Helping a WWII veteran retrieve his uniform?

As far as I understand he doesnt have anything. I don't know him personally, I was asked by someone close to him if I could help. As far as I understand, the vast majority of records were lost in the fire, but it's possible to receive a reinstatement of awards. I called NPRC and they said he would have to sign the request. Another concern I have is finding a replica uniform that would be a match to what he would have worn. Thank you for your help and insight. I hope that we can collectively help him do this.

SPC (Join to see) - I would trawl eBay to see if you could get one. If commercial methods fail, I would reach out to Warrior Inc, the technical consulting firm owned by Dale Dye (Saving Private Ryan, The Great Raid, Platoon) and see if they have one you could borrow. http://www.warriorsinc.com

Figuring out his particulars will require a conversation with the Veteran. Simple stuff that you as a veteran understand are incomprehensible to an ordinary civilian that may be well meaning, but doesn't get the significance of knowing what Weapons Platoon A Co, 1-163 INF means. I would still have him sign the request. When I did the request for my parents to get my paternal Grandfather's records, they invited any and all information you had to enhance the search.

Not all he records burned. Most were water damaged and had to be Industrially dried. It's just a train wreck.

The other thought I had is to try and contact the PAO that supports HQDA and see which Company made the pinks and greens mock ups for the CSMA and others, or contactbthe PaO for the PEO Soldiers Systems to get that information....then put together a heart felt request to the company could do this Veteran a solid and provide him one.

SPC (Join to see) I would say getting more particulars would be critical before getting a uniform.
- What units was he assigned to (distinctive unit insignia, SSI and SSI FWTS)?
- What was his MOS? (Relavent brass).
- When did he come in? When did he leave the service (service stripes, gives hints to decorations he might have like Occupation Medals, Campaign Medals he'd be eligible for like the American Campaign Medal)?
- Which theaters did he serve(Campaign Medals/campaign stars)?
- What weapons was he trained on (marksmanship badges)?
- Did he operate some type of equipment or get sent for special equipment training? (Badges like glider or Airborne or a driver's type badge, jump boots?, airborne/glider cap badge on his Overseas cap)
- How long was he overseas (service bars).
- Did he get into any trouble (GCM)?

He would have also got a ruptured duck, which will be tough to find.

SPC (Join to see) may be a long shot, but if he was awarded a MoH, DSC, or SS it might be in this website. https://valor.defense.gov

SPC (Join to see) the reason why I advocate for getting everything you can from the Veteran, you are
1. Capturing his history for the family in way that only a fellow veteran can maybe their last chance to really know about his experience.
2. If you tell NPRC what you think he would have, it may help them piece it together through HRC.
3. You can look in AR600-8-22 for award eligibility or the TIOH website. If he was Infantry with a CIB or A line Medic with a CMB, there was a 1947 policy they were authorized the Bronze Star, retroactive to 12/7/1941. Check 600-8-22.

I can't thank you enough for these resources. I will update this post with any information I receive and inform everyone of the the results.

I will try to contact the company producing the new pinks and greens. I believe it is supposed to be very similar to the old style but I am unsure if it is fully accurate. I am going to the local museum tomorrow here on Joint Base Lewis McChord to try to find out more information on wear and appearance of the uniform for that time period.

I am very glad to hear that the records weren't completely lost. That gives me hope that they will be attainable. Thank you again for the information. I can certainly use every bit that is offered.

SPC (Join to see) - good luck. You are doing a good thing.

I know he served in F Co 405th Infantry Regiment 102nd Infantry Division in Europe. I am unclear of his MOS or exact service dates. I will search through AR 600-8-22 to find out if he qualifies for that or anything else. I was unaware of that. I'm sure he would be very excited to find that out, if he is eligible. I believe we all hold veterans of this era in very high regard, and I want to ensure he is honored properly.

SPC (Join to see) - https://history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/orghist.html

The CAC enabled unit award site may be easier to search.

