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d. Gaddie · #1 (**permalink**) November 4th, 2009, 10:32 PM

I am not a Veteran but my Dad was. I am trying to find out what Division and Unit he was in during World War II. I am trying to write my Family's History and need this information. He was in the Army in the Pacific Theatre. I know he was in New Guinea and the Philippines. I have his discharge papers and his ribbons, badges and medals. I have read all the paper work but can't figure out his division or unit. My Mom's cousin was in same area and he was in the 32nd Division called the Red Arrow. My cousin is 88 years old but remembers a lot. He was in same places my Dad was. Dad came back to U.S. in Dec. 1945. He was discharged at Fort Dix. My Dad is deceased sincee June 2006. I really would like advice on finding out this information. Thank you very much

texson66 · #2 (**permalink**) November 5th, 2009, 12:49 AM

Hi Gaddie! Welcome to the forum. Best of luck to you in getting your Dad's recors. Try this link:

How to Request Military Service Records or Prove Military Service (DD Form 214, DD-214, DD214

d. Gaddie · #3 (**permalink**) November 5th, 2009, 11:10 AM

Thank you very much for site. I will send in today.

LRusso216 · #4 (**permalink**) November 5th, 2009, 05:00 PM

Welcome to the forum. Try posting pictures of the ribbons and medals, as well as scans of any paperwork you have. There are plenty of knowledgeable Rogues who can tell you a lot from those things. Good luck.

Buten42 · #5 (**permalink**) November 6th, 2009, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LRusso216

Welcome to the forum. Try posting pictures of the ribbons and medals, as well as scans of any paperwork you have. There are plenty of knowledgeable Rogues who can tell you a lot from those things. Good luck.

Welcome: LRusso is right on the mark, with everything you have I think we can give you a good idea about the what, when and where concerning your fathers service. If we can't, I'll bet one of us can point you in the right direction to find out. The separation paper- DD214 or equivalent is the most important. Once you get started it becomes a quest and you'll be amazed what you can learn.

Slipdigit · #6 (**permalink**) November 6th, 2009, 03:32 AM

Any photos of him in his uniforms that show shoulder patches and other insignia? Post them if you do.

d. Gaddie · #7 (**permalink**) November 6th, 2009, 12:58 PM

Thanks to all of you for information. I will try to scan what I have. Unfortunately I have to get help as I am not best with computer. I did write for my Dad's Military record yesterday. i marked all the boxes for all papers. At present I have the original envelope the papers my Dad kept came in.
They include Enlisted Record
Report of Separation Honorable Discharge,
Separation Qualification Record,
Individual Clothing and Equipment Record.

I have his dog tags too.

The Medal and Ribbons I have been able to identify are:
American Service Medal,
Asiatic Pacific Service Medal,
Good Conduct Medal,
Philippines Liberation Ribbon,
World War II Victory Medal.

There are several medals that have
Marksman Carbine,
Hand Grenade, and
Rifle and another one that says expert Carbine and sub machine.

He also has a pin that shows two crossed rifles.

On the Enlisted Record and Report , its says he was instructor Switchboard Oper. 659 and 03 Rifle MM 149.

In battles and campaigns it says Luzon, New Guinea Go 33 WD 45 as amended. It also refers to Philippines.

It seems he left from War zone 29 Nov 1945 and arrived U.S. 16 Dec 1945 and went to Fort Dix, N.J. He was discharged 31 Dec 1945. At top of this report say he was Cpl S C AUS.

He was lifetime member of VFW. Would they have any information on him?

Know this is long but appreciate any help.

Slipdigit · #8 (**permalink**) November 6th, 2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d. Gaddie

He was lifetime member of VFW. Would they have any information on him?

They may very well. It would not hurt to contact them.

Buten42 · #9 (**permalink**) November 6th, 2009, 06:26 PM

Look on your fathers separation paper, in box 6. "Organization" and read what it says. Also, it should state in box #33 "Good Conduct Medal" and behind it GO#2 HQ (some number) -(year) The number behind HQ should be the unit he was serving in when he earned the Good Conduct Medal. The crossed rifles meand he was in an infantry unit.

d. Gaddie · #10 (**permalink**) November 6th, 2009, 07:33 PM

I rechecked Report of Separation. Box #6 says HQ CO S C TRNG SCH. Box # 33 has list of medals but nothing behind Good Conduct Medal.
Thanks for information on Crossed Rifles. Actually he has two of those pins. Box 32 has go 33 WD 45 as amended. Would that be reference to Division?

In November, 1942 my Dad was at Fort in Missouri. I am trying to find name. My Mother went there to Joplin, Missouri and they were married by Army Chaplain on November 29, 1942. I hope someone knows that Fort. This could also give me a lead as to Division and Unit he was in.
When we (my husband and I) lived in California we went to Fort Ord and took my Dad. My Dad said he was there before shipping overseas. He shipped out of San Francisco because one of his greatest memories was going under the Golden Gate Bridge. We took him to Golden Gate Park. Maybe these places are a lead to his Division, Company and Unit. As you can see I don't know a lot about the Military but trying to learn.

