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A little help from you military types ............
Got my dad's military papers back ....
flight maintenenance gunner 748 30th Bomb Gp 270th Bomb Sq Decorations and citations: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon Good Conduct Ribbon World War II Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star ( A Silver Service Star is awarded in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Last rank, Sergeant, United States Air Corps Service outside Continental US: 25 Apr 45 to 10 Nov 45 Help me understand my father, who I never understood in his life. To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. Thanks. Steve |
A little help from you military types ............
SteveB wrote:
Got my dad's military papers back .... flight maintenenance gunner 748 30th Bomb Gp 270th Bomb Sq Decorations and citations: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon Good Conduct Ribbon World War II Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star ( A Silver Service Star is awarded in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Last rank, Sergeant, United States Air Corps Service outside Continental US: 25 Apr 45 to 10 Nov 45 Help me understand my father, who I never understood in his life. To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. Thanks. Steve It IS impressive, Steve. Looks like your dad was a warrior. You have something to be proud of. Research the Philippine campaigns. Might want to read about MacArthur too. Althouth 1945 was pretty late in the game. None of that will tell you what your dad didn't talk about. But you might get a good idea of what the situation was. Respects, Richard Lamb |
A little help from you military types ............
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:31:40 -0500, cavelamb himself
wrote: SteveB wrote: Got my dad's military papers back .... flight maintenenance gunner 748 30th Bomb Gp 270th Bomb Sq http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/sha...-1234P-036.jpg http://30thbg.1hwy.com/ http://30thbg.1hwy.com/27thBS.html http://www.armyairforces.com/forum/forumid_106/tt.htm http://books.google.com/books?id=_6w...M pNnUh5K44vw http://www.aafha.org/order.asp?oh=9 Here are the Oral Histories you selected: S/Sgt. Julian Rosenfeld S/Sgt. Julian Rosenfeld: Left Waist Gunner with 30th Bomb Group 27th Squadron and 11th Bomb Group 98th Squadron B-24. 7th Air Force. Saipan, Guam, Okinawa. 31 pages of text. 20 photographs. Map. 6 pages of Army records and papers. Decorations and citations: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon Good Conduct Ribbon World War II Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star ( A Silver Service Star is awarded in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Last rank, Sergeant, United States Air Corps Service outside Continental US: 25 Apr 45 to 10 Nov 45 Help me understand my father, who I never understood in his life. To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. Thanks. Steve It IS impressive, Steve. Looks like your dad was a warrior. You have something to be proud of. Research the Philippine campaigns. Might want to read about MacArthur too. Althouth 1945 was pretty late in the game. None of that will tell you what your dad didn't talk about. But you might get a good idea of what the situation was. Respects, Richard Lamb Impressive indeed. Seems to have been in on the last of the hot fights..at least 5 campaigns. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_War "[L]iberals are afraid to state what they truly believe in, for to do so would result in even less votes than they currently receive. Their methodology is to lie about their real agenda in the hopes of regaining power, at which point they will do whatever they damn well please. The problem is they have concealed and obfuscated for so long that, as a group, they themselves are no longer sure of their goals. They are a collection of wild-eyed splinter groups, all holding a grab-bag of dreams and wishes. Some want a Socialist, secular-humanist state, others the repeal of the Second Amendment. Some want same sex/different species marriage, others want voting rights for trees, fish, coal and bugs. Some want cradle to grave care and complete subservience to the government nanny state, others want a culture that walks in lockstep and speaks only with intonations of political correctness. I view the American liberals in much the same way I view the competing factions of Islamic fundamentalists. The latter hate each other to the core, and only join forces to attack the US or Israel. The former hate themselves to the core, and only join forces to attack George Bush and conservatives." --Ron Marr |
A little help from you military types ............
SteveB wrote:
Got my dad's military papers back .... flight maintenenance gunner 748 30th Bomb Gp 270th Bomb Sq Decorations and citations: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon Good Conduct Ribbon World War II Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star ( A Silver Service Star is awarded in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Last rank, Sergeant, United States Air Corps Service outside Continental US: 25 Apr 45 to 10 Nov 45 Help me understand my father, who I never understood in his life. To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. Thanks. Steve I finally understood my dad after he and I had a heart-to-heart talk . After I came home from 'Nam . He saw service in the South Pacific during WWII . We both did things we weren't proud of , but they were things that needed doing . -- Snag aka OSG #1 '90 Ultra , "Strider" The road goes on forever ... none to one to reply |
A little help from you military types ............
On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:11:09 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote: Got my dad's military papers back .... flight maintenenance gunner 748 30th Bomb Gp 270th Bomb Sq Decorations and citations: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon Good Conduct Ribbon Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon World War II Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star ( A Silver Service Star is awarded in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Last rank, Sergeant, United States Air Corps Service outside Continental US: 25 Apr 45 to 10 Nov 45 Help me understand my father, who I never understood in his life. To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. Thanks. Steve Based on 20 years of USAF service: I can find no reference to a 270th Bomb Squadron of the 30th Bomb group, however there was a 27th Bomb squadron. From what I can discover the Group went to the Aleutians in 1941 and were assigned to the Pacific Theater for the whole war. In 1945 they were flying out of Guam or somewhere or perhaps Saipan. As far as I can tell they were flying B-24's at the end of the war. Reading off his job description he was an aircraft gunner. Reading his service ribbons: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon This is a service medal and indicates that he was assigned to a unit which in turn was assigned to the region at the time (probably) that the Philippines were liberated. Good Conduct Ribbon This indicates that he had no disciplinary actions taken against him for the period the medal was awarded for. World War II Victory Medal another service medal. Indicates that he was in the military at the time WW-II was ended Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star Again a service medal indicating that he served in the Asiatic region for some time. I am not sure what length of service was required for a bronze star but he must have been there for quite a while. Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars Means he qualified as "Sharpshooter" with both a M-1 Carbine and a 1911 pistol. Rather unusual for Army Air Force personnel to have this medal unless he was transferred from the Army. WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button What it says. His rank of Sargent in the U.S. Air force would indicate that he was serving in 1947 or later when the US Army Air Force became the U.S. Air Force. The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. From the information you provide I would guess that he was a member of a bomber aircrew and flew in combat somewhere in then Asiatic region. As a gunner on a bomber he would not normally be in line for a major decoration as these were normally given to aircraft commanders. His Good conduct medal indicates that he did not receive any formal disciplinary action. In short he sounds like a guy that did his job, didn't screw up and lived through it. A good airman as the saying goes. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) |
A little help from you military types ............
