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Tec4 Sidney Schwartz

Discussion in 'What Granddad did in the War' started by McCabe, Apr 21, 2014.

  1. McCabe

    McCabe Active Member

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    My grandfather, Sidney Schwartz, of Baltimore, was drafted into the Army following several years of testing automobiles and light/medium tanks at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Sidney arrived in North Africa in November of 1943, and was ultimately placed with Company E, of the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, around the period of time the division was winding down at the Winter Line. In early December of ’44, he transferred to HQ Company, 2nd Battalion. On January 20, 1944, he transferred to Company H, and participated in the initial landings at Anzio. Sidney stayed with that unit until late 1945, when he was transferred to the 216thAAA Battalion in preparation to ship back to the States. Sidney was honorably discharged from the Army on November 19, 1945, with the rank of Technician 4th Grade. During his time in the service, Sidney earned the Driver & Mechanic badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the associated Bronze Star, the Good Conduct medal, the Distinguished Unit/Presidential Unit Citation badge, the Croix de Guerre unit ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern campaign medal (with bronze arrowhead), the American Theater Campaign medal, the World War 2 Victory medal, and the WW2 Occupation medal (Germany clasp). Sidney participated in six different campaigns; Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. An online album consisting of photographs he brought back from his time in the Army can be found here: http://s1222.photobucket.com/user/McCabeTFB/library/30th%20Infantry%20Regiment

    My profuse thanks to all of the members here who helped me research my grandfather.
     
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  2. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Nice account of your grandfather's service, McCabe. And thanks for posting the link to those excellent photos!
     
  3. McCabe

    McCabe Active Member

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    I sent away for his replacement medals about four months ago. Finally received a response today. I received an updated copy of his DD Form 214, DD orders posthumously confirming his authorized medals, and a certificate for his Bronze Star for meritorious achievement. For about two years now, I've been wondering where he earned his Combat Infantry Badge. Nothing turned up in St. Louis. Well the folks at Army HR apparently found the citation for CIB badges awarded at Anzio, and included a copy, with my grandfather's name highlighted, and also included the certificate:

    "For meritorious achievement in active combat against the enemy while serving with Company H, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. The division defeated the final German counter-attack on the Anzio perimeter in the Ponte Rotto sector, prior to the breakout from the Anzio beachhead, on May 9, 1944. Private First Class Schwartz's exemplary performance of duty in active ground combat was in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 3rd Infantry Division, and the Army of the United States."
     
  4. Natman

    Natman Member

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    I missed this thread originally but you've hit the jackpot getting the updated DD 214 and a copy of the BS citation. Thanks for updating us.

    I'm assuming there were no ID's on the personnel photos? I noticed "homemade" mudflaps on the jeep heading into the mountains and, probably, the same one along the autobahn..
     
  5. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Good to hear that, McCabe. Steve's right about hitting the jackpot. Congratulations!
     
  6. McCabe

    McCabe Active Member

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    Thanks guys.

    Steve - That's a big negatory, no names written anywhere. The only words written on the backs of the photos are included with their respective photos in quotes. The copy of the original citation lists the names of everyone else in the regiment who received the CIB. A lot of names, but it's a start!

    Regarding the mud flaps, I never actually noticed them before, good eye.

    Another thing I forgot to mention... I amended my quote of the BS certificate because it was wrong and I emailed them to send me a replacement. For one, the certificate mentions him being in the 30th infantry division, who wasn't even at Anzio. They obviously meant 3rd ID, but they screwed it up. So they need to fix that. Also, it words it the following way: "The division defeated the final German counter-attack on the Anzio perimeter in the Ponte Rotto sector, before attacking the Anzio beachhead on May 9, 1944." - First of all, it implies the division defeated the counter-attack, then attacked the Anzio beachhead... well they were ON the beachhead DEFENDING it. So it was poorly worded. I emailed to them to have them send me a correct certificate.

    But anyway, I'm having trouble corroborating the date of May 9, 1944. The citation with the list of names receiving the CIB doesn't actually have the date on it. So I assume they ascertained "May 9th" from their tracking system. Because, according to my History of the 3rd Infantry Division, the division was not in heavy combat on May 9, 1944. There is no mention of that date, it is skipped over. So I'm wondering if the citation was written on May 9th, retroactive to whenever the combat occurred? And if that's the case, then it wasn't actually during the breakout. Did the Army HR person just write me a bullshit certificate, hoping I'm not interested in the actual history?
     
  7. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Dates are easily messed up. Could have been March instead of May, or the 29th instead of the 9th. Try looking for German counterattacks in the Ponte Rotto vicinity that involved the 30th IR.
     
  8. McCabe

    McCabe Active Member

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    According to my morning reports for the company, which are incomplete, they were in the vicinity of Ponte Rotto on 5/23. Right away, Wiki tells me there was a Medal of Honor given to a member of the 30th on that date. But I'll have to keep digging, and look for counter-attacks in that time-range and area. Thank you sir.
     
  9. McCabe

    McCabe Active Member

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    I bit the bullet and purchased a copy of the The History of the 30th Infantry Regiment in WW2 for $75. On the week of May 9, during a period of rest and training preparations for the breakout, over two thousand CIBs were awarded to soldiers in the 3rd Infantry Division. This would seem to confirm the copied record of CIBs awarded to the 30th that I was provided, with the given date of May 9th.

    I also received the revised copy of the BSM certificate, and it's still not right, but it'll have to do.

    FOR meritorious achievement in active ground combat on 22 January 1944 while serving with Company H, 30th Infantry Regiment during the 3d Infantry Division's assault on the Anzio beachhead. Private First Class Schwartz's exemplary performance of duty in active ground combat was in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the Army of the United States.

    I told them, when I asked for a re-do, the 3rd ID didn't assault the beachhead... they were ON the beachhead, defending it, for 99.9% of the the battle. Also, the BSM, to my knowledge, was awarded for the CIB... which was not given for "January 22, 1944"; In fact, there was very little fighting on D-Day at Anzio-Nettuno, Allied forces landed without a hitch and only received enemy fire from a very, very small number of enemy on that first day.

    Anyway, it's not a big deal... I'm more disappointed for others in my position who haven't done the research to know whether or not the certificate they receive is accurate, or even proofread by Army HR Command. Apparently, they just make stuff up and assume the public won't know any better.
     

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