My dad had both these patches from ww2. They look to be 42nd ID and 9th ID. Can this be correct?





Ive also ID'd his ribbons but all his medals are gone.

Let me know if I am incorrect with any of the IDs

I did notice this is a bronze oak leaf cluster meaning he had 2 citations. (below)











I would also love to know if this "bracelet"? has any significance.

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Extreme pride and much respect for all of our veterans. Sad to see the lack of respect in modern times.

welcome to the forum gascious,one of the rogues here will have an answer,carl if he's up

I've been here for a bit now researching. I am getting closer everyday.

Thank you to all here for all the info and support.

For what it's worth.
Daryl

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Extreme pride and much respect for all of our veterans. Sad to see the lack of respect in modern times.

a pleasure daryl...

The second patch is of the 9th ID. It could be correct. The 42nd ID formed well after the 9th and he could have been part of cadre that formed the 42nd, although most of the 42nd's cadre came from the 102nd ID and the 2nd ID. I tend to doubt he was part of the 42nd cadre, given his other ribbons.

He has the MiddleEastern Campaign ribbon, the 9th ID fought extensively in North Africa, then later in NW Europe, as did the 42nd. Was he wounded? It is possible that if he was, he could have been sent to the 42nd after he healed, although this was not the norm.

Five Distinguished Unit Citations, leads me to think he earned most of them from the 9th ID, as they were well decorated in that regard.

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Best Regards,
JW

He was not injured although he did get ill and was hospitalized for a bit while in Europe. I don't recall the hospital though. I do remember the VA had to find his record of being in the hosp. there to confirm his service since most records were lost in a fire around 1974.

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Extreme pride and much respect for all of our veterans. Sad to see the lack of respect in modern times.

I am finding out also that a lot of Dad's records were lost also in the fire of 1974. Great info and medals your father certainly deserved! Thanks for sharing also and to those here who are generously helpful. I had taken the liberty of photoing Dad's medals when I was at his home a couple weeks back may post them here at some point..none of these men will be forgotten.

I will be getting all his medals reissued and put into a memory box as they would have been displayed on his uniform. I will surely share pictures when it is completed.

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Extreme pride and much respect for all of our veterans. Sad to see the lack of respect in modern times.

Looks like the bracelet might have the flags of the countries he visited during the war. Just a guess..

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“The first lesson is that you can't lose a war if you have command of the air, and you can't win a war if you haven't.” - General Jimmy Doolittle

Thats what I was thinking. Just dont know if there is any more significance to it or just a trinket.

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Extreme pride and much respect for all of our veterans. Sad to see the lack of respect in modern times.

Back in the thirties and forties, travel overseas was a BIG deal. So it wouldn't surprise me he might have put together the bracelet to remind himself of his travels.

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“The first lesson is that you can't lose a war if you have command of the air, and you can't win a war if you haven't.” - General Jimmy Doolittle

I noticed the enameled lapel/Good Conduct Ribbon bar and also an officer's Infantry crossed rifles. By any chance was your father commissioned while in the 9th ID and then transferred to the 42nd? The 9th served in the European/North African Theatre and the 42nd was assigned to the Pacific. Check that out. Good luck.

If your dad was in the 9th Inf. Div. 15th Engineer Bat. he may have served w/ my grandfather. Small chance I know, but stranger things happen. Westmoreland was my grandfather's 1st CO after he made Sgt.
I've got the book published in 1948 by the 9th Infanty Division Association "Eight Stars To Victory" by Capt. Mittelman so if you have any questions I might be able to help.

I will look into this . Ill try and find his Co while he was in the 9th. He was hospitalized for a bit after the Battle of the Bulge and transfered to the 42nd then.

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Extreme pride and much respect for all of our veterans. Sad to see the lack of respect in modern times.

I have learned that all his records were destroyed and all thats left is what we have. I did find oout though he was issued the Bronze Star Award while in Europe and he did have a Pacific theatre ribbon. As for the officers pins, I have no idea other than he took a demotion to PFC so he could be discharged before going all the way to the Pacific.

I have paperwork scanned if anyone can descipher more than I can. It is PDF format I can email if anyone is interested.

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Extreme pride and much respect for all of our veterans. Sad to see the lack of respect in modern times.

I have learned a bit more on all this since my last visit. It seems as though he was with the 9th ID and they were hurting for a scout during the Battle of the Bulge. They didnt usually use married men with children, but he was good at what he did so they promoted him to officer status and pay while he was scouting. Sounds like they did this to take care of his wife and kids since scouts had a high mortality rate. This explains his officers pins.
I also learned he was with the 9th until going to a field hospital for ear problems from laying on the cold ground. Once released he was sent to the 42nd and was on his way to the Pacific Theater when the war ended.
Very interesting man, indeed. I am so proud.

MUCH RESPECT!

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Extreme pride and much respect for all of our veterans. Sad to see the lack of respect in modern times.