"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message ... On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:11:09 -0700, "SteveB" wrote: Got my dad's military papers back .... flight maintenenance gunner 748 30th Bomb Gp 270th Bomb Sq Decorations and citations: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon Good Conduct Ribbon Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon World War II Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star ( A Silver Service Star is awarded in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Last rank, Sergeant, United States Air Corps Service outside Continental US: 25 Apr 45 to 10 Nov 45 Help me understand my father, who I never understood in his life. To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. Thanks. Steve Based on 20 years of USAF service: I can find no reference to a 270th Bomb Squadron of the 30th Bomb group, however there was a 27th Bomb squadron. From what I can discover the Group went to the Aleutians in 1941 and were assigned to the Pacific Theater for the whole war. In 1945 they were flying out of Guam or somewhere or perhaps Saipan. As far as I can tell they were flying B-24's at the end of the war. Reading off his job description he was an aircraft gunner. Reading his service ribbons: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon This is a service medal and indicates that he was assigned to a unit which in turn was assigned to the region at the time (probably) that the Philippines were liberated. Good Conduct Ribbon This indicates that he had no disciplinary actions taken against him for the period the medal was awarded for. World War II Victory Medal another service medal. Indicates that he was in the military at the time WW-II was ended Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star Again a service medal indicating that he served in the Asiatic region for some time. I am not sure what length of service was required for a bronze star but he must have been there for quite a while. Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars Means he qualified as "Sharpshooter" with both a M-1 Carbine and a 1911 pistol. Rather unusual for Army Air Force personnel to have this medal unless he was transferred from the Army. WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button What it says. His rank of Sargent in the U.S. Air force would indicate that he was serving in 1947 or later when the US Army Air Force became the U.S. Air Force. The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. From the information you provide I would guess that he was a member of a bomber aircrew and flew in combat somewhere in then Asiatic region. As a gunner on a bomber he would not normally be in line for a major decoration as these were normally given to aircraft commanders. His Good conduct medal indicates that he did not receive any formal disciplinary action. In short he sounds like a guy that did his job, didn't screw up and lived through it. A good airman as the saying goes. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) Thanks for the breakdown I just quoted what I read from the papers I got. He was a "Sergeant" in the "Army of The United States", and was discharged on Nov. 22, 1945 according to the Certification of Military Service, NA FORM 13038 (REV. 04-01) Is there any way I can find out what he did to get the bronze stars? I understand a lot of records were lost in a fire, and this one has burn marks on it. Steve |
A little help from you military types ............
"SteveB" wrote in message ... Got my dad's military papers back .... flight maintenenance gunner 748 30th Bomb Gp 270th Bomb Sq Decorations and citations: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon Good Conduct Ribbon World War II Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star ( A Silver Service Star is awarded in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Last rank, Sergeant, United States Air Corps Service outside Continental US: 25 Apr 45 to 10 Nov 45 Help me understand my father, who I never understood in his life. To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. Thanks. Steve It is very hard to tell what a person's service was actually like, just looking at a list of service medals. One gets them for just being there. Someone just passing through gets the same medal as a soldier going through hell on the ground (witness the pile of awards a typical high-ranking officer usually sports...). But, I'll tell you a personal story. When I was in grade school, the father of my best friend was regarded as a bit "strange." He was a WWII Navy veteran who had been on the USS LEXINGTON when she was sunk. Many years later, I was in the Navy on board the USS ENTERPRISE when she burned off the coast of Hawaii in 1969. A couple years later, I was talking about the fire to a group of neighbors, my friend's father among them. He, perhaps hoping against hope that, maybe, I could understand, blurted out something about the sinking of the LEXINGTON. Even after all those years, the look of horror on his face was terrible to behold. For a brief moment, he revealed a gaping wound that had never healed. A few minutes later, I saw him headed home. Some years later, after his death, I was talking with my old friend, his son, and told him about the exchange. My friend had never been particularly close to his father (no one was) and had never heard. He simply thought his father was not a very nice person. But, after we'd talked, he began to understand a little better who this stranger, his father, really was. Veterans tend to talk about such things only to other veterans and then only to those who had similar experiences because they are the only ones who seem able to understand. This is largely the reason for such organizations as the American Legion and the V.F.W. So, when a veteran doesn't have much to say about his service, it is for one of two reasons: either there is not much to tell or there is too much to tell. And it can be tough to know the difference. Jerry Viet-Nam Veteran United States Navy |
A little help from you military types ............
