acolvin
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Father's war record
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01/01/2008 08:34:24 PM
Greetings: I'm a Houston undergraduate pursuing my BA/History and in my spare time work on a family history project. I've been reviewing my father's WWII miltary records and have composed the following draft based on them: Alexander’s service as a Private in the U.S. Army Air Force began 5 May 1944 at his enlistment at Ft. Meade, Maryland. His basic training consisted of 5 months at Basic Training Camp # 10, in Greensboro, N.C. (Re-named Eastern Overseas Replacement Depot in 1944,) and an additional 8 months as a munitions worker as a member of the 98th Bombardment Group at the Armorer's School in Ft. Riley, Kansas where he was schooled in the care of all light arms up to and including .50 caliber machine guns. Thereafter, he was trained as a light truck driver to include maintenance up to and including 2 ½ ton trucks. My father died in 1980, and I've been unsucessful in finding period photos of any of these facilities; this forum appears to be one of the few resources with detailed knowlege of these facilities and positions. As tempted as I am to interpret the above, I'm sure I would misinterpret it. I would appreaciate any insights or references to data available. Digitized images of Sep record here: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/2054344827_bef810aa36_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2054344343_afc7f3a5bf_b.jpg Gratefully, Alex C. acolvin.geo@yahoo.com acolvin07@lycos.com
<message edited by acolvin on 01/03/2008 02:15:19 AM >
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daveproc26
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RE: Father's war record
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01/01/2008 09:53:04 PM
Alex, I would recommend posting as much info as you can on your dad. The folks on this site are good and get better with every piece of information you give. You should post the following:
Your fathers full name.
Date of birth.
Where was he from?
Sevice #.
What unit he was with when he was discharged.
Did he go overseas? Where ?
Any other info you can think of.
That should help get the ball rolling. Dave
<message edited by daveproc26 on 01/01/2008 09:54:06 PM >
David Procaccini Grandson of Sgt. Louis Procaccini 38th ADG Repair Squadron North Africa-Italy-France Achivist, Quonset Air Museum Historian 38th Depot Repair Sqdn
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bioteror
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RE: Father's war record
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01/02/2008 12:38:54 AM
Is this him??
COLVIN, ALEXANDER J.
ASN: 33887364
resident of NORTH CAROLINA, GUILFORD
enlisted at FT GEORGE G MEADE MARYLAND on May 5, 1944, as Private
born in 1920
Peter Kassak pkassak(AT)yahoo.com
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acolvin
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RE: Father's war record
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01/02/2008 01:07:48 AM
Re: 33887364 Yes. Per daveproc26's request: Your fathers full name. Alexander James Colvin Date of birth. 1 June 1920, Richmond, VA
Where was he from? He was a resident of Washington, D.C. when he enlisted. Sevice #. 33887364
What unit he was with when he was discharged. "Regiment, arm, or service" section of his Medical Records indicates only "AC" [?]
Did he go overseas? I don't believe so; his records don't indicate such. Other: Disharged honerably on 2 April 1946, Ft. Devens, Massachusetts.
Medals: American Theater Campaign Ribbon Victory medal, an American Campaign medal, A marksman badge with carbine and rifle bars, and an honorable service lapel button. (all of which I've had replaced.)
Sources: Separation Qualification Record of Alexander Colvin dated 2 April 1946 Report of Phtsical Examination of Enlisted Personel prior to Discharge, Active Duty, or retiremnt, dated 31 March 1946. Many thanks. A. Colvin, Jr. acolvin.geo@yahoo.com acolvin07@lycos.com
<message edited by acolvin on 01/02/2008 01:43:52 AM >
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bioteror
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RE: Father's war record
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01/02/2008 01:13:17 AM
To get his record try to write to NARA: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001 Telephone: 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272 and as for box 0721, film reel 1.238 where his file should be located also you may try National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 Contact Information Telephone: 314-801-0800 E-mail: MPR.center@nara.gov
Peter Kassak pkassak(AT)yahoo.com
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acolvin
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RE: Father's war record
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01/02/2008 05:27:31 AM
bioteror: You mean well, I'm sure, but I already have his records. I'm looking for additional info which might shed light on what's already there. For example, what was a "munitions worker?" An aircraft mechanic? Or someone who just help load munitions? You see? And what munitions are we talking about? Was he helping, for example, to load B-24's? I am seeking to flush out what the records say in addition to period images of the facilities named in the records. See first post and responce to daveproc26 for clarification. Many thanks to you and all, in advance. A. Colvin, Jr. acolvin.geo@yahoo.com acolvin07@lycos.com
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Terry T.
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RE: Father's war record
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01/02/2008 11:31:02 AM
Acolvin:
Based on the timeline you have for your father's enlistment date, bootcamp, & schools he attended, the war was over by the time he graduated. What he date on his Honorbale Discharge certificate say, sometimes that date is actaully later than the seperation date.
Terry T.
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acolvin
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RE: Father's war record
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01/02/2008 04:18:55 PM
Terry:
The only docs I have are the seperation reports and his medical, so the h. discharge date I have is the one I listed. Your point about the war being over prior to his gradaution jives with what little I know. Interesting.
A. Colvin, Jr.
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Herb Harper
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RE: Father's war record
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01/02/2008 06:16:39 PM
ORIGINAL: acolvin
bioteror:
You mean well, I'm sure, but I already have his records. I'm looking for additional info which might shed light on what's already there. For example, what was a "munitions worker?" An aircraft mechanic? Or someone who just help load munitions? You see? And what munitions are we talking about? Was he helping, for example, to load B-24's? I am seeking to flush out what the records say in addition to period images of the facilities named in the records. See first post and responce to daveproc26 for clarification. Many thanks to you and all, in advance.
A. Colvin, Jr.
acolvin.geo@yahoo.com
acolvin07@lycos.com
Have a look further at his records. NOTE his "MOS" (military Ocupational Speciality)
MOS # 505 was Munitions Specialist and qualified the individual in the following fields.
MOS #511= small arms repairman. Pretty self explainatory: He would repair and maintain basic hand and shoulder weapons.
MOS #901 Ammunition supply technician; Worked in ammunition storage facilities ( Bomb DUMP) maintained munitions in servicable condition, including delivery to the aircraft but NOT loading on aircraft. In cases of personnel shortages, I have known them to be utilized in loading. However this was rare.
MOS #903 Munitions Disposal Technician: usually disposed of unserviceable explosive devices including rusted or damaged small arms and automatic weapons ammunitions. they would be called to a crash site to make safe or destroy any unexploded bombs or ammunitions.
MOS #911 Airplane Armorer: This individual would maintain the armament systems such as bomb racks, gunnery and rocket/ missile systems on the aircraft. He would also load, fuse and arm the bombs.
I had a MOS 505V which qualified me in all the above. Mainly my MOS was 911, until the AIR FORCE converted to the AFSC designations. However I had occasion to work in the other munitions and weapons repair fields during my 22 years of active duty.
Herb Harper, Former Historian 98th Vets. Assoc. WEB www.pyramidiers.com
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acolvin
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RE: Father's war record
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01/03/2008 02:12:45 AM
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