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What does hq mean

Discussion in 'Military Service Records & Genealogical Research' started by Krystal80, Jun 17, 2010.

  1. Krystal80

    Krystal80 Member

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    For instance my great uncle was hq Co, 3rd Bn, 259 Infantry, 90th Division. I thought most Companys were letters so I was wondering what hq meant. Thank you
    Krystal
     
    Krystal80, Jun 17, 2010
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  2. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    HQ means Headquarters Company. It was a unit that provided the administrative and training functions for the Battalion. It included such things as operations, intelligence, logistics, communications, etc.
     
    LRusso216, Jun 17, 2010
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  3. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Headquarters company.

    Each battalion had 4 lettered companies and headquarters company (plus some other smaller units. It was just that, the men necessary to run the battalion. It was not as large as the lettered rifle and weapons companies and was made up of clerical and command personnel.
     
    Slipdigit, Jun 17, 2010
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  4. Krystal80

    Krystal80 Member

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    were they generally in a safer position than the other companies? My great uncle was a pfc, but I haven't found anything that might say if he had a special job he did in the hq. With all the reading I've done and found about his battalion, it seems they were in several battles and his morning reports say they were almost always inder heavy morter and arty fire.
     
    Krystal80, Jun 18, 2010
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  5. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Battalion HQs were very close to the front and it was not uncommon for HQ personnel to used in direct combat if the situation warranted their committment.

    An antitank platoon was part of the HQ company, plus their was a lot of traffic back and forth to the line companies, bringing up supplies, food, communications, replacements, etc.
     
    Slipdigit, Jun 18, 2010
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  6. Krystal80

    Krystal80 Member

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    Thank you. It seems everyday I learn something new.

    Is there a way to get his metals (awarded a purple heart posthumusly)? I just got done getting them for my grandpa, but he is alive and able to just sign the letter after I typed it since he didn't know how to word it. We are making a shadow box for my grandpa with his metals and other badges/insignia and would like to do one for my great uncle as well. What badges/insignia would he have had? I'm not sure I have anything that would say. I assume my grandpa could sign as his closest living relative as they were brothers.
     
    Krystal80, Jun 18, 2010
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  7. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    LRusso216, Jun 18, 2010
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