Help finding info on my Grandfather.

I have been searching for info on my grandfathers military service, Since I first got access to the Internet in 2005. And haven't found anything so i was hoping someone here could help. Everything I know about him is posted below


Delbert & Lois (Einspahr) Arterburn on there wedding day

Delbert Edmund Arterburn PFC, US ARMY(6/6/1922-1/2/1999) He was born in Blue Hill, Nebraska, Stationed in the Aleutian Islands, And fought in the battle of Attu. From what I've been told he was grazed in the head, But never filed the papers to receive his purple heart. I'm not 100% sure if that's true tho.

He is buried at:

Fort McPherson National Cemetery
Maxwell
Lincoln County
Nebraska, USA
Plot: D, 0, 1274

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

May I suggest that you start with a copy of your grandfather's Discharge Documents? Probably the last time they were used was January 1999, when your grandfather passed away (sorry to be morbid). A copy of his Discharge Documents were provided to the Funeral Home that handled the arrangements.

Richard V. Horrell

 

Are the discharge papers the same as the REPORT OF SEPARATION? Cause someone pointed me to the e-Vetrecs, I filled out the application and it said we are eligible to receive the report of separation. Also does anyone know if there is a fee for them to send the report.

 

Josh--They are the same. The official name is "Enlisted Record and Report of Separation" followed by the type of discharge--most say "Honorable Discharge" The WWII form number was WD AGO Form 53-55. This was later changed to DD-214. The War Department was changed to the Defense Department and so the number change.
It gives name, serial No., grade, arm of service, Organization (where he was attached upon discharge--usually his duty outfit) among a load of other information that can help trace his service. It is the Holy Grail to get a start at understanding where he was and what he did. He's wearing a Good Conduct and a Campaign ribbon (can't tell which one without color) It's probably an American Campaign (Attu) with one battle star. Too bad the picture doesn't show his unit patch on his left arm. If you get the separation paper, post it and we'll help you understand it. Oh, there is no fee for this.

 

Awesome, Thanks for the assistance, I submitted the request, Now I just need to go to the library and get a copy of the Obit, So I can send it with the signed authorization form.

 

I got the Obit and it had some info on it, He Joined on Oct 1942 and was Discharged on Oct 1945. He was awarded the Good Conduct metal like Buten42 said also the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal and a Bronze Star.

 

I just found out his older brother Clarence also served in WW2. A very nice and helpful person at Find A Grave did an ancestry.com look up on him and found his service record.

Clarence E Arterburn - TEC4 US ARMY under branch code it says: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA

Can anyone explain what that means?

 

I got an email today about my Grandpas records

So that sucks, Hopefully they can still get me some info. On a lighter note, I asked my Grandmother about family pictures. She had a photo album filled with pics of my Grandfather during the war. I had no idea these pics existed. I'm going to upload them to my computer and post them.