# Making Sense of US Army WW2 discharge records/service records **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 7, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910 "2015-06-07T17:48:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChrisCash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@ChrisCash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCash)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/1 "2015-06-07T17:48:51Z")
I was reading over my late grandfather’s service records/discharge papers and had some questions about what some of the things on his records means. Can someone with some military knowledge please help explain them. It says he earned a Combat Infantryman’s Badge Nov 4th 1944 in the Rhineland Campaign GO 105 WD 45. Does anyone know what it took to earn one of these badges, and what the Rhineland Campaign entailed? Perhaps what battles were fought in this campaign. He was in the US Army 1st Infantry Division, 18th Infantry Regiment when he earned this badge. Other decorations and citations listed were American Theater Campaign Ribbon EAME Campaign Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star Good Conduct Medal Victory Ribbon 1 Overseas Service Bar Does anyone know anything about these medals? Thank You ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/2 "2015-06-07T18:06:39Z")
> [@ChrisCash](#): > > I was reading over my late grandfather’s service records/discharge papers and had some questions about what some of the things on his records means. Can someone with some military knowledge please help explain them. > > It says he earned a Combat Infantryman’s Badge Nov 4th 1944 in the Rhineland Campaign GO 105 WD 45. Does anyone know what it took to earn one of these badges, and what the Rhineland Campaign entailed? Perhaps what battles were fought in this campaign. He was in the US Army 1st Infantry Division, 18th Infantry Regiment when he earned this badge. > > Other decorations and citations listed were > > American Theater Campaign Ribbon > > EAME Campaign Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star > > Good Conduct Medal > > Victory Ribbon > > 1 Overseas Service Bar > > Does anyone know anything about these medals? > > Thank You These are easily found with a Google search, but: Combat Infantry: awarded to those who actually fought on the ground in the infantry or special forces. Theater campaign ribbons are awarded just for being there, whether one fights or not. Campaign length depends on the war. Good Conduct: awarded every 4 years in the Navy, 3 years in the Army, for not getting caught doing the shit most servicemen do. Victory Ribbon (later made a medal): Awarded to any service member, living or dead, who served during WWII, whether or not they ever saw action. Overseas Service Bar: six months in a combat zone ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/3 "2015-06-07T19:07:28Z")
Here is a good starting point for information on the Rhineland Campaign. It appears your grandfather would have been at or near the city of city of Aachen. I wonder if November 4th is the date the orders were issued and not the date he actually earned the badge. That would make more sense. That means he most likely fought in the Battle of Aachen from 2-21 October 1944. It makes sense that after the city was surrendered, the brief calm in the fighting would allow the headquarters element to catch up on some paperwork. Also, it is important to recognize the fact that your grandfather earned a Bronze Star Medal as well. In 1947, a policy was implemented that retroactively awarded the Bronze Star to anyone who earned a Combat Infantry Badge. So, if you ever put together a shadowbox or display to honor your late grandfather, include the Bronze Star as well. If you can’t get a hold of one, I will mail one to you. He earned it! ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/4 "2015-06-07T19:19:59Z")
[http://www.paperless.eucmh.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/2014/11/Aachen-45.jpg](http://www.paperless.eucmh.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/2014/11/Aachen-45.jpg) A picture of 1st ID, 18th Regiment in Aachen, October 8th 1944. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/5 "2015-06-07T19:30:26Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Here is a good starting point for information on the Rhineland Campaign. It appears your grandfather would have been at or near the city of city of Aachen. I wonder if November 4th is the date the orders were issued and not the date he actually earned the badge. That would make more sense. That means he most likely fought in the Battle of Aachen from 2-21 October 1944. It makes sense that after the city was surrendered, the brief calm in the fighting would allow the headquarters element to catch up on some paperwork. Based on what I read, the 18th Infantry Regiment was the northern claw of the pincer that closed around Aachen. From [the US Army’s history website](http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/rhineland/rhineland.htm): > [@](#): > > The 1st Division’s 18th Infantry, under the command of Col. George A. Smith, Jr., had the mission of sweeping to the north of Aachen to link up with the 30th Division and close the trap around the city. In the 18th Infantry’s way loomed Crucifix Hill, a pillbox-studded position key to the defense of Aachen. When Capt. Bobbie E. Brown’s Company C attempted to take the hill, it was quickly pinned down by heavy enemy small arms and artillery fire. Realizing that only the destruction of the German pillboxes would stop the slaughter of his company, Brown grabbed a pole charge and rushed the German bunkers, successively destroying three pillboxes by shoving explosives into their firing slits. Although wounded, he then led his company in throwing back two determined enemy counterattacks, refusing evacuation until convinced that his company’s position on the hill was secure. For his actions, Brown received the Medal of Honor. From what I gather, the CIB was awarded after some minimum amount of time spent in combat, so it’s possible that like **Bear Nenno** says, your grandfather may have hit that time limit earlier, but the paperwork didn’t actually catch up until November. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/6 "2015-06-07T19:47:19Z")
> [@bump](#): > > From [the US Army’s history website](http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/rhineland/rhineland.htm) Thanks for including that link. I meant to add it to my post where I said “Here is a good starting point”. Ooops. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@ChrisCash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCash)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/7 "2015-06-07T20:16:29Z")
Hey, Thank you for all the information so far. Wow my grandfather I suppose never knew he was owed a medal. How would I apply for that medal he died in 2010, but I have all this records. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/8 "2015-06-08T01:02:55Z")
In my day, for a CIB, one had to serve 30 days or more in a front line unit that was engaged with the enemy. You could get one for less than 30 day’s service if you got a Purple Heart in that time. And I imagine you could get the CIB with less then 30 day’s service with a posthumous Purple Heart. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/9 "2015-06-08T01:16:34Z")