"Jerry Foster" fired this volley in
. net: It is very hard to tell what a person's service was actually like, just looking at a list of service medals. One gets them for just being there. Someone just passing through gets the same medal as a soldier going through hell on the ground (witness the pile of awards a typical high-ranking officer usually sports...). True enough, Jerry, but it works both ways. I was in Nam, on "detached" duty under a Marine chicken colonel. We had turned over our boats, and were installing defensive perimeters around small U Minh Forest op-bases to use up our tour. During Tet night, 1971, I picked up a grenade fragment in the face. Nothing bad, although it missed my right eye by only about 1-1/4". I got medi-vac'd to Bin Thuy air base for surgery. After about an hour on the table, they surmised they weren't going to find the piece, and closed it up -- other more serious injuries were waiting. When I got back to my base, our colonel said in about these words, "No metal, no medal." So I don't wear Uncle George's portrait, even though a cosmetic surgeon took out the piece in 1992. I'm not sour about it. A lot of guys lost limbs or worse. A lot of guys got Bronze Stars for just being where they were at the time. The ribbons and pins aren't as significant as they seem, one way OR the other. Jerry Viet-Nam Veteran United States Navy Same... River Rat. LLoyd |
A little help from you military types ............
snip
So, when a veteran doesn't have much to say about his service, it is for one of two reasons: either there is not much to tell or there is too much to tell. And it can be tough to know the difference. snip Well said. George |
A little help from you military types ............
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:14:34 GMT, "Jerry Foster"
wrote: So, when a veteran doesn't have much to say about his service, it is for one of two reasons: either there is not much to tell or there is too much to tell. And it can be tough to know the difference. Jerry Viet-Nam Veteran Indeed. Well said Gunner 71-73, RVN "[L]iberals are afraid to state what they truly believe in, for to do so would result in even less votes than they currently receive. Their methodology is to lie about their real agenda in the hopes of regaining power, at which point they will do whatever they damn well please. The problem is they have concealed and obfuscated for so long that, as a group, they themselves are no longer sure of their goals. They are a collection of wild-eyed splinter groups, all holding a grab-bag of dreams and wishes. Some want a Socialist, secular-humanist state, others the repeal of the Second Amendment. Some want same sex/different species marriage, others want voting rights for trees, fish, coal and bugs. Some want cradle to grave care and complete subservience to the government nanny state, others want a culture that walks in lockstep and speaks only with intonations of political correctness. I view the American liberals in much the same way I view the competing factions of Islamic fundamentalists. The latter hate each other to the core, and only join forces to attack the US or Israel. The former hate themselves to the core, and only join forces to attack George Bush and conservatives." --Ron Marr |
A little help from you military types ............
"SteveB" wrote in message ... "Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message ... On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:11:09 -0700, "SteveB" wrote: Got my dad's military papers back .... flight maintenenance gunner 748 30th Bomb Gp 270th Bomb Sq Decorations and citations: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon Good Conduct Ribbon Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon World War II Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star ( A Silver Service Star is awarded in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Last rank, Sergeant, United States Air Corps Service outside Continental US: 25 Apr 45 to 10 Nov 45 Help me understand my father, who I never understood in his life. To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. Thanks. Steve Based on 20 years of USAF service: I can find no reference to a 270th Bomb Squadron of the 30th Bomb group, however there was a 27th Bomb squadron. From what I can discover the Group went to the Aleutians in 1941 and were assigned to the Pacific Theater for the whole war. In 1945 they were flying out of Guam or somewhere or perhaps Saipan. As far as I can tell they were flying B-24's at the end of the war. Reading off his job description he was an aircraft gunner. Reading his service ribbons: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon This is a service medal and indicates that he was assigned to a unit which in turn was assigned to the region at the time (probably) that the Philippines were liberated. Good Conduct Ribbon This indicates that he had no disciplinary actions taken against him for the period the medal was awarded for. World War II Victory Medal another service medal. Indicates that he was in the military at the time WW-II was ended Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star Again a service medal indicating that he served in the Asiatic region for some time. I am not sure what length of service was required for a bronze star but he must have been there for quite a while. Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars Means he qualified as "Sharpshooter" with both a M-1 Carbine and a 1911 pistol. Rather unusual for Army Air Force personnel to have this medal unless he was transferred from the Army. WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button What it says. His rank of Sargent in the U.S. Air force would indicate that he was serving in 1947 or later when the US Army Air Force became the U.S. Air Force. The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. From the information you provide I would guess that he was a member of a bomber aircrew and flew in combat somewhere in then Asiatic region. As a gunner on a bomber he would not normally be in line for a major decoration as these were normally given to aircraft commanders. His Good conduct medal indicates that he did not receive any formal disciplinary action. In short he sounds like a guy that did his job, didn't screw up and lived through it. A good airman as the saying goes. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) Thanks for the breakdown I just quoted what I read from the papers I got. He was a "Sergeant" in the "Army of The United States", and was discharged on Nov. 22, 1945 according to the Certification of Military Service, NA FORM 13038 (REV. 04-01) Is there any way I can find out what he did to get the bronze stars? I understand a lot of records were lost in a fire, and this one has burn marks on it. Steve A bronze star on a service (campaign) medal simply means it was awarded more than once. A "campaign" is designated by a particular time period in a particular place. If one was in that place during any part of a particular "campaign," he is given the medal. If he was there during more than one "campaign" period, he simply adds the stars to it. Jerry |
A little help from you military types ............
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:33:01 -0800, Gunner Asch
wrote: On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:14:34 GMT, "Jerry Foster" wrote: So, when a veteran doesn't have much to say about his service, it is for one of two reasons: either there is not much to tell or there is too much to tell. And it can be tough to know the difference. Jerry Viet-Nam Veteran Indeed. Well said Gunner 71-73, RVN Gunner, how'd you guys screw that up? We had that won when I left in '69. :) ...or so I was told. --Andy Asberry-- ------Texas----- |
A little help from you military types ............
Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. Bruce-in-Bangkok Bruce not quite. I was in the National Guard at the time of the Korean war. When war broke out I was a Corporal we got "Federalized" and at the promotion board meeting got promoted to A1C. They had just shortly before that time changed the rank desigantions to the Airman 3rd, 2nd, 1st from the older ratings. This was in 1951. Got out in Dec 53 as a s/sgt. :-) ...lew... |
A little help from you military types ............
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:12:09 -0600, Lew Hartswick
wrote: Bruce in Bangkok wrote: The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. Bruce-in-Bangkok Bruce not quite. I was in the National Guard at the time of the Korean war. When war broke out I was a Corporal we got "Federalized" and at the promotion board meeting got promoted to A1C. They had just shortly before that time changed the rank desigantions to the Airman 3rd, 2nd, 1st from the older ratings. This was in 1951. Got out in Dec 53 as a s/sgt. :-) ...lew... Whoops, I was taught that the USAF became a separate organization in 1947 and that the "Airman" ranks dated from that time. Obviously not. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) |
A little help from you military types ............
"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message ... On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:12:09 -0600, Lew Hartswick wrote: Bruce in Bangkok wrote: The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. Bruce-in-Bangkok Bruce not quite. I was in the National Guard at the time of the Korean war. When war broke out I was a Corporal we got "Federalized" and at the promotion board meeting got promoted to A1C. They had just shortly before that time changed the rank desigantions to the Airman 3rd, 2nd, 1st from the older ratings. This was in 1951. Got out in Dec 53 as a s/sgt. :-) ...lew... Whoops, I was taught that the USAF became a separate organization in 1947 and that the "Airman" ranks dated from that time. Obviously not. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) On my father's marker at a military cemetery, it says Sergeant, USAC. When did the United States Air Corps change from being Army and become the Air Force? His papers say he was in the "Army of the United States." Steve |
A little help from you military types ............
Army-Air corp Yes they split later but the air corp was in the army and they
had air men airman just like foot soldier Rifle man. missile men came later. Both Air force and Army and Navy. Martin Martin H. Eastburn @ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net TSRA, Life; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal. NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member. http://lufkinced.com/ Bruce in Bangkok wrote: On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:12:09 -0600, Lew Hartswick wrote: Bruce in Bangkok wrote: The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. Bruce-in-Bangkok Bruce not quite. I was in the National Guard at the time of the Korean war. When war broke out I was a Corporal we got "Federalized" and at the promotion board meeting got promoted to A1C. They had just shortly before that time changed the rank desigantions to the Airman 3rd, 2nd, 1st from the older ratings. This was in 1951. Got out in Dec 53 as a s/sgt. :-) ...lew... Whoops, I was taught that the USAF became a separate organization in 1947 and that the "Airman" ranks dated from that time. Obviously not. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
A little help from you military types ............
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 06:46:12 +0700, with neither quill nor qualm,
Bruce in Bangkok quickly quoth: On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:12:09 -0600, Lew Hartswick wrote: Bruce in Bangkok wrote: The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. Bruce-in-Bangkok Bruce not quite. I was in the National Guard at the time of the Korean war. When war broke out I was a Corporal we got "Federalized" and at the promotion board meeting got promoted to A1C. They had just shortly before that time changed the rank desigantions to the Airman 3rd, 2nd, 1st from the older ratings. This was in 1951. Got out in Dec 53 as a s/sgt. :-) ...lew... Whoops, I was taught that the USAF became a separate organization in 1947 and that the "Airman" ranks dated from that time. Obviously not. My dad started out in the Army Air Corps, stuck with it through the Army Air Force, and then into the U.S. Air Force. I don't recall the years of each name. His B-26 was shot down by Germans over France in '43 and he spent 10 months in a concentration camp. He again flew (C-123s, I think) over VietNam at 1,000 feet in '66, dropping crates of pigs and chickens so they could raise more food. The animals were slaughtered the second they hit the ground. It took 3+ airmen to push a cow--harnessed to a parachute--out the open bomb bay doors. Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooo... A rifle bullet came through the bottom of the craft and into his seat bottom directly under his gonads, imbedding in the metal and leaving him unharmed. Lucky Louis! -- Knowledge and timber shouldn't be much used till they are seasoned. -- Oliver Wendell Holmes |
A little help from you military types ............
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:54:08 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote: Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) Thanks for the breakdown I just quoted what I read from the papers I got. He was a "Sergeant" in the "Army of The United States", and was discharged on Nov. 22, 1945 according to the Certification of Military Service, NA FORM 13038 (REV. 04-01) Is there any way I can find out what he did to get the bronze stars? I understand a lot of records were lost in a fire, and this one has burn marks on it. Steve Steve...Bronze Service Stars are unit or campaign awards. They are not the same as The Bronze Star. Thats an individual ward for bravery, service above an beyond and so forth. The next highest one is the Silver Star..also an individual award. Shrug...sometimes one or the other individual awards are given for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and surviving. Gunner "[L]iberals are afraid to state what they truly believe in, for to do so would result in even less votes than they currently receive. Their methodology is to lie about their real agenda in the hopes of regaining power, at which point they will do whatever they damn well please. The problem is they have concealed and obfuscated for so long that, as a group, they themselves are no longer sure of their goals. They are a collection of wild-eyed splinter groups, all holding a grab-bag of dreams and wishes. Some want a Socialist, secular-humanist state, others the repeal of the Second Amendment. Some want same sex/different species marriage, others want voting rights for trees, fish, coal and bugs. Some want cradle to grave care and complete subservience to the government nanny state, others want a culture that walks in lockstep and speaks only with intonations of political correctness. I view the American liberals in much the same way I view the competing factions of Islamic fundamentalists. The latter hate each other to the core, and only join forces to attack the US or Israel. The former hate themselves to the core, and only join forces to attack George Bush and conservatives." --Ron Marr |
A little help from you military types ............
