Looking for info on my dad's military service

My Dad served in the Army during WWII, 1944-1945.His name was Woodrow Robinette. He was a Pvt assigned to 726th MP Battalion, then transferred to 180th Infantry, 45th Division in Germany. I have some records, medals, ribbons, and patches he left me but a lot of info is missing. One document shows award of Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Good Conduct medals but I have no other documents that verify any of these. Any info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum, tjrobinette. You may want to go to the new members section and make a formal introduction.

As for your question, someone with more knowledge than I have in this are should stop by. Keep checking back, as it can take a day or more sometimes. Good luck with your research!

 

Here's a link to a previous thread about the 180th IR: http://www.ww2f.com/italy-sicily-greece/32620-180th-infantry-regiment-after-action-reports.html Within that thread is this link to the 45th ID group on Yahoo: 45thinfantry : 45th Infantry Division (Thunderbirds)

These links should keep you busy until our local expert on the 45th (kerrd5) comes along!

Good luck!

 

thanks Steve. I will check them out.

 

Thanks Lou. I can scan the document in but not sure how to post here.

 

I was advised to set up a photobucket.com account and then just copy & paste the link it gives you. That way the scanned document stays in a big enough size to read. It is very easy to use, just download the scan and it gives you links to use. Hope that helps

 

Lou, here is the my dad's 1577. View attachment 14051

 

tjrobinette,
Looks like the 1577 confirms some of your beginning post ie the Bronze star etc. plus reads the following....if I'm off I'm sure someone will help correct it.
#9 Bronze Star
#13 Army Commendation Medal
#14 Purple Heart
#18 Valorous Unit Emblem
#23 European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/3 Bronze Stars
#32 Armed Forces Reserve Medal
#34 Combat Infantryman Badge
and finally Sharpshooter Badge w/rifle,carbine and pistol bar....and Combat Infantry Shoulder Cord
Regards
Clint

 

tjrobinette,

Head over to the North Afican and Mediterranean Theater section. There's a good discussion about the 180th with after action reports.

 

Thanks 693FA. I am curious about the Valorous Unit Emblem. Info I found on it says is awarded on or after 1963. My Dad only served until 1946?? Also, his discharge paperwork does not mention anything about the CIB, BS, PH, or Commendation Medal?

 

Thanks, will check it out Steve.

 

tjrobinette,
I dont want to say its typical that the paperwork you have wont mention anything about the awards...but just from my experience one uncle I have been researching, most of the info I got on his awards/decorations came via the ABMC website and some hard research....shoot it took finding a book printed in 1946 to confirm at least one Bronze Star and I'am still digging! Hate to ask but have you done the NARA request yet(form SF180)? The CIB will kind of be self explanatory if he saw any combat in one of the theaters I would think...Google the other medals and in most cases you can find the criteria that would merit the award and go from there. Good luck!
Regards
Clint

 

TJ.I have found that overworked clerks make up abbreviations or shorten things up.In light of that;I would check into whether your fathers unit was eligible for any of the fourgeres given by various countries("shoulder cord").Also the ("Comb Inf") maybe the CIB.Just my thoughts on the matter.Good luck and don't give up.
Bob

 

For some reason I feel compelled to add my two cents to this old thread.

I noticed the Form 1577 was dated 1985. So I assume this was generated by a fairly modern personnel office. Since the title is "Authorized Awards" I suspect they take the position they are generating guidance to a member of the active Army. So what I think we are seeing is an interpretation of past awards with current practices.

So, where WWII infantry soldiers wore the blue piping on the garrison cap, today infantry soldiers wear the blue shoulder cord.

It might be the same rationale at work with the Valorous Unit Citation/Award which did not exist in WWII. The Distinguished Unit Citation (now called Presidential Unit Citation) was awarded seven times to units of the 45th ID. I would not be surprised if the 180th Infantry or it's battalions earned one or more. So, on one hand, it seems likely the personnel office found a reason to credit this individual with a VUC it does not seem likely that all the DUCs of WWII would be retro-actively evaluated to either PUC, VUC or MUC (Meritorious Unit Citation). So still a mystery to me but I would use the WWII practice. If this gentlemen was a member of a unit that earned a DUC then he is entitled to that award.

Regarding the Bronze Star. Sometime in the 1960's I believe all WWII infantrymen were authorized a BS. At the same time, IIRC, all BS that were awarded for specific acts of valor were upgraded to a BS with V Device.

Sadly discharge papers are notoriously bad for reconstructing a persons service record. Although 80% of the WWII era personnel records were destroyed by fire, if you are lucky, it is still the best option for doing family member research.

 

I think Earthican is correct in some of the oddities on the 1577. I've never seen the DUI for WWII called out as a VUC or an Infantry Fourguerre added to indicate that branch of service for WWII but it makes sense how these were added. A little tweek on the Bronze Star--all Infantrymen "who earned the CIB" in WWII were authorized to wear the Bronze Star.
As far as awards not showing up on seperation papers, this is pretty common. So many men were discharged in '46 that they were run through as quickly as possible without much chance for accuracy. When a replacement of awards is made with the archives the records are researched and most awards are given. Foreign awards will not be replaced but should be listed-- but nothing replaces some good old fashion personal reasearch on a unit to know for sure. If there is proof of an award being given and there is no record on the DD-214, it is possible to have the records changed. Just my two cents.