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| 1945 Carl with "German totem pole" |
I have now other mysteries which will take research, letters to the US Army records center and crossed fingers. I am assembling Carls ribbons from his military service and I find that he received a Distinguished Service medal, something not commonly awarded.
Looking over his honorable discharge I see that he also had a bronze star, which is an " individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations. "
These would all make suitables for Sepia Saturday to which I have not posted, but suppose I should share these there. So click on the title to this post to get to the Sepia site, lots of interesting tidbits there from others world wide and across the sea...
This is the sort of story that must not be lost. We all should be interested in what happened in those war years.
ReplyDeleteI do believe Carl would be very honored for sure! This totem pole is quite a find, and it does make you wonder is it still there, how did it actually become ....and surely you have quite an interesting piece of history right there in one simple photo. What a great story about your uncle, so lucky he did keep track of things, and left so many clues to follow! Lucky you! Thanks for sharing this !
ReplyDeleteI really think the large star was either an in house award that may have passed from man to man for something, even some kind of foolishness. If it had been a formal award of any kind, surely an officer would have awarded the medal and it wouldn't have been awarded in such an informal setting. A star like that might even have been a joke commemorating a stint at 'kitchen police,' military term for assignment to help in the kitchen. KP used to also be a military assignment used for minor corrections, say returning late from leave or having too much to drink etc. Could also have been recognition from his peers for policing (cleaning up) the barracks, parade ground or equipment. Perhaps even a bit of fun, recognizing that he had been named to receive a medal or had been awarded one. I just can't believe it is a serious award given the outlandish size and the physical setting. We 'brutal prison guards' used to do similar things, awarding gag gifts for either exceptional performance or teasing after someone messed up some way. But, never if it was a serious blunder worthy of disciplinary action. Tom
ReplyDeleteI understand that the Distinguished Service medal was not awarded to enlisted men, Carl was enlisted achieving the sergeant rank quickly. Today I am making a Kinko's trip to have them scan the large 809th battallion photo for Rob's site. In digging through documents, I have found an outstanding folder of sketches, will share those here later.
ReplyDeleteThere is also the possibility that his comrades had knowledge that he had been recommended or even awarded the bronze star and in lieu of arrival of the actual medal they were awarding a temporary one. That kind of cameradie always exists among a group of men in occupations such as military, police even "brutal" prison guards. Not so much in the more mundane occupations, where relationships are more one on one rather than esprit de corps.. Tom
ReplyDeleteMy father used to wear all his ribbons on his uniform. When, as a kid, I'd ask what they were for, he'd say he got them for Tootsie Roll wrappers. That has stuck with me. I see the ribbons and go, "Ahhh, Tootsie Roll wrappers." My dad has never been one to boast about anything he did in his 20+ years as a Naval aviator.
ReplyDeleteI like Uncle Carl's "Tootsie Roll" wrapper award.
What you're doing with his story is a nice way to honor him.
Two really interesting photos Pat, and the comments by Tom and others are well worth reading. I do hope you find the answers to some of those mysteries.
ReplyDeleteThe statue is quite large because Uncle Carl was 6 ft 2 inches tall....he looks miniature next to it
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ReplyDeleteThe Army Museums Ogilby Trust is the only national organisation that represents, supports and promotes the regimental and corps museums of the British Army. As an independent private charity it relies entirely on its own resources and the generosity of others to fund its work. For more details visit Our Website website.