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:48:55 -0500, Andy Asberry
wrote: On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:33:01 -0800, Gunner Asch wrote: On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:14:34 GMT, "Jerry Foster" wrote: So, when a veteran doesn't have much to say about his service, it is for one of two reasons: either there is not much to tell or there is too much to tell. And it can be tough to know the difference. Jerry Viet-Nam Veteran Indeed. Well said Gunner 71-73, RVN Gunner, how'd you guys screw that up? We had that won when I left in '69. :) ...or so I was told. --Andy Asberry-- ------Texas----- It WAS won when most left in late 73. The South was in full control all the way up to the 'z Then the Democrats cut off all war funding to the South and over the next couple years....they simply ran out of bullets, boots and bombs. Ultimately the well supplied NVA was able to simply walk in and take over. Thanks to the Democrats, all those dead and maimed were for naught. Something..Ill never forgive them for. Gunner "[L]iberals are afraid to state what they truly believe in, for to do so would result in even less votes than they currently receive. Their methodology is to lie about their real agenda in the hopes of regaining power, at which point they will do whatever they damn well please. The problem is they have concealed and obfuscated for so long that, as a group, they themselves are no longer sure of their goals. They are a collection of wild-eyed splinter groups, all holding a grab-bag of dreams and wishes. Some want a Socialist, secular-humanist state, others the repeal of the Second Amendment. Some want same sex/different species marriage, others want voting rights for trees, fish, coal and bugs. Some want cradle to grave care and complete subservience to the government nanny state, others want a culture that walks in lockstep and speaks only with intonations of political correctness. I view the American liberals in much the same way I view the competing factions of Islamic fundamentalists. The latter hate each other to the core, and only join forces to attack the US or Israel. The former hate themselves to the core, and only join forces to attack George Bush and conservatives." --Ron Marr |
A little help from you military types ............
SteveB wrote:
Thanks for the breakdown I just quoted what I read from the papers I got. He was a "Sergeant" in the "Army of The United States", and was discharged on Nov. 22, 1945 according to the Certification of Military Service, NA FORM 13038 (REV. 04-01) Is there any way I can find out what he did to get the bronze stars? I understand a lot of records were lost in a fire, and this one has burn marks on it. Steve You might try Army records in St. Louis - but they really did have a catastrophic fire back in the 70's. A veteran is allowed one reissue of awards and decorations. In this case you would want the citations. Long shot - but possibly? Richard |
A little help from you military types ............
Gunner Asch wrote:
Steve...Bronze Service Stars are unit or campaign awards. They are not the same as The Bronze Star. Thats an individual ward for bravery, service above an beyond and so forth. The next highest one is the Silver Star..also an individual award. Shrug...sometimes one or the other individual awards are given for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and surviving. Or not. Many have been awarded posthumously... |
A little help from you military types ............
Gunner Asch wrote:
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:48:55 -0500, Andy Asberry wrote: On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:33:01 -0800, Gunner Asch wrote: On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:14:34 GMT, "Jerry Foster" wrote: So, when a veteran doesn't have much to say about his service, it is for one of two reasons: either there is not much to tell or there is too much to tell. And it can be tough to know the difference. Jerry Viet-Nam Veteran Indeed. Well said Gunner 71-73, RVN Gunner, how'd you guys screw that up? We had that won when I left in '69. :) ...or so I was told. --Andy Asberry-- ------Texas----- It WAS won when most left in late 73. The South was in full control all the way up to the 'z Then the Democrats cut off all war funding to the South and over the next couple years....they simply ran out of bullets, boots and bombs. Ultimately the well supplied NVA was able to simply walk in and take over. Thanks to the Democrats, all those dead and maimed were for naught. Something..Ill never forgive them for. Gunner Well, actually, it was Walter Chronkite. "It now seems that the war in VietNam can not be won". Right after the '68 Tet offensive was squashed flat. Richard |
A little help from you military types ............
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:27:36 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote: "Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message .. . On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:12:09 -0600, Lew Hartswick wrote: Bruce in Bangkok wrote: The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. Bruce-in-Bangkok Bruce not quite. I was in the National Guard at the time of the Korean war. When war broke out I was a Corporal we got "Federalized" and at the promotion board meeting got promoted to A1C. They had just shortly before that time changed the rank desigantions to the Airman 3rd, 2nd, 1st from the older ratings. This was in 1951. Got out in Dec 53 as a s/sgt. :-) ...lew... Whoops, I was taught that the USAF became a separate organization in 1947 and that the "Airman" ranks dated from that time. Obviously not. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) On my father's marker at a military cemetery, it says Sergeant, USAC. When did the United States Air Corps change from being Army and become the Air Force? His papers say he was in the "Army of the United States." Steve I'm working from memory now but I believe that prior to WW-II it was the Army Air Corps. About 1941 it became the Army Air Force and on 18 Sept 1947 the Army Air force became an independent service called the U.S. Air Force. However, from what Lew writes, above, from 1947 until sometime around 1950 - 1951 the new USAF used Army nomenclature for ranks. The statement "Army of the United States" would indicate a time before 1947 when the "Air force" stopped being a part of the Army. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) |
A little help from you military types ............