SPC (Join to see) - https://history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/cbtchron/cc/102id.htm

SPC (Join to see) - https://history.army.mil/documents/ETO-OB/102ID-ETO.htm

SPC (Join to see) AR600-8-22 para 3-15. Bronze Star.
"(2) Award may be made to each Servicemember of the Army who, after 6 December 1941, has been cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, inclusive, or whose meritorious achievement has been otherwise confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947. For this purpose, an award of the CIB or CMB is considered as a citation in orders. Award of the BSM from these documents will not negate the original award or the CIB or CMB. Documents executed since 4 August 1944 in connection with recommendations for the award of decorations of higher degree than the BSM will not be used as the basis for an award under this paragraph. Veterans and retirees may submit letter application to National Personnel Records Center (NPRC–MPR), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138–1002"

AGCM
4–1. Intent
The AGCM was established by EO 8809, 28 June 1941 and was amended by EO 9323, 1943 and by EO 10444, 10 April 1953. It is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service, as outlined in this chapter. There is no right or entitlement to the medal until the immediate commander has approved the award and the award has been announced in POs (see glossary for definition of "active Federal military service").

5–11. Army of Occupation Medal
a. The Army of Occupation Medal was established by War Department General Orders 32, 1946. It is awarded for service for 30 consecutive days at a normal post of duty (as contrasted to inspector, visitor, courier, escort, passenger, TDY, or detached service) while assigned to any of the following:
(1) Army of Occupation of Germany (exclusive of Berlin) between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955. (Service between 9 May and 8 November 1945 will be counted only if the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for service before 9 May 1945.)
(2) Service for the prescribed period with a unit, which has been designated in DAGOs as having met the requirement for the Berlin Airlift device.
(3) Service for which the individual was awarded the Berlin Airlift device in orders issued by appropriate field authority.

5–12. World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal was established by an Act of Congress 6 July 1945 (59 Stat 461). It is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.
5–13. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
a. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was established by EO 9265, announced in War Depart- ment Bulletin 56, 1942, as amended by EO 9706, 15 March 1947. It is awarded for service within the European- African-Middle Eastern Theater between 7 December 1941 and 8 November 1945 under any of the conditions as prescribed in this paragraph.
b. The boundaries of European-African-Middle Eastern Theater are as follows:
(1) The eastern boundary is coincident with the western boundary of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater (see para 5–14). (2) The western boundary is coincident with the eastern boundary of the American Theater (see para 5–15). c. One bronze service star is authorized for each campaign under the following conditions:
(1) Assigned or attached to, and present for duty with, a unit during the period in which it participated in combat. (2) Under orders in the combat zone and in addition meets any of the following requirements:
(a) Awarded a combat decoration.
(b) Furnished a certificate by a CG of a corps or higher unit or independent force that the Soldier actually
participated in combat.
(c) Served at a normal post of duty (as contrasted to occupying the status of an inspector, observer, or visitor). (d) Aboard a vessel other than in a passenger status and furnished a certificate by the home port commander of the
vessel that the Soldier served in the combat zone.
(3) Was an evadee or escapee in the combat zone or recovered from a prisoner-of-war status in the combat zone
during the time limitations of the campaign. Prisoners of war will not be accorded credit for the time spent in confinement or while otherwise in restraint under enemy control.
d. The arrowhead is authorized for wear on this medal to denote participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing, while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission. (The arrowhead is described in para 6–9)

5–15. American Campaign Medal
a. The American Campaign Medal was established by EO 9265 (War Department Bulletin 56, 1942), as amended by EO 9706, 15 March 1946. It is awarded for service within the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 under any of the following conditions:
(1) On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States.
(2) Permanently assigned as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days.
(3) Outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on TDY for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days.
(4) In active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the CG of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the Soldier actually participated in combat.
(5) Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of 1 year.

