M14 Forum

smeagolcheese · May 21st, 2007, 07:37 AM

My grandpa is getting closer to the end of his life. He's been finally telling alot of stories from his days in France during WWII. To make a long story short, his unit was pinned down by a couple of machine guns and a morter. He and a buddy took out the two machine gun nests and were on their way to get the morter when it got them. He got a Purple Heart, and has spent the rest of his life with shrapnell in his face and hand. I was just wondering if there's any way to get the event looked in to and maybe a silver or bronze star? I'm not sure why his CO didn't get him one fifty years ago...probably very busy all the fighting going on, but I'd like to see him recognized before the end of his days.

tankerfrank · May 21st, 2007, 10:13 AM

HI THERE

I am not good at writing, but your best bet is to call your U.S consman and tell him the story, I think this is the best way,

one more way would be to call the american legion, specil if he is a member of a post, the post commder can get this done too..

we got all are WWII THE silver star, if he had a combat inf bade, he get's the silver star!!! the us pass the law a few years back,, all WWII GUY with combat INF bade get one

sorry for the bad spell and greamer

yea I am the big guy at left side of the photo,,

smeagolcheese · May 21st, 2007, 12:56 PM

He's never asked for any recognition, just doin his job. But I think deep down he'd like to know that he made a difference. Thanks, I appreciate the input.

9th · May 21st, 2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

But I think deep down he'd like to know that he made a difference.

I'll bet he already knows that sir.

tankerfrank · May 21st, 2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The 9th Engineer

I'll bet he already knows that sir.

as I think all of us who put the umfiorm on did and for them to come,,

Sgt Maj · May 25th, 2007, 07:09 AM

Veterans of World War II who were awarded the
Combat Infantry Badge or Combat Medic Badge are entitled to receive the Bronze Star Medal.
The awarding of the Bronze Star Medal was authorized in 1947 to honor the accomplishments of infantrymen and medics who endured the greatest hardships.
By Executive Order 9419 dated 4 February 1944,
President Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal retroactive to 7 December 1941. The Executive Order was amended by President Kennedy, per Executive Order 11046 dated 24 August 1962, to expand the authorization to include
those serving with friendly forces.
As a result of a study conducted in 1947, the policy was implemented that authorized the retroactive award of the Bronze Star Medal to soldiers who had received the Combat Infantryman.

If any problems contact the local VFW or DAV, AL, etc..
Cannot post a URL so do a Yahoo search for "Bronze Star WWII veterans"

tankerfrank · May 26th, 2007, 09:29 PM

SGT MAJOR
Is right it was the Bronze Star Medal. not silver star. sorry
hell I AM A TANKER

Ohio47Woodsman · May 27th, 2007, 06:56 PM

all good posts, men.

a lot of us want to recognize our dads, uncles, and brothers all part of "THE GREATEST GENERATION" without which east coasters today would probably be speaking Nazi under a gauliter and west coasters would be speaking Imperial Nipponese under the Co-prosperity Sphere.

thanks for the info to get awards well-earned long ago.

smeagolcheese · May 31st, 2007, 02:51 PM

Getting a little run around. Been trying to find a contact at the VFW (even called their national number) or the American Legion but have had no success other than info to access my grandfather's records. Which I already have his original copies of.

Bill Ricca · May 31st, 2007, 09:25 PM

I think it would be the Bronze Star for meritorious service. To get the Bronze Star with a "V" device, for valor, I am pretty sure you will need witnesses. See if any of the participants are still alive.

If there are no witness, sometimes you can find "After Action Reports". Usually these reports cover unit actions, but you may find some reference to certain actions by members of the units. Good Luck.

Voodoo · May 31st, 2007, 10:02 PM

According to AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards) , paragraph 3-14(d) (2) :

Quote:

Award may be made to each member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 6 December 1941, has been cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against and 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 Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge is considered as a citation in orders.

Submit the letter application here:

National Personnel Records Center
ATTN: NPRMA-M
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

I'd say he's good at least for the Bronze Star. It's right there in black and white in U.S. Army Regulations.

It's the least we can do to say thank you.

chalk69th · August 19th, 2007, 09:44 PM

My Grandad fought the Moros and the Kaiser. My father fought the Japs. I wonder what they'd be qualified for now ?
In 05 I completed a tour in the "B-Diddy" maybe I can get a BSM like all the "Field Grade" guys did ? You have to have a sense of humor when it comes to the awarding of medals. If a guy is "Rabbinically Hung"he'll get something. If you do 100's of "outside-the-wire" missions you get zero !

tpaww · September 7th, 2007, 07:07 PM

"Buddy letters" from those who wittnessed the heroic action.
If the circumstances are such that all the facts of the event are collective, letters from follow soldiers are strong evidence. I've done it myself.

dprice3844444 · October 7th, 2011, 02:55 PM

http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...nators_cfm.cfm

start here