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Help with uniform identification

Posted on 01/26/2015 5:34:12 PM PST by budda1954

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1 posted on 01/26/2015 5:34:12 PM PST by budda1954
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To: budda1954

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/


2 posted on 01/26/2015 5:37:30 PM PST by cll (Serviam!)
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To: budda1954

The code most likely represents the first letter of his last name followed by the last four digits of his service number. Post oe send me a picture...if I don’t know I can find out.


3 posted on 01/26/2015 5:38:50 PM PST by O6ret
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To: budda1954
F-2817

Just a wild guess here, but did his last name begin with an "F", and were the last four digits of his SSN "2817"?
4 posted on 01/26/2015 5:38:57 PM PST by struwwelpeter (I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. - Psalm 4:8)
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To: budda1954
This is interesting too.

http://6tharmoreddivision.com/

They have a database search.

5 posted on 01/26/2015 5:39:49 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (When the hell do I get MY white privilege? I'm tired of busting my @$$ for a living.)
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To: cll

Correct guidance.
Go here first.

From there you can follow up with alumni groups, museums, etc


6 posted on 01/26/2015 5:40:25 PM PST by BlueNgold (Have we crossed the line from Govt. in righteous fear of the People - to a People in fear of Govt??)
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To: budda1954

From my Army days, that is most likely a laundry mark. The F being the first initial of the soldier’s last name and the last 4 digits of his Army serial number.

a good book to help you with your search is “Finding Your Father’s War” by Jonathan Gawne. http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Fathers-War-Understanding/dp/1932033149

If you have your relative’s name and hopefully birth place as a minimum you can go to the National Archives website: www.archives.gov And from there go to http://www.archives.gov/veterans/ and you can put in a request for his personnel file; please note that nearly 80% of ww2 files were destroyed in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO; however many records were partially reconstructed.


7 posted on 01/26/2015 5:42:22 PM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: budda1954

Praises Be ... Another Family ... one may Honor!


8 posted on 01/26/2015 5:43:05 PM PST by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
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To: budda1954

Thank you for becoming physical ...


9 posted on 01/26/2015 5:47:03 PM PST by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
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To: budda1954

Sometimes it takes a little time to read between the lines ... What Conservative hasn’t felt the heartache and pain? Where do these leaders show me?


10 posted on 01/26/2015 5:56:14 PM PST by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
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To: budda1954; cll; O6ret; struwwelpeter; FlingWingFlyer; BlueNgold; GreyFriar; no-to-illegals
I have nothing to add to this post, other than to say.

Freepers are Awesome !!!

11 posted on 01/26/2015 5:56:33 PM PST by Zeneta (Thoughts in time and out of season.)
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To: budda1954

12 posted on 01/26/2015 6:27:40 PM PST by PROCON (Always give 100%---unless you're donating blood.)
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To: budda1954
Super Sixth: The story of Patton's 6th Armored Division in WW II
13 posted on 01/26/2015 6:29:24 PM PST by PROCON (Always give 100%---unless you're donating blood.)
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To: budda1954

That’s probably the first letter of his last name and last four digits of his social security number.


14 posted on 01/26/2015 6:31:14 PM PST by 00Z0582957
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To: GreyFriar
nearly 80% of ww2 files were destroyed in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center

Which is very sad. I am able to get most of my four great-grandfather's Civil War records but not my Father's WWII records.

15 posted on 01/26/2015 6:38:01 PM PST by Inyo-Mono (Just say to NO Rhinos in 2016.)
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To: Inyo-Mono

Yes. The Civil War records, both unit and personnel, are at the main Archives building on the Mall in the center of Washington DC. And at various state archives.


16 posted on 01/26/2015 6:46:40 PM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: Inyo-Mono

Here is NARA’s account of the fire:

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html

What is not mentioned are the allegations of it either being deliberately set by a disgruntled employee, or accidental from a cigarette that was left on a shelf or ashtray and never properly put out.


17 posted on 01/26/2015 6:51:13 PM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: budda1954
Probably a laundry mark.

It is possible that it was the last four numbers of his US or RA serial number, as opposed to his SSAN.

I entered AD in June of '69 and was issued a RA #****4823.

It was used exclusively for a few months, until such time as the SSAN replaced the RA/US/NG/AUS numbers. Prior to that, the SSAN, while a part of your records, was not used as an identifying number for DOD purposes. I do not think it was put on dog tags until about mid-'70's

So, remember that when searching data bases...the number may not match his SSAN, but could match his Service Number (SN).

I still have a pair of OG trousers with the first letter of my last name and the last four numbers of my RA number, stamped onto the small flap that covers the seam at the back of the trousers.

In fact, they're stiff as a board from the starching they received, which common in those days.

Probably dates back to about mid-1970.

Good luck with the search.

18 posted on 01/26/2015 6:58:17 PM PST by OldSmaj (obama is a worthless mohametan. Impeach his ass now!)
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To: Inyo-Mono

it shall not be the barren Barracuda, my promise.


19 posted on 01/26/2015 7:03:16 PM PST by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
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To: OldSmaj
I entered AD in June of '69 and was issued a RA #****4823.

It was used exclusively for a few months, until such time as the SSAN replaced the RA/US/NG/AUS numbers.

I went RA on June 30, 1969 and was given an RA number.

Next day, July 1, 1969, DOD went to the SSN as you said.

Funny thing, as much as they drilled into us, "always remember your service number!", I still remember my RA number 40+ years later :-)

20 posted on 01/26/2015 7:18:55 PM PST by PROCON (Always give 100%---unless you're donating blood.)
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