LRusso216 · #11 (**permalink**) November 6th, 2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d. Gaddie

Box 32 has go 33 WD 45 as amended. Would that be reference to Division?

This part really confuses me. This is Government Order 33 produced by the War Department in 1945. It authorized the awarding of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal. Why this was included since it seems obvious that your father was in the Pacific Theater is odd.

applevalleyjoe · #12 (**permalink**) November 7th, 2009, 03:11 AM

Try Fort Leonard Wood, MO

d. Gaddie · #13 (**permalink**) November 7th, 2009, 07:37 PM

Thanks for info about Fort Leonard Wood. That was right fort my Dad was at. I have also written last VFW post he was a member of before his death to see what they knew about him. I guess some of you all belong to VFW. Do you fill out paperwork when you join? He also belonged to post in Florida when lived there. I still write his best friend and his wife and he belonged to same post. So will ask him what he knows. Thanks again for advice.

Buten42 · #14 (**permalink**) November 7th, 2009, 11:14 PM

Unfortunately, they listed your fathers Organization (box 6) as the unit that he was at when he was discharged--not the unit he was in during his service in New Guinea and the Plilippines. In Box 3 of his 214 it states that he was a corporal (2 chevrons) in the SC. SC would be the Signal Corp. Every division was composed of a contingent of signal Corp, as well as Engineers, Artillary, infantry and others. His MOS (military occupation speciality) as switchboard operator seem to point to this. AUS (box 5) stands for Army United States. He was mustered out at Headquarters Company, Signal Corp Training School (You said Ft. Dix). He was only there for a couple weeks so that wasn't his overseas assignment.

I have a question in to a military historian concerning GO#33 being the order for the EAME Campaign medal. I believe it is, and also the order for the American Campaign, the Asaitic Pacific, and the WWII Victory medals. I also asked him to explain "as ammended" as I can't find a good answer and I'll pass along what he says when I get an answer. There are also numbers associated with the individual battles and campaigns in each theater and I'm getting them confused. Regardless, this still doesn't give us a clue to his unit overseas.

Now that your thoroughly confused, hopefully it will all make sense when you get his records. You wouldn't happen to know what his patch on his uniform looked like?
In general, he was with a Signal Corp unit, attached to some Infantry or Armored Division that saw action in New Guinea and the Philippines. I'm sure he would wear the patch of the Division he was attached to (like the 32nd ID) He should be elgible to three bronze stars on his Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (New Guinea, the landing at Luzon, and the battle of the Philippinies) He should also have two battle stars on his Philippine Liberation Medal.(the landing and the battle for the islands)

Buten42 · #15 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2009, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LRusso216

This part really confuses me. This is Government Order 33 produced by the War Department in 1945. It authorized the awarding of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal. Why this was included since it seems obvious that your father was in the Pacific Theater is odd.

Looks like GO#33 WD 45 covers both, and now I know where to go to read it.
Military History - Military History - Homework Help

Greg Canellis · #16 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2009, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d. Gaddie

He also has a pin that shows two crossed rifles.

On the Enlisted Record and Report , its says he was instructor Switchboard Oper. 659 and 03 Rifle MM 149.
.

The brass crossed rifles, on a solid back means infantry/enlisted man. If they are crossed rifles without a backing they mean infantry/officer. They were worn on the collar of the Class A uniforn jacket.

[Model 19]03 [Springfield] Rifle MM = Marksman and 149, I believe is his rifle range score out of a possible 200. One could qualify as a Marksman, Sharp Shooter, or Expert. SS was around the 160-170 score range and Expert was above 170-200. Don't quote me on those, but you get the idea.

Greg C.

Buten42 · #17 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2009, 06:21 PM

The crossed rifles sort of throws me. His records clearly show he was Signal Corp. He was enlisted so his collar insigna should be crossed flags on a solid background, not crossed rifles. I think the crossed rifles is for something else--perhaps a VFW award(?)

Skipper · #18 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2009, 06:49 PM

Welcome to this fine forum, I see you have already met people who are able to help you with your quest

d. Gaddie · #19 (**permalink**) November 9th, 2009, 02:04 PM

I just want to thank everyone for their feedback. I only have one picture of my Dad in his uniform. It is with my Mom and it shows them on their Wedding day. It is close up and doesn't show any badges or patches. I have one other picture of him in New Guinea but he not in regular uniform.
As to his shooting ability , i know he won medals when in High School and when he was at University of Ky. before he enlisted. He was born and raised in Kentucky and learned to shoot very early in life. His Father hunted and so did his older brother.
I am hoping to learn a lot from his records. I marked everything so I guess it will take a while. Thanks again for all the information. D.G.