Section IV
Process Award of Army Service Medals and Service Ribbons
5–33. Rules for processing Army service medals and service ribbons
a. There are no statutory or regulatory time limits pertaining to award of service medals and ribbons. However, issue or replacement of service medals or ribbons before the World War I Victory Medal is no longer accomplished. These award elements are no longer available from the Federal supply system.
b. Criteria for service medals and ribbons are shown in the previous sections of this chapter.
c. These awards may be granted posthumously to the primary next of kin, at no expense, for the initial award only (see para 1–47 for reissue and replacement instructions).
d. Service medals and ribbons do not require the publication of orders to announce their approval.
e. Approval of service medals and ribbons are based on administrative determinations rendered by the commander or servicing personnel officer. These decisions should, however, be reflected in an appropriate memorandum, letter, or form addressed to the affected Soldiers.
f. A single service medal or ribbon request from an Active Army Soldier or USAR and/or ARNG Soldier should be submitted through channels to the servicing personnel officer. Supporting source documents (that is, assignment orders, TDY orders, pay documents, travel documents, affidavits, and so forth) should accompany the request. The burden of proof rests with the Soldier to provide adequate information on which to base a decision.
g. Campaigns or expeditions which are recognized by approval of service medals or ribbons that affect large numbers of Soldiers may be processed and approved by computer-generated lists and unit rosters. However, each Soldier must meet the announced criteria.
h. Approval authority for retroactive service medals and ribbons for Army retirees, former Army Soldiers, other personnel granted creditable U.S. Army service, and posthumous awards to the primary next of kin of the above personnel, is National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138–1002. Approval authority for Soldiers who retired or were discharged after 1 October 2002 is Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Awards and Decorations Branch (AHRC–PDP–A), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122–5408.
i. Formal awards ceremonies are not mandatory for presentation of service medals and ribbons. Ceremonies may be conducted at the discretion of the commander.
j. Individually submitted requests for approval of a service medal or ribbon will be processed under the rules and guidance prescribed above.

6–8. Service stars (campaign and/or battle stars)
a. Service stars are worn on campaign and service medals to denote participation in a named campaign (for example, SWASM) and on the service ribbons (for example the NDSM) to denote an additional award. A service star is a bronze or silver five-pointed star 3/16-inch in diameter. A silver service star is worn instead of five bronze service stars. The bronze service star is also affixed to the Parachutist Badge to denote participation in a combat parachutist jump, retroactive to 7 December 1941, and the Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge to denote participation in a combat military free-fall jump, retroactive to 1 October 1994. See paragraph 8–11 for criteria for award of the Parachutist Badge and paragraph 8–16 for the Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge (combat jump). See AR 670–1 for proper wear of the service stars.
b. Service stars are authorized for wear on the following campaign and service medals and/or ribbons: (1) World War I Victory Medal.
(2) ADSM.
(3) American Campaign Medal.
(4) Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
(5) European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. (6) POW Medal.
(7) NDSM.
(8) KSM.
(9) AFEM.
(10) VSM.
(11) SWASM.
(12) KCM.
(13) ACM.
(14) ICM.
(15) AFSM.
(16) HSM.
(17) MOVSM.
(18) ASDR.

Ruptured duck

6–17. Lapel buttons for service
b. Honorable Service Lapel Button (World War II Victory Medal). A button of gold-colored metal depicting an eagle perched within a ring composed of a chief and 13 vertical stripes. The button is 7/16-inch high and 5/8-inch wide. Eligibility requirements are honorable Federal military service between 8 September 1939 and 31 December 1946.

8–6. Combat Infantryman Badge
a. For award of the CIB a Soldier must meet the following three requirements:
(1) Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties.
(2) Assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat.
(3) Actively participate in such ground combat. Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the
CIB.
b. The specific eligibility criteria for the CIB require that:
(1) A Soldier must be an Army infantry or SF officer (SSI 11 or 18) in the grade of COL/O–6 or below, or an Army
enlisted Soldier or warrant officer with an infantry or SF MOS who, subsequent to 6 December 1941, has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger, or SF unit of either a brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat. Eligibility for SF personnel in MOSs 18B, 18C, 18E, 18F, and 18Z (less 18D–SF medical sergeant) accrues from 20 December 1989. Retroactive awards of the CIB to SF personnel are not authorized prior to 20 December 1989.
(2) A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or SF primary duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. The unit in question must be a brigade, regiment, or smaller size. For example, personnel possessing an infantry MOS in a rifle squad of a cavalry platoon in a cavalry troop would be eligible for award of the CIB. Battle or campaign participation credit alone is not sufficient; the unit must have been in active ground combat with the enemy during the period.

Processing
(2) Retroactive award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. Retroactive award of the CIB is authorized for time periods specified above for fully qualified individuals. The awards may be awarded by Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Awards and Decorations Branch (AHRC–PDP–A), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122–5408. Applications for retroactive award to active duty Soldiers and RC Soldiers will be forwarded through command channels to the first general officer (for endorsement) to HRC for processing. Retirees and veterans should a d d r e s s t h e i r a p p l i c a t i o n s t o N a t i o n a l P e r s o n n e l R e c o r d s C e n t e r ( N P RC ) , 1 A r c h i v e s D r i v e , S t . L o u i s , M O 63138–1002. All ARNG requests, once endorsed, will be submitted to the Director, (ARNG–HRH–A), 111 S. George Mason Drive, Arlington, VA 22204–1373 prior to being submitted to HRC. Such awards will not be made except where evidence of injustice is presented.

