I'm researching an M1 carbine I recently bought that was sent home from the ETO. In talking to surviving family members I guessing it was sent around 1944. Any help identifying this unit or address is appreciated. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/IMG_1232.jpg
It is from Philip Hand (serial number follows below on left). 16th Field Artillery Observation Battalion, Headquarters Battery APO (Atlantic Post Office) 308 % PM (Priority Mail...again normal for military mail from overseas) NY, NY (this is a standard military address). It is going to Frank Hand in Royal [something]. This unit was activated at Fort Bragg NC on 15 June 1942 and disbanded at Fort Kilmer NJ 24 Oct 45. It served exclusively in Europe arriving in France on 19 Aug 44. It served with 9th Army during that period.
T.A. Thanks for the info.,it gives me more to go on. The Patton story does not seem so plausible now though. I got it with a near mint early Winchester carbine and am trying to research it more. Below is a post I put on another forum and more pictures. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Got a call this morning from a guy in a bank in Royal Center, IN. Turns out my GI passed away about a year ago and all his mail goes to the bank now. He told me had no kids but gave me the phone number to one of his nieces who inherited his estate. She told me the rifle was sent home to her Grandfather and her Uncle had a closet full of weapons he had shipped home during the war and a lot of dinnerware and other items for his Mother. She specifically remembered seeing the box in his closet when she was young. She went on to say he went all over Europe with Patton and all he would say is he "drove a jeep during the war". She said she would see if she has anything I would be interested in and mail it to me. Apparently, when he passed away he had a very specific list of who inherited what and the rifles were not on the list and the speculation is he gave/sold them before he died. She also disclosed his family owned the local newspaper and he became the editor. SOooo, I called the newspaper whose current owner worked for him for 10 years and he wasn't in....I'll stay on that lead. At least I have a better provenance than I did. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/IMG_1228.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/IMG_1229.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/IMG_1230.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/IMG_1231.jpg
Since you have his service number and name you could also request his service record from the US Army through the Freedom of Information Act.
Thanks guys, I always thought you had to be next of kin for the records, or is there a different form to use? Tried that on my Dad's records but they were apparently in St. Louis at the wrong time...poof,
That really is a beautiful rifle! I have wanted one for sometime now myself... Maybe one day. I tried to get my grandfathers service record from the army and it was also lost in the fire. There was an 80% loss of records for personnel discharged from November 1, 1912, to January 1, 1960. I too thought you had to be next of kin. Hopefully you will find something more though
Here's a couple more pics. All Winchester-not a mixmaster. I know this is not a gun forum, but I'm sure it will be appreciated anyway. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/IMG_1243.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/IMG_1237.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/IMG_1233.jpg
