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and Purple Heart medal. He was also awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with 1 Silver Battle Star and 1 Bronze Battle Star. (One Silver Battle Star is equal to 5 Bronze Battle Stars.) It looks like he probably returned to his unit after being wounded. His PH medal citation was issued with General Order #15 of HQ 16th Infantry Regiment on 25 Aug 1944. His unit was awarded the Distinguished Unit Badge via 1944 GO #29 of HQ 1st Infantry Division, as well as 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters via 1944 GOs #30 & #33 by the same.

You can probably find a copy of the 1st Division WWII history, Danger Forward, through your local library.

 

Thanks Sharon for your reply. From Holland Iam wishing you succes and an Merry Christmas and a wonderfull 2018,

Warm regards, Jaap Vermeer MDE

 

I noticed the stamp at lower right on the Separation form which makes me wonder if he was having some lingering effects from his wound. He may have been visiting the VA hospital as a result. Guessing Voc. Rehab is Vocational Rehab.

 

Good eye, Steve. Another reason to getting the Morning Reports, in particular for 6 Jun 44 and a couple days after, is that they may indicate what type of wound he received. They would also indicate the medical unit to which he was sent. As I recently found out, the medical unit Morning Reports may have patient lists attached with a brief description of the wounds for each patient. I'm not sure if the researcher will go to that extent, but they may look for it if requested.

 

I have just recently receive my Grandfathers WD AGO FORM 53-55 as well and was trying to determine which unit he was in. I know he was in the 193d Glider Infantry Regiment but I was unable to determine which unit he was in. According to the form, I believe he was in HQ but I am not to sure. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated in determining our family mystery. Thank you

 

Scott,
You will do better with responses if you start a new thread with an image of the paper work.Riding a previous thread will most likely get you lost in the shuffle.
Good luck,Oh please tells us a little about you and your G'pa.We all love a good story
Bob