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:37:38 -0500, cavelamb himself
wrote: SteveB wrote: Thanks for the breakdown I just quoted what I read from the papers I got. He was a "Sergeant" in the "Army of The United States", and was discharged on Nov. 22, 1945 according to the Certification of Military Service, NA FORM 13038 (REV. 04-01) Is there any way I can find out what he did to get the bronze stars? I understand a lot of records were lost in a fire, and this one has burn marks on it. Steve You might try Army records in St. Louis - but they really did have a catastrophic fire back in the 70's. A veteran is allowed one reissue of awards and decorations. In this case you would want the citations. Long shot - but possibly? Richard All of the decorations you mention are "service medals", given for being there, and I doubt that there would have been any individual citations made. More likely simply an entry in his records jacket. There was a section for listing decorations and service medals and unless one received a decoration for valor, Air Medal or higher, I think that was the only record. By the way, there is nothing derogatory about ribbons being "Service Ribbons", they showed that you were there . I wasn't a bit shy to wear Korea and Vietnam service ribbons and I still think they prove a lot more then a "went to Canada" entry in a resume. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) |
A little help from you military types ............
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:38:44 -0500, cavelamb himself
wrote: Gunner Asch wrote: Steve...Bronze Service Stars are unit or campaign awards. They are not the same as The Bronze Star. Thats an individual ward for bravery, service above an beyond and so forth. The next highest one is the Silver Star..also an individual award. Shrug...sometimes one or the other individual awards are given for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and surviving. Or not. Many have been awarded posthumously... True indeed. "A toast to the living, a drink to the dead To absent friends!!" Gunner "[L]iberals are afraid to state what they truly believe in, for to do so would result in even less votes than they currently receive. Their methodology is to lie about their real agenda in the hopes of regaining power, at which point they will do whatever they damn well please. The problem is they have concealed and obfuscated for so long that, as a group, they themselves are no longer sure of their goals. They are a collection of wild-eyed splinter groups, all holding a grab-bag of dreams and wishes. Some want a Socialist, secular-humanist state, others the repeal of the Second Amendment. Some want same sex/different species marriage, others want voting rights for trees, fish, coal and bugs. Some want cradle to grave care and complete subservience to the government nanny state, others want a culture that walks in lockstep and speaks only with intonations of political correctness. I view the American liberals in much the same way I view the competing factions of Islamic fundamentalists. The latter hate each other to the core, and only join forces to attack the US or Israel. The former hate themselves to the core, and only join forces to attack George Bush and conservatives." --Ron Marr |
A little help from you military types ............
After a Computer crash and the demise of civilization, it was learned
Gunner Asch wrote on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:33:01 -0800 in rec.crafts.metalworking : On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:14:34 GMT, "Jerry Foster" wrote: So, when a veteran doesn't have much to say about his service, it is for one of two reasons: either there is not much to tell or there is too much to tell. And it can be tough to know the difference. Jerry Viet-Nam Veteran Indeed. Well said Gunner 71-73, RVN Rough rule of thumb: the more they talk about it, the less they saw. Not a hard and fast rule, and there are exceptions. E.g., combat vets talking to each other. The Passing of "Tribal Lore" to the next generation. I've been told that any "sea/war story" told second or third hand is done so because there is valuable survival information in it. It has taken me most of my fifty years to get more than the barest outlines of what my Dad did to get his medals. But his response on reading the citations after sixty years was "What a bunch of hooey! They make it sound like I did something dangerous." Well, Dad, it was dangerous, but you were 20 and "not stupid". tschus pyotr -- pyotr filipivich Old farts these days - no like when I was a boy. We used to have us Real Geezers in those days. Now, they'll let anybody with a little gray hair be an old fart. |
A little help from you military types ............
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 05:25:48 -0700, pyotr filipivich
wrote: After a Computer crash and the demise of civilization, it was learned Gunner Asch wrote on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:33:01 -0800 in rec.crafts.metalworking : On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:14:34 GMT, "Jerry Foster" wrote: So, when a veteran doesn't have much to say about his service, it is for one of two reasons: either there is not much to tell or there is too much to tell. And it can be tough to know the difference. Jerry Viet-Nam Veteran Indeed. Well said Gunner 71-73, RVN Rough rule of thumb: the more they talk about it, the less they saw. Not a hard and fast rule, and there are exceptions. E.g., combat vets talking to each other. The Passing of "Tribal Lore" to the next generation. I've been told that any "sea/war story" told second or third hand is done so because there is valuable survival information in it. It has taken me most of my fifty years to get more than the barest outlines of what my Dad did to get his medals. But his response on reading the citations after sixty years was "What a bunch of hooey! They make it sound like I did something dangerous." Well, Dad, it was dangerous, but you were 20 and "not stupid". tschus pyotr I think that it is more a matter of the individual being trained for a particular task and then performing that task. If, for example, you have been through gunnery school and then air crew training when you finally arrive over some hostile real estate it is just more of the same. I had a mate, Army Special forces, who spent three tours in Vietnam. We had a few beers one evening and I asked him whether he was ever scared in Vietnam. He replied that yes he had, once, when the ran into an ambush and were pinned down on a trail in Cambodia. He said that the other times he had been under fire he was too busy fighting back to be scared, until it was all over. Another friend, a C-123 pilot got about 5 air Medals for re-supplying Special Forces camps under fire. When I asked him about it he said, "somebody had to do it." Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) |
A little help from you military types ............
