Hello everyone my name is Brian and im 36 yrs old and live in the Philadelphia area. I am trying to decipher my grandfathers Honorable discharge papers and was wondering if anyone could help me out along with any other information. He served with the 508th Co B. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also a huge THANK YOU to al that served
ok here we go...Where it says battles and campaigns there is Rhineland and Normandy right after those it says Go #33 WD ..trying to figure out what that means. Also in the decorations and citations part he has a few of them but Im trying to figure out what Good Conduct Medal AR 600-68, Hq TMEGH 46, American Theatre Ribbon Cir 345-45, Victory Medal Cir 326-45, Hq 505th Prcht Inf 45, Combat Inf Badge go #8, and down towards the bottom in the remarks section it says 36 days lost under aw 107, WD Pamphlet 21-4 issued, Lapel button issued along with the purple heart...Trying to figure out the underlined bold areas.
It is the authorization for the campaign medal. General Order #33, issued by the War Department. A good Conduct Medal was issued to enlisted men only. It means he avoided any dust-ups with military justice. The American Theater Ribbon signifies that he served in the Americas between 7 Dec 1941 and 31 Dec 1946. The Victory Medal was awarded to anyone who served in the armed services between 7 Dec 1941 and 31 Dec 1946. CIR 345-45 is the the authorization for the award. The 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment certified that he was eligible for the Combat Infantry Badge. The Lapel Button mentioned is the Ruptured Duck, worn by discharged men for up to 30 days or until they could get out of their uniforms and back in civilian life. Was he a paratrooper with the 506th PIR?
Thank you Slipdigit for that info. He was in the 508th Co B, The Red Devils. I have a few of his patches.
Welcome Brian. The separation document is full of good information but it does take a bit to get the most out of it. Think I can be some help here, check your personal message.
If he was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge he was entitled to a Bronze Star. It was given to all who won a CIB for being in "close proximity" with the enemy.
Unless post #4 has a typo, I think Jeff meant the 505th PIR. It might take some research to figure out why it was the 505th that certified his CIB if he did not serve with them.
If you are looking for a good 508th site go to 508th PIR . My father was in HQ Company 3rd Battalion 508th PIR.
I was on the 508th pir site and found him on there and seen his name on the jump roster. Also not really sure why on the discharge papers it has 505th.
When a GI had enough points to go home he was assigned to a unit that was going home. So 505th was leaving theater and 508th stayed in Frankfurt so he was assigned to the 505th. He then was discharged in the US from the 505th.
I believe the reference to the 505th PIR is in regards to the CIB award. It is possible that he was part of a detachment that was attached to the 505th and saw combat. It could also be a typo. The most definitive answer would come from HQ 505th PIR GO #8 1945. Comparing the unit histories might provide some insight, but the GO should list his name and ASN as well as indicate the date(s) of the action for which the CIB was awarded.
The way I read the sentence he was awarded the Victory Medal with the 505th and the CIB from the 508th. "Victory Medal Cir 326-45, Hq 505th Prcht Inf 45, Combat Inf Badge go #8," note the comma. GO #8 was recorded by the 508th as the GO for CIBs from March 1945. If I had his full name I could probably find it on the 508th website.
Ah, I see what you mean, though there are commas before and after the "Hq 505th Prcht Inf 45" reference. However, it does make sense to associate it with the preceding award rather than the following award. Thanks.
Hello, my name is Don. I live in Colorado and am the son of a KIA B-17 pilot. I would like to share his story and my search which I'm still in the process of writing.
