Things I've just learned...

[WaxNWane]

...about my maternal grandfather.

He joined the Marines in August of 1942. I've got a picture of him from that month. He left high school to enlist in the Marines. He was a few weeks before his 18th birthday when he enlisted.

He sailed from San Diego, to Pearl Harbor, to Midway, and finally to Guadalcanal in September of 1943. In 1944 he sailed to Bougainville in the Solomons. Crossed the equator August 3, 1943.

He was honorably discharged with one letter of commendation in October of 1945, and was being paid a little over $69 per month at the time.

He got high marks on his Professional and Conduct record all along the way. He was 70 & 1/2 inches tall and 145 pounds upon enlisting.

He died when I was 13; 18 years ago now. I never got the chance to ask him about his military service, but now I know a little bit.

A polite thank you to the National Personnel Records Center (and my parents for forwarding me copies).

 

[KillerMuffin]

You'll find that a lot of the old units have groups on the web where they meet. If you have the name of his unit or the ship he was on, you can connect with some of the people he served with or their children. You may be able to find out more about what it was like, on a personal level.

 

[Problem Child]

It's cool that you finally learned that stuff.

The greatest generation is rapidly leaving us. That's a shame.

 

[Guest]

70 & 1/2

This got to be the biggest dick on Lit. Bigger than Dillinger's.

 

[Shiner]

I never got to meet either of my grandfathers and both served in the first world war, one (maternal GF) was a gunner with an artillery section and the other was a sniper who served someplace near Turkey I think.

 

[Problem Child]

Re: Re: Things I've just learned...

This got to be the biggest dick on Lit. Bigger than Dillinger's.

You're stupid. Have I reminded you of that lately?

 

[Guest]

No, siniora. Mui bien. Chao.

 

[kotori]

my dad joined the navy in january of '43, did basic in samson, n.y. (next to fort drum), then radio aviation school in memphis, tn. assigned to a crash tender in fort lauderdale--on days off, they'd take to boat to bimini.

he was in tokyo during the early days of the occupation, and loved it 'cause he was the tallest guy on the subway.

never saw action, he learned to type in the navy and take morse code, and tell great stories. died in november '93.

 

[WaxNWane]

You'll find that a lot of the old units have groups on the web where they meet. If you have the name of his unit or the ship he was on, you can connect with some of the people he served with or their children. You may be able to find out more about what it was like, on a personal level.

Hadn't thought of that. I'll have to do some digging, my mom would probably really be into this.

Thanks.

 

[Nora]

I think that's super neat, W&W. It's nice to have a history (and the records thereof) of which you can be so proud. =)

 

[WaxNWane]

I think that's super neat, W&W. It's nice to have a history (and the records thereof) of which you can be so proud. =)

Danka.

Quite a cool read...get to see his travels, his handwriting, his evaluations.

The URL on the documents is out-of-date, but it redirects here:
http://www.archives.gov


The drop-down at the top right takes you to all the research & contact info. Think this is the one where the military records can be found:
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/veterans_service_records.html

 

[red_rose]

Stalks W&W.

I did something similar with my grandfather's past (he was in WWII) a few years back. It's amazing what you can find out by poking around a bit. There is just so much we never learn. Asking about my grandfather a few years ago landed me with access to a box full of memorabilia... his bronze and silver stars... newspaper clippings... etc.

 

[Nora]

I don't have any family who've served, but I'll live vicariously through yours. *grin*