"cavelamb himself" wrote in message ... SteveB wrote: Thanks for the breakdown I just quoted what I read from the papers I got. He was a "Sergeant" in the "Army of The United States", and was discharged on Nov. 22, 1945 according to the Certification of Military Service, NA FORM 13038 (REV. 04-01) Is there any way I can find out what he did to get the bronze stars? I understand a lot of records were lost in a fire, and this one has burn marks on it. Steve You might try Army records in St. Louis - but they really did have a catastrophic fire back in the 70's. A veteran is allowed one reissue of awards and decorations. In this case you would want the citations. Long shot - but possibly? Richard In the letter, it is stated: "Your father is entitled to the following awards:" I will be in contact to see if I can get them issued and place them in a display. Steve |
A little help from you military types ............
"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message ... On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:27:36 -0700, "SteveB" wrote: "Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message . .. On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:12:09 -0600, Lew Hartswick wrote: Bruce in Bangkok wrote: The rank of "Sargent" is not complete, I believe, as he should have been a Staff, Technical or Master Sargent in 1947. A 3 striper was called an airman 1st Class in those days. Bruce-in-Bangkok Bruce not quite. I was in the National Guard at the time of the Korean war. When war broke out I was a Corporal we got "Federalized" and at the promotion board meeting got promoted to A1C. They had just shortly before that time changed the rank desigantions to the Airman 3rd, 2nd, 1st from the older ratings. This was in 1951. Got out in Dec 53 as a s/sgt. :-) ...lew... Whoops, I was taught that the USAF became a separate organization in 1947 and that the "Airman" ranks dated from that time. Obviously not. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) On my father's marker at a military cemetery, it says Sergeant, USAC. When did the United States Air Corps change from being Army and become the Air Force? His papers say he was in the "Army of the United States." Steve I'm working from memory now but I believe that prior to WW-II it was the Army Air Corps. About 1941 it became the Army Air Force and on 18 Sept 1947 the Army Air force became an independent service called the U.S. Air Force. However, from what Lew writes, above, from 1947 until sometime around 1950 - 1951 the new USAF used Army nomenclature for ranks. The statement "Army of the United States" would indicate a time before 1947 when the "Air force" stopped being a part of the Army. Bruce-in-Bangkok (Note:displayed e-mail address is a spam trap) I googled it (WOW, WHAT AN IDEA!), and it was the United States Army Air Force from 41 to 47. Previous from 26 to 41, it was the USAC, and after 47 it was the USAF. Steve |
A little help from you military types ............
I haven't had time to read this whole thread, so I hope I'm not
repeating anything, but you may be able to get copies of his records from the National Personnel Records Center. Start at http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/mil...nel/index.html and go from there. I was able to get a lot of my dad's Army Air Corps and Army records by simply asking. I was also able to get copies of my grand-uncles WWI records (he was KIA in the Battle of the Meuse-Argonne a month before the armistice was signed.... His body was never found). Dave Young SteveB wrote: Got my dad's military papers back .... flight maintenenance gunner 748 30th Bomb Gp 270th Bomb Sq Decorations and citations: Southern Philippines Luzon New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Borneo Philippines Liberation Ribbon Good Conduct Ribbon World War II Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with One Silver Service Star ( A Silver Service Star is awarded in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine and Pistol Bars WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Last rank, Sergeant, United States Air Corps Service outside Continental US: 25 Apr 45 to 10 Nov 45 Help me understand my father, who I never understood in his life. To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. Thanks. Steve |
A little help from you military types ............
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:20:57 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote: "cavelamb himself" wrote in message ... SteveB wrote: Thanks for the breakdown I just quoted what I read from the papers I got. He was a "Sergeant" in the "Army of The United States", and was discharged on Nov. 22, 1945 according to the Certification of Military Service, NA FORM 13038 (REV. 04-01) Is there any way I can find out what he did to get the bronze stars? I understand a lot of records were lost in a fire, and this one has burn marks on it. Steve You might try Army records in St. Louis - but they really did have a catastrophic fire back in the 70's. A veteran is allowed one reissue of awards and decorations. In this case you would want the citations. Long shot - but possibly? Richard In the letter, it is stated: "Your father is entitled to the following awards:" I will be in contact to see if I can get them issued and place them in a display. Steve Here is the page you need. http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/mil...xt-of-kin.html --Andy Asberry-- ------Texas----- |
A little help from you military types ............
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:37:38 -0500, cavelamb himself
wrote: SteveB wrote: Thanks for the breakdown I just quoted what I read from the papers I got. He was a "Sergeant" in the "Army of The United States", and was discharged on Nov. 22, 1945 according to the Certification of Military Service, NA FORM 13038 (REV. 04-01) Is there any way I can find out what he did to get the bronze stars? I understand a lot of records were lost in a fire, and this one has burn marks on it. You might try Army records in St. Louis - but they really did have a catastrophic fire back in the 70's. A veteran is allowed one reissue of awards and decorations. What about if th' vet has passed on and one of his children wanted those? My wife's Dad was awarded two purple hearts, among other awards and decorations, from th' Chosin Reservoir in Korea, Nov. - Dec. 1950. He was also a Sargent in th' US Army. Snarl |
A little help from you military types ............
|
A little help from you military types ............
