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WWII vet in 181st Field Artillery Battalion

Discussion in 'Military Service Records & Genealogical Research' started by nadypunk, May 1, 2011.

  1. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I'm a bit confused. Was he awarded the Philippine Liberation medal? If you can post pictures of the medals, it would help.

    To be awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal, a service member must have participated in at least one of the following actions:[2][3][4]

    • Participation in the initial landing operation of Leyte and adjoining islands from 17 October to 20 October 1944. An individual is considered to have participated in such operations if he landed on Leyte or adjoining islands, was on a ship in Philippine waters, or was a crewmember of an airplane, which flew over Philippine territory during the period.
    • Participation in any engagement against hostile Japanese forces on Leyte and adjoining islands during the Philippine Liberation Campaign of 17 October 1944, to 2 September 1945.
    • Participation in any engagement against hostile Japanese forces on islands other than those mentioned above during the Philippine Liberation Campaign of 17 October 1944, to 2 September 1945.
    • Served in the Philippine Islands or on ships in Philippine waters for not less than 30 days during the period.
    Personnel who are awarded the medal for participation in any of the above-mentioned operations are authorized a bronze 3⁄16" service star to the Philippine Liberation Medal for each additional qualifying action.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2020
  2. BobS48461

    BobS48461 New Member

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  3. BobS48461

    BobS48461 New Member

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    His uniform has three rows of ribbons. The first is a single ribbon for the Philippine Liberation Medal.
    The second row has three ribbons for, in order, the Mindanao & Sulu Campaign, the Luzon Liberation and his good conduct medal.
    The third row is the US Victory medal, Asia-Pacific medal and US Armed forces victory medal.

    The two medals for Mindanao/Sulu and Luzon were awarded by the Philippine Government. I’m trying to find out the circumstances where soldiers in the 181st were awarded these decorations by the Philippine government. No doubt they deserved them.
     
  4. Tipnring

    Tipnring Active Member

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    I found this article concerning Bronze Star's awarded to 18 men of the 181 FA. Sgt. Robert Children was one of them.


    B67A5280-1514-4380-B38D-56E843C3DF87.jpeg
    The Tennessean Nashville, Tennessee
    20 Aug 1945, Mon • Page 14
     
  5. BobS48461

    BobS48461 New Member

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  6. BobS48461

    BobS48461 New Member

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    Researching his campaign medals raises many questions. He has the Luzon Liberation medal and the Mindanao and Sulu Campaign medal. These were awarded by the Philippine government. We were able to restore the Luzon medal but the Mindanao medal is rare. Question is: why were soldiers of the 181st FAB awarded these medals by the Philippine government
     
  7. BobS48461

    BobS48461 New Member

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  8. BobS48461

    BobS48461 New Member

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    Second row,middle medal is Luzon upload_2020-12-21_21-0-12.jpeg upload_2020-12-21_21-0-12.jpeg
     
  9. BobS48461

    BobS48461 New Member

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    Second row, first medal is the Mindanao and Sulu campaign. Both were awarded by the Philippine Government. upload_2020-12-21_21-2-49.jpeg upload_2020-12-21_21-3-34.jpeg
     
  10. BobS48461

    BobS48461 New Member

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    His US medals were recently restored. His Asia-Pacific Medal has 3 battle stars and a arrowhead for amphibious landing. The Luzon ribbon has a battle star.
     
  11. BobS48461

    BobS48461 New Member

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    For anyone interested in the 181st FAB, reference the Leavenworth Paper No.9, page 37. Persecution Task Force, Aitape, New Guinean April 1944. The 181st FAB’s 155 mm howitzers reinforced the 32d Division. Interesting description and a very good paper on the battle. Map 9 identifies location of 181st deployment
     
  12. Jon crocker

    Jon crocker New Member

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    Hi. I’m currently looking for my Grandfather. I have a picture and a possible name. Could you check the year book please. George S Nedza. I think he joined in 41 and would have been 181…Thank
    You
     
  13. Tipnring

    Tipnring Active Member

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    Last edited: Apr 4, 2022
  14. Jon crocker

    Jon crocker New Member

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    Wow thank you for the information. The rank looks good for the photo I have. Is it worth posting the photo? I will look into the unit a bit more.
     
  15. Tipnring

    Tipnring Active Member

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    I would post the photo. There are a lot of helpful members on this site that have access to records and documentation and they may be able to share some info with you.
     
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  16. Jon crocker

    Jon crocker New Member

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  17. Jon crocker

    Jon crocker New Member

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    3679FF07-5BC1-40FC-8AA2-38315FE7263D.jpeg
     
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  18. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    0001.jpg 0001.jpg
     
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  19. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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  20. Jon crocker

    Jon crocker New Member

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    Thank you everyone for the info so far. I’ve found this book which is obviously rare but may have some really useful info from the 200th FA that he served with 4517451F-5532-438D-904E-019C07C215D6.png
     
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