Posted: 4/24/2006 8:59:53 PM EDT
I just recently received my grandfather (who has been dead for about 10 years) his discharge papers from wwII. He fought in the asian war, but it would be nice to understand what some of this stuff means.. Like the decorations, medals, and some of the other military terms that may be interesting. Obviously I am not in the military nor never have been, and I don't know much. I know the papers arent in the greatest of shape, but they are 60+ years old.
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Your grand father is a true WWII Hero. From the Document I can tell you that he was a Sergeant Infantryman with the following awards CIB - Combat Infantrymans Badge- seen direct combat with the ememy Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon - 3 tours of duty in the Pacific American Theater Ribbon Philippine Liberation Ribbon Purple Heart - Injuried while in direct contact with the ememy Silver Star - Second Highest Medal for Valor WWII Victory Medal He was in Luzon in 1945 and spent almost 3 yrs in service. Hope that helps |
I knew that the purple heart meant injured, but the CIB, I wasn't aware of. And a question I have with how that is listed, does that mean he got a total of 4 bronze stars? |
Just so you have some extended info on the subject, by fighting on Luzon, your grandpappy was indirectly involved in liberting my dad, who was a prisoner of the Japs for a number of years there. The contribution he made liberating the island, is the reason I'm here today, writing this. A big thanks to him, wherever he is.
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Edited for correctness. The bronze stars on the ribbons mean multiple awards. The ribbon itself is the first award, and each additional star is an additional award. Do not confuse a bronze star on a ribbon for the Bronze Star Medal, which is awarded for valor in combat. Your grandfather was awarded a Silver Star, which is number three for valor. Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross (the Distinguished Service Medal is a non combat award) Silver Star Bronze Star
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My bad didnt have the awards listing on hand... forgot about the DSC |
| you guys sparked curiosity in me, so I talked to my grandma about it, and she said that he got the silver star for volunteering to hunt (and personally kill) jap snipers. But shes kind of old and senile... So, I don't know. I was only about 9 or 10 when he died, and I probably only met the guy a handful of times in my life...It was my father's dad and we didn't go over there much, because my mom hated him and said he was a crazy indian (native american). Well, I do remember one time when I was real young over there house watching tv and I flipped thru the channels to a war movie, set the remote down on the coffee table, and he turned it off and threw the remote against the wall.. He never really talked to much. |
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One suggestion..... although he has passed on, I would recommend blacking out his service number (i.e. his social security #). In today's age, there are plenty of folks who would love to have it to create fake identitys with. BTW I salute your grandfather, a true patriot! |
No need to worry. Prior to the 1970's, the military generated a unique service number that is not a social security number. "Stealing' an old service serial number would do no one any good.
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+1 A year and 10 months overseas and he went through at least 4 major campaigns. I can't remember if the A-P Theater medal was cumulative or not. Unfortunately I can no longer ask my Dad. In either case you have every reason to be very proud of your Grandfather. They didn't give out Silver Stars and Purple Hearts in those days for pulling someone out of the river and scratching your pinkie. A-P Theater Medal The A-P Theather was cumulative. So four campaigns. A true hero. A bronze star is worn on the ribbon to indicate participation in designated campaigns. The designated campaigns for the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and inscriptions used on the Army Flag streamer set are: o Philippine Island 7 Dec 41 - 10 May 42 o Burma, 1942 7 Dec 41 - 26 May 42 o Central Pacific 7 Dec 41 - 6 Dec 43 o East Indies 1 Jan 42 - 22 Jul 42 o India-Burma 2 Apr 42 - 28 Jan 45 o Air Offensive, Japan 17 Apr 42 - 2 Sep 45 o Aleutian Islands 3 Jun 42 - 24 Aug 43 o China Defensive 4 Jul 42 - 4 May 45 o Papua 23 Jul 42 - 23 Jan 43 o Guadalcanal 7 Aug 42 - 21 Feb 43 o New Guinea 24 Jan 43 - 31 Dec 44 o Northern Solomons 22 Feb 43 - 21 Nov 44 o Eastern Mandates 7 Dec 43 - 14 Jun 44 o Bismarck Archipelago 15 Dec 43 - 27 Nov 44 o Western Pacific 17 Apr 44 - 2 Sep 45 o Lyete 17 Oct 44 - 1 Jul 45 o Luzon 15 Dec 44 - 4 Jul 45 o Central Burma 29 Jan 45 - 15 Jul 45 o Southern Philippines 27 Feb 45 - 4 Jul 45 o Ryukyus 26 Mar 45 - 2 Jul 45 o China Offensive 5 May 45 - 2 Sep 45 o * Antisubmarine 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45 o * Ground Combat: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45 o * Air Combat: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45 P-I Liberation Medal |