My Dad was a WWII veteran, at his funeral we were surprised to see his bronze star had three clusters on it?

Question

Like most vetrans who saw much action he didn't say much. Dad, A Lt. Col. was a member of Third Army,8th corps, AntiAircraft, his insignas were the circled A and crossed motars. I suspect the honours could be for: being part of the organization leading up to the landing at Normandy, actions at Normandy. Liberating Oldorf Nord, Dad was there for 4-6 weeks including Ike's tour.He establised and mantained the copper communication lines into and out of Bastogne. However I don't know anything for certian, like I said Dad didn't talk about his medals. One of his immidiate commanders was Col. Wolf. After Normandy Dad's unit(8th corps) basically followed the Rine intil the Buldge when it was destroyed as a unit.(The 8th's listed on the memorial on the hill over looking the battlefield, the family visited it in 72'). At the end of the war he was stationed very near "Stalin's" troops.

I have sent for his records, however the pentagon tells me they were lost in a fire. Any ideas out there?

Answer 1

You may try to find military reunions that are associated with his organization, and then try to find survivors from his unit(s) who could shed some light on his actions.

You could also contact the military branch he served in, and see if a historian could shed some light on the clusters.

In my own experience, an oak leaf cluster is awarded for the second, third, fourth, etc. award of a medal. A bronze oak leaf cluster signifies one award; a silver oak leaf cluster signifies five awards, and replaces the previous bronze oak leaf clusters. For example, I was awarded nine Air Medals, and was entitled to wear the ribbon, plus a silver oak leaf cluster, and three bronza oak leaf clusters.

Answer 2

The Bronze Star is a pretty significant medal. Check out the web site:

http://www.americal.org/awards/achv-svc.htm

for a description of what it was awarded for. A partial quote:

b. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

c. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.

This medal doesn't sound like an "I was there" kind of award.

Answer 3

Usually the units have a newsletter or website. Get in contact with men he served with and subscribe to the newsletter. It will give you a lot of information. My grandfather faught in the war and the only thing he ever told me was that a house on the travel channel in Amsterdam was like the houses he stayed in during the war. I found out from the newsletters that he had liberated concentration camps (who would want to talk about that?).

Answer 4

my dad was also a vet of WWII,,also received the bronze star,,but his only had one star in the middle of the bronze star,,was in the,9th armour, 73rd Armory field artillary battalion,,also founght in the battle of the bulge,,and his commander was a Gen Harrold, under the command of a Lt.Col. SS Sogard,,,after his death was also awarded a bronze medal: Presesrving American Freedom"/"Honoring The American Veteran",,,as for getting info about your fathers unit,,do you know of anyone who served with him that might still be alive(try asking them),,,sometimes the V.F.W. may be able to help point you the right direction,,,also try contacting a congressman from your district,,,,,,,,,,I wish all the luck to you(I know what this means to you,,,,good luck),,I've still got my dads papers from basic training,an old milatary book telling of the march to "save a bridge"(a movie was made about that)

Answer 5

you might go to www.military.com and see if they have a message board you can post in