Well, I have wonderful news this time. I found Uncle Russ's separation papers!!! They were on file at the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida, which is where he lived. I almost cried when we found them. It was an unbelievable feeling. After all the questioning and the searching (A big thank you goes out to those of you who helped me search - you know who you are!), those papers were right there in the courthouse the entire time!
The most important information I wanted and got from these papers is that Uncle Russ served in Company C, 7th Infantry Regiment. I have only done a little research on that unit thus far, but I have already found out that they are the oldest unit in the Army, having been formed in 1812. The unit has fought in every war since then, and it has the most combat time and commendations in the Army. I hope to find a timeline of their World War II service so that I can track where Uncle Russ was during the war.
I also see several "Decorations, service medals, citations" listed, including a Bronze Star! Once I get the code deciphered, I will definitely try to get his medals replaced.
"SOLDIERS AND SAILORS RECORD BOOK 5 PAGE 217
ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
Honorable Discharge
This is to certify that
JOHN R. TAPLEY, 34 530 413, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
COMPANY C, 7TH INFANTRY REGIMENT
Army of the United States
is hereby Honorably Discharged from the military service of the United States of America.
This certificate is awarded as a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service to his country.
Given at SEPARATION CENTER
FORT MC PHERSON, GEORGIA
Date 31 OCTOBER 1944
Signed
WALTER W. von SCHLICHTEN
Major, A.G.D.
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the foregoing instrument has been duly
recored in Soldiers & Sailors Discharge Record Book 5
Page 217, of the Public Records of Duval County, Florida
WITNESS my hand and Seal of office at Jacksonville, Florida
this 16th day of November, A.D. 1944.
Signed CLERK CIRCUIT COURT"
"SOLDIERS AND SAILORS RECORD BOOK 5 PAGE 217
ENLISTED RECORD OF
(Last name) Tapley (First name) John (Middle Initial) R.
(Army serial number) 34 530 413, (Grade) Pfc.
Born in Johnson Co., in the State of Ga.
Inducted 14 Nov, 1942, at Cp Blanding, Fla.
When enlisted or inducted he was 24 4/12 years of age and by occupation
a Carpenter.
He had Blue eyes, Red hair, Ruddy complexion,
and was 5 feet 11 1/4 inches in height.
Completed 1 years, 11 months, 18 days service for longevity pay.
Prior service: None.
Certification made for mustering out payment in amount
of $300.00, Paid 31 OCT 1944 One
Hundred Dollars (100.00)
Noncommissioned officer Never.
Military qualifications: MM, M-1 Rifle. MM, Carbine. 2nd Cl Gnr, 81 MM Mortar. *
Army specialty Automatic Rifleman, MOS 746.
Attendance at (Name of noncommissioned officers' or special service school) None.
SOLDIER ISSUED DISCHARGE
LAPEL BUTTON AT FT. McPHERSON, GA
Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions Italian Campaign, 6 June 4?/ON 31 OCT 1944
Decorations, service medals, citations EAMET Med, WDC 1, 43, GCM, Par 3, SO 103 Hq 7th Inf, 16 Jul 44. **
Wounds received in service None.
Date and result of smallpox vaccination: 5 Apr 44.
Date and result of diphtheria immunity test (Schik): Not Given.
Date of other vaccinations (specify vaccine used): Tet: 10 Jan 44. Typhus: 8 May 44.
Physical condition when discharged Good. Married or single Single.
Honorably discharged by reason of: Sec. X. AR 615-360. Convn of Govt. (WDC 370, 44).
Character Excellent. Period of active duty: 21 Nov 42 to 31 Oct 44.
Remarks: No time lost under AW 107. Entitled to Mustering-Out-Pay.
* Combat Inf Badge, P 1 SO 105 Hq 7th Inf, 25 July 44.
** One (1) Bronze Star, (Ital Cmpgn), GO 83, WD 1943.
Foreign Services: Left US 25 Apr 44 Arr AMET 4 May 44: Left AMET 20 Aug 44
Arr US 1 Sept 44.
Print of Right Thumb Signature of soldier
Finance Officer, Separation Center
Ft. McPherson, Ga.
31 OCT 1944
Paid in full $141.63
BY JACK GOLDSMITH, 1st Lt. F. D.
Signed
GEORGE C GREGOR
1st Lieut. AUS
Asst. Personnel Officer"
Now if anyone out there can decipher the medals, etc. or the reason for discharge, I would be grateful.
I just happened to be working on a post for tomorrow about a great grand uncle and it's a summary of his discharge records, so I just went through his when I stumbled upon this post.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for discharge is Section X, convenience of the government. AR 615-360 is Army Regulation 615-360. WDC stands for War Department Circular 370, [19]44.. I found this link that indicates Section X, which was supposed to be for "convenience of the government" but may have been used for other medical reasons. Full text of section X is here. You mentioned PTSD in another post, and the medical link indicates that section X might have been used to discharge some people with that condition. No doubt that conditions for an infantry soldier were very difficult, especially at Anzio.
EAMET medal (aka EAMETO) stands for Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater of Operations, that is the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. WDC 1, 43 is probably the War Department Circular authorizing that medal. GCM is Good Conduct Medal and I think the rest of that is the unit he was attached to when he received the GCM.
The Bronze Star is a pretty significant award, but it's hard to tell what it was awarded for. They would mention a "V" for valor device if it was "an act of combat heroism", but still it's a significant award.
If your uncle arrived in the theater to the 7th Infantry Regiment on 4 May 1944 he would have been probably been involved in the breakout from the beachhead at Anzio that occurred in May 1944 and the subsequent capture of Rome in June. It looks like the 7th Infantry Regiment was part of the 3rd Infantry Division for most of that time, so you'll want to keep that in mind in researching.
Good luck in your future research.
Liz,
ReplyDeleteYou give me hope!!! I will see if my father's papers are on file where he lived since his originals burned in the St. Louis fire!!!
Cindy
The "bronze star" referred to is not the Bronze Star Medal, but rather a small bronze star that is affixed to the campaign medal indicated a subsequent award, or in this case, participation in a continuing campaign in Italy.
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