> [@ChrisCash](#): > > Hey, Thank you for all the information so far. Wow my grandfather I suppose never knew he was owed a medal. How would I apply for that medal he died in 2010, but I have all this records. From AR 600-8-22 3-15d(2) “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 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 Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge is considered as a citation in orders. Documents executed since 4 August 1944 in connection with recommendations for the award of decorations of higher degree than the Bronze Star Medal 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, NPRMA-M, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. **Soldiers who retired or were discharged after to 1 October 2002 and the next of kin of Soldiers who died after 1 October 2002 should send their letter application to the Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, AHRC-CC-B, 1 Reserve Way, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200. The letter application should include documentary evidence, if possible.** ” ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/10 "2015-06-08T01:20:49Z")
You may also wish to try this phone number and email. Veterans Support Branch: Ms. Tatum, (314) 592-0555, email: Elizabeth.Tatum@arpstl.army.mil. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/11 "2015-06-08T01:28:10Z")
Actually, this email may be better. ahrc-cc-b-dd214@hrcstl.army.mil ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/12 "2015-06-08T01:29:36Z")
I read a lot about WWII, literally thousands of books since I was a kid. From what I’ve read the Combat Infantry Badge is one of the most prized badges among the troops. It shows that you were in combat and I recall several vets mention that they were more proud of that badge than anything else they were awarded. It does that they were part of the “brotherhood”. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/13 "2015-06-08T03:28:53Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > I read a lot about WWII, literally thousands of books since I was a kid. From what I’ve read the Combat Infantry Badge is one of the most prized badges among the troops. It shows that you were in combat and I recall several vets mention that they were more proud of that badge than anything else they were awarded. It does that they were part of the “brotherhood”. The equivalent for the Navy/Marines is the Combat Action Medal/Ribbon. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@ChrisCash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCash)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/14 "2015-06-08T14:56:46Z")
I’m not sure if anyone on here know’s the answer to this question but i’ll ask anyway. I’m obviously looking to get a bronze star medal awarded to my grandfather posthumously, and I believe I have all the proper documentation and paperwork for that. My other question involves getting his medals replaced by the army. He is missing quite a few of them, and I believe the army will replace them for free. Now on the website to request them it says you must submit a request for each branch that the veteran served in. My grandfather was in the army, then sent to the army air corps, which finally became the army air forces. If i’m looking to get his medals replaced do I have to send three separate requests for every branch he served in? ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/15 "2015-06-08T17:48:51Z")
Neither the Army Air Corps nor the Army Air Force exists anymore. Your grandpa was in the Army. Unless he was in the Army Air Force when it split to become its own branch of the military in September '47. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@ChrisCash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCash)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/16 "2015-06-08T18:27:22Z")
I know those branches no longer exist now, but on the online form to fill out for medal replacement. Army, Army Air Corps, And Army Air Forces are all on there. My grandfather served in all three of them. So I’m just wondering If I Have to submit three different applications to get his medals replaced. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/17 "2015-06-08T20:02:36Z")
> [@ChrisCash](#): > > I know those branches no longer exist now, but on the online form to fill out for medal replacement. Army, Army Air Corps, And Army Air Forces are all on there. My grandfather served in all three of them. So I’m just wondering If I Have to submit three different applications to get his medals replaced. Well, the AAC became the AAF, which was still all part of the Army at the time, so I suspect one place would work… that is, unless somehow your grandfather was still in the AAF when it became the USAF in 1947 and was subsequently decorated (say Korea), in which case the Korean War decorations would be through the AF, and the WWII ones would be through the Army. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@ChrisCash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCash)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/18 "2015-06-08T20:12:13Z")
So essentially all medals pre 1947 earned in either the air corps or the army air forces would be handled by the army ? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/19 "2015-06-10T19:18:20Z")
Pretty sure. The USAF didn’t exist until 1947, so until then, the AAC/AAF people were part of the Army. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-sense-of-us-army-ww2-discharge-records-service-records/721910/20 "2015-06-11T14:13:54Z")
> [@ChrisCash](#): > > I’m not sure if anyone on here know’s the answer to this question but i’ll ask anyway. I’m obviously looking to get a bronze star medal awarded to my grandfather posthumously, and I believe I have all the proper documentation and paperwork for that. My other question involves getting his medals replaced by the army. He is missing quite a few of them, and I believe the army will replace them for free. Now on the website to request them it says you must submit a request for each branch that the veteran served in. My grandfather was in the army, then sent to the army air corps, which finally became the army air forces. If i’m looking to get his medals **replaced** do I have to send three separate requests for every branch he served in? (bolding mine) Replaced? May I assume you mean replacing medals that have become damaged or lost over the years? I don’t think the Army does that. (I know the Navy doesn’t.) You buy your own replacement medals, out of your own pocket. Commercial vendors sell medals to anyone, no paperwork needed (except maybe for the Medal of Honor…). I don’t know how hard it would be to find the older WW2 versions of the medals. For example, my first Google hit on a search for a vendor: [http://www.medalsofamerica.com/](http://www.medalsofamerica.com/) The “requests” you quoted appear to be speaking about getting your Grandfathers **service records** updated to show the awards he qualified for, but weren’t entered into his records. If I misread the intent of your question, I apologize. Also, just to clear up any possible confusion, the “bronze star” mentioned alongside the EAME Campaign Ribbon is for multiple awards of that same (EAME) ribbon. [European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_Medal) I do not think it is referring to the Bronze Star Medal ( [Bronze Star Medal - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Star_Medal) ), which would have it’s own line entry. It wouldn’t be listed alongside a campaign ribbon like the way you put it in the OP.