LTC Jason Mackay I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond, I have been attending briefs all day. That's is a lot of information. I am sending the information over right now. I was told they may have a picture of him in uniform, if so I may be able to identify some of the awards. The local museum said they may be able to offer a uniform to borrow. I will submit a request find out. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I greatly appreciate your help and I know that he will as well.

The 102d ID timeline (assuming he deployed with the Division) according to the CMH:
Activated 15 September 1942
Arrived ETO 22 September 1944 (Arrived United Kingdom but did not disembark)
Arrived Continent 23 September 1944 (D+109)
Entered Combat 26 October 1944
Days in Combat 173

Two Campaigns: Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns

The 102d Infantry Division arrived at Cherbourg, France, 23 September 1944, and, after a short period of training near Valognes, moved to the German-Netherlands border. On 26 October, elements attached to other divisions entered combat and on 3 November the Division assumed responsibility for the sector from the Wurm River to Waurichen. A realinement of sectors and the return of elements placed the 102d in full control of its units for the first time, 24 November 1944, as it prepared for an attack to the Roer. The attack jumped off, 29 November, and carried the Division to the river through Welz, Flossdorf, and Linnich. After a period of aggressive patrolling along the Roer, 4-19 December, the Division took over the XIII Corps sector from the Wurm River, north of the village of Wurm, to Barmen on the south, and trained for river crossing. On 23 February 1945, the 102d attacked across the Roer, advanced toward Lovenich, bypassed Munchen-Gladbach, took Krefeld, 3 March, and reached the Rhine. During March the Division was on the defensive along the Rhine, its sector extending from Homburg south to Dusseldorf. Crossing the river in April, the Division attacked in the Wesergebirge, meeting stiff opposition. Wilsede and Hessisch-Oldendorf fell, 12 April 1945, and the 102d pushed on to the Elbe, meeting little resistance. Breitenfeld fell, 15 April, and the Division outposted the Elbe River, 48 miles from Berlin, its advance halted on orders. It patrolled and maintained defensive positions until the end of hostilities in Europe, then moved to Gotha for occupational duty.

SPC (Join to see) I have posted excerpts from AR600-8-22 as to decorations he MAY have been awarded or eligible for. I also posted the DoD Valor website in case he may have been awarded the MoH, DSC, or SS, he will appear by name. I posted portions of the Division history. Depending on when he joined the Division, he'd be involved in the two campaigns I cited (two campaign stars of the campaign medal). He'd like also be eligible for two overseas service bars (6 months in combat theater). It appears the Division Was on occupation duty, so if he stayed in theater, he'd be eligible for the Army of Occupation Medal. The Division came ashore on D+109, so no arrowhead on the campaign medal, unless it was awarded for the Roer River crossing, but you can't go 50 miles in Europe without have to cross a river....one of Ike's frustrations, that and Amphibious operations. All risk...

SFC (Join to see) not so much. Before January 1, 1950, several similar forms were used by the military services, including the WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD and the NAVCG 553. Not quite the same.

https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/dd-214

Good to know, sir. Thanks for the info.

SFC (Join to see) - I think part of the reason they moved to the DD214 so there was one thing for employers to look at. One consolidated document that told the tale. I also believe it was part of the fledgling Department of Defense (created by the National Security Act of 1947) to exert some control. Purely a guess.

Thank you. I will try to contact them tomorrow and hopefully speak with the veteran to see if I can get a request sent to him so that he can sign it.

SPC (Join to see) Take the matter into your caring hands, make it happen for the gent. Filling in the “right” places on forms is difficult for we aged ones!

I am honestly very nervous. I lack a lot of information for this era, but I really want him to properly honored. This community is a fantastic resource. As soon as I was asked to do this I turned here knowing that this group of veterans would point me in the right direction. I greatly appreciate all of the information from here and I am very excited to see this through for this soldier.