Posted on Sep 30, 2018
Great-Grandfather served in WW2, how do I know what awards he has?
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I have his “entire” service record through the National Archives. I know where and when he served and what battles he participated in. Obviously they didn’t have ERBs or DD-214 back then. I just need to be pointed in the right direction. What document to search for, who to call, etc.
GM: Gunner's Mate G (Guns)
Records
Posted 6 y ago
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If he served in the Army he would have been issued a WD AGO Form 53-55, which is the equivalent of a modern DD-214. The 53-55 was a double sided document that summarized his service record on one side and had the honorable discharge certificate on the other.
More often than not some awards or periods of service were left off these forms due to administrative errors. For example, my grandfather was wounded and captured in Italy, but his Purple Heart was not included in the awards section of his 53-55. He had to apply for the Purple Heart following his discharge.
If you want to dissect his service record I suggest buying the book, ‘Finding Your Father’s War’. You can find it on amazon.
More often than not some awards or periods of service were left off these forms due to administrative errors. For example, my grandfather was wounded and captured in Italy, but his Purple Heart was not included in the awards section of his 53-55. He had to apply for the Purple Heart following his discharge.
If you want to dissect his service record I suggest buying the book, ‘Finding Your Father’s War’. You can find it on amazon.
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SSG (Join to see) A lot of,what you are asking is hashed out in this thread. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/helping-a-wwii-veteran-retrieve-his-uniform?urlhash=3998328
CPT (Join to see) has a very good comment.
Replacement decorations: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/awards-and-decorations
CPT (Join to see) has a very good comment.
Replacement decorations: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/awards-and-decorations
Helping a WWII veteran retrieve his uniform? | RallyPoint
Does anyone know where I can find details on a WWII veteran? He has lost his uniform, and I would like to help him get it back with the proper awards and medals so he can go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
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LTC Jason Mackay
The Institute of Heraldry website is down, that has the description of awards and decorations, eligibility periods and locations etc.
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My father's awards are listed on his equivalent of a DD-214, I'm at work right now so I can't check the form number. His discharge papers have his MOS and awards listed.
My father was Army Air Corps and Infantry so I don't know if the Army's discharge papers look different than the Navy's.
My father was Army Air Corps and Infantry so I don't know if the Army's discharge papers look different than the Navy's.
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