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:07:12 -0500, cavelamb himself
wrote: wrote: On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:37:38 -0500, cavelamb himself wrote: SteveB wrote: Thanks for the breakdown I just quoted what I read from the papers I got. He was a "Sergeant" in the "Army of The United States", and was discharged on Nov. 22, 1945 according to the Certification of Military Service, NA FORM 13038 (REV. 04-01) Is there any way I can find out what he did to get the bronze stars? I understand a lot of records were lost in a fire, and this one has burn marks on it. You might try Army records in St. Louis - but they really did have a catastrophic fire back in the 70's. A veteran is allowed one reissue of awards and decorations. What about if th' vet has passed on and one of his children wanted those? My wife's Dad was awarded two purple hearts, among other awards and decorations, from th' Chosin Reservoir in Korea, Nov. - Dec. 1950. He was also a Sargent in th' US Army. Snarl Do you know he hisory of that campaign? Yes I do. Living hell and he was one of th' few lucky ones who left that place alive. Albeit he eventually lost all of his fingers due to frostbite, on top of taking shrapnel from a grenade and then gettin' shot and goin' back to fight after both. Dad never talked about it. He was th' Treasurer of th' Chosin Few 'til he died from a misdiagnosis from Madigan hospital about 14 years ago. That was 6 months after he retired. Damn shame, that. He was also instrumental in getting th' Korean Conflict memorial in CA funded. One hell of a man! My wife & I would love to get a reissue of his awards and decorations. Not sure how to go about that tho. Sgt. Victor Stepper (Ret) R.I.P. Snarl |
A little help from you military types ............
"SteveB" wrote:
To me, it looks like something impressive. He never spoke of it. I suspect he did what a lot of guys did at the time and he wanted to forget about it afterwards as to not relive some experiences. His country called, he fulfilled his obligation as a citizen and didn't screw up. An Honorable Man and Patriot. |
A little help from you military types ............
On Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:04:15 -0500, Andy Asberry
wrote: snip My wife & I would love to get a reissue of his awards and decorations. Not sure how to go about that tho. Sgt. Victor Stepper (Ret) R.I.P. Snarl I sound like that AFLAC duck. Here is the page you need. http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/mil...xt-of-kin.html Thank you Sir! Th' wheels are in motion, now for th' hurry up and wait part g. It'll give me some time to make a proper display box. This made our day. Snarl |
A little help from you military types ............
After a Computer crash and the demise of civilization, it was learned
Bruce in Bangkok wrote on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:34:23 +0700 in rec.crafts.metalworking : On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 05:25:48 -0700, pyotr filipivich wrote: After a Computer crash and the demise of civilization, it was learned Gunner Asch wrote on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:33:01 -0800 in rec.crafts.metalworking : On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:14:34 GMT, "Jerry Foster" wrote: So, when a veteran doesn't have much to say about his service, it is for one of two reasons: either there is not much to tell or there is too much to tell. And it can be tough to know the difference. Jerry Viet-Nam Veteran Indeed. Well said Gunner 71-73, RVN Rough rule of thumb: the more they talk about it, the less they saw. Not a hard and fast rule, and there are exceptions. E.g., combat vets talking to each other. The Passing of "Tribal Lore" to the next generation. I've been told that any "sea/war story" told second or third hand is done so because there is valuable survival information in it. It has taken me most of my fifty years to get more than the barest outlines of what my Dad did to get his medals. But his response on reading the citations after sixty years was "What a bunch of hooey! They make it sound like I did something dangerous." Well, Dad, it was dangerous, but you were 20 and "not stupid". tschus pyotr I think that it is more a matter of the individual being trained for a particular task and then performing that task. If, for example, you have been through gunnery school and then air crew training when you finally arrive over some hostile real estate it is just more of the same. I've been told that the flight surgeons wire up a bunch of Naval Aviators flying from Yankee Station and found the launch only slightly more stressful than flying over the target, but the landing was way more stressful. You do what you trained to do, but in a sensible manner. I think in my Dad's case, something had to be done, so he did it. It was risky, sure, but anything is risky in an artillery barrage. But if it had been "dangerous", he probably would have stayed where he was. He was not a reckless youth, but an experienced Combat Infantry Soldier. (Tongue somewhat in cheek.) I had a mate, Army Special forces, who spent three tours in Vietnam. We had a few beers one evening and I asked him whether he was ever scared in Vietnam. He replied that yes he had, once, when the ran into an ambush and were pinned down on a trail in Cambodia. He said that the other times he had been under fire he was too busy fighting back to be scared, until it was all over. Another friend, a C-123 pilot got about 5 air Medals for re-supplying Special Forces camps under fire. When I asked him about it he said, "somebody had to do it." Yeah, that seems to be the way of it. "Somebody had to do it, and I was the one there." -- pyotr filipivich "Quemadmoeum gladuis neminem occidit, occidentis telum est. " Lucius Annaeus Seneca, circa 45 AD (A sword is never a killer, it is a tool in the killer's hands.) |
A little help from you military types ............
On Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:23:42 -0700, wrote:
On Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:04:15 -0500, Andy Asberry wrote: snip My wife & I would love to get a reissue of his awards and decorations. Not sure how to go about that tho. Sgt. Victor Stepper (Ret) R.I.P. Snarl I sound like that AFLAC duck. Here is the page you need. http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/mil...xt-of-kin.html Thank you Sir! Th' wheels are in motion, now for th' hurry up and wait part g. It'll give me some time to make a proper display box. This made our day. Snarl When you get the orders authorizing the award, there will likely be many other names on it. Try to contact the old unit association. They may need a copy of the orders to help find other members of the unit. Just getting a correct name is sometimes all that is needed to find these lost brothers. A Jimmy is not always a James. Many only went by their middle name. I've been doing this for about five years. We've found over 1400 of 1800. More than 200 deceased. Don't put it off. --Andy Asberry-- ------Texas----- |
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