I am looking for information on anyone who served in Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, No Appeennines, PO Valley who was in the 338th Engr. Company C. My dad was there 1943-1945. His discharge papers are all I have to go on. He was an AA Machine Gunner #597 (I'm not sure what that is). His name was Thomas Osbourn from Kentucky. Thank you in advance!
Welcome to this forum jeansamsmom :cheers:! What part of Kentucky was he from? I ask since I'm a Kentucky native myself.
If you can scan and post his discharge, it would make it easier for us to tell you more. Here's what I can tell you: Activated at Camp Atterbury, Ind 4 Sep 42 Moved to Camp Claiborne, La 15 Nov 42 Left NY 28 Apr 43 to Oran North Africa. Arrived 12 May 43 Landed in Italy 8 Feb 44 Arrived in Boston 8 Nov 45 Inactivated at Camp Myles Standish Mass 9 Nov 45 Entitled to 2 battle stars; Rome-Arno and North Apennines
Welcome to the Forum, jeansamsmom. I would second Lou's suggestion to post his discharge paper here so we can better help you. Let us know if you need help with that. AA Machine Gunner #597 means he was trained as an Antiaircraft Artillery Machine Gun Crewman. The 597 is the number assigned for that MOS (Military Occupational Specialty).
What other information from his discharge papers would be helpful? The paper is so worn and tattered that I think scanning and posting would be futile. I can make out some of the information. The info posted here by "L Russo216" is consistent with what I can make out on his papers. I was not aware that he was moved to Camp Claiborne or that he first went to Oran, North Africa. Thank you for that info!! "TD-Tommy776 thank you for explaining the AA Machine Gunner 597!! He passed away 37 years ago and the young age of 55. He didn't like to talk about the war so I never got to ask him questions.
A scan of the separation document will help us understand his awards, campaigns, etc. It would be easier if you could post that.
I don't have access to a scanner but will post the info I can make out. I have already requested medals and that is being processed; should have them by May. To my knowledge he never received them. Name: Thomas F Osbourn, PFC Component: AUS Organization: Co C 338th Engr Place of Entry into Service: Fort Benjamin, Indiana Military Occupational Specialty and No. : AA Machine Gunner 597 Battles: Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; No Appennines; Po Valley Decorations: ?????? Theater Ribbon w/4 stars, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Arrowhead ????? Personnel Officer: G N Miles Capt. AC I have not been able to find anything on 338th Engineer but am finding info on 1338th. Could this have been a typo? I'm honestly at a total standstill. Thank you in advance for any info.
The 338th Engineer General Service Regiment (according to this Wikipedia article) served in the Fifth Army in Italy. That corresponds to the battles you listed. They were all in Italy. You may want to download the US Army's history The Corps of Engineers: The War Against Germany which the above Wiki article uses as a source. The other article it uses has a bad link. I found the updated link here: Army Engineers Reopened a Key Italian Port... The first ribbon in your 27 March 2015 post is going to be the EAME (European-African-Middle Eastern) Campaign ribbon. The 4 (bronze) stars indicate the number of major battles he was credited with. They should not be confused with the Bronze Star Medal. The Bronze Arrowhead would be worn on the EAME ribbon and indicates that he was credited with participation in an amphibious assault landing. I hope this is of some help to you.
