cutiger83 Posted March 29, 2015 Share #1 Posted March 29, 2015 I thought I remembered reading somewhere that Jewish soldiers had the option to not put an H on their dog tags in case they were captured. I have tried searching but have not been able to find proof that this was an option. Has anyone seen this fact documented? Thanks, Kat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted March 29, 2015 Share #2 Posted March 29, 2015 in ww2 there were 3 options "P" "C" and "H" for Protestant, Catholic, and Hebrew. there is a 4th option said to exist but to my knowledge is unproven which was "NO" for no preference. Jewish soldiers as far as i know (i've spoken to only one) had the option to change their tag to Protestant or Catholic. but the H signified Hebrew or Jewish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted March 29, 2015 in ww2 there were 3 options "P" "C" and "H" for Protestant, Catholic, and Hebrew. there is a 4th option said to exist but to my knowledge is unproven which was "NO" for no preference. Jewish soldiers as far as i know (i've spoken to only one) had the option to change their tag to Protestant or Catholic. but the H signified Hebrew or Jewish I knew about the 3 options but I have not found proof that they had the option to change their tag. Is it documented anywhere or is it something someone heard from someone.... ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted March 29, 2015 Share #4 Posted March 29, 2015 i have read it before (i'll look for the place where i read it) but i heard it from the soldier he said he had the option but he said he kept his because he wasnt afraid to be a Jew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted March 29, 2015 When doing a google search, I found mention of soldiers scratching out their tags to remove the H but nothing saying they had an option not to have the H. ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted March 29, 2015 Share #6 Posted March 29, 2015 I found a mention that they threw away their dog tags altogether, but nothing about being allowed to choose to leave it off. I would imagine though, that it would have been something that could be done. If non-religious G.I.'s had no preference stamped, then it was probably an optional thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted March 29, 2015 Share #7 Posted March 29, 2015 I found a mention that they threw away their dog tags altogether, but nothing about being allowed to choose to leave it off. I would imagine though, that it would have been something that could be done. If non-religious G.I.'s had no preference stamped, then it was probably an optional thing. as far as leaving it off all together ive only found this little thing... http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/22/opinion/l-in-world-war-ii-many-jewish-gi-s-left-religion-off-dog-tags-470333.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellasilva Posted March 29, 2015 Share #8 Posted March 29, 2015 There were also those who had a J for Jewish preference. I have two examples of these, and none of them show any signs of attempts at obscuring the stamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted March 31, 2015 Share #9 Posted March 31, 2015 In one of the books on Task Force Baum, a vet describes being worried that the his German captors would see the "H". Sure enough, one of the guards going through the line of new POWs asked him what the "H" meant. He replied "Heer" which is German for Army. The guard didn't question why an American soldier would have an abbreviation for a German word on his identity tag, but just accepted it and moved on.That's quick thinking if you ask me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichiesRelics Posted April 1, 2015 Share #10 Posted April 1, 2015 In the documentary "Surviving DDay" one of the vets talks about this. From what I remember, he said that he had the choice to leave the H off altogether. He decided to keep the H on his dog tag, and even painted the star of David on the back of his jacket prior to the invasion. I guess he was not afraid what would happen to him if he was captured... Richie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted April 1, 2015 Share #11 Posted April 1, 2015 In the documentary "Surviving DDay" one of the vets talks about this. From what I remember, he said that he had the choice to leave the H off altogether. He decided to keep the H on his dog tag, and even painted the star of David on the back of his jacket prior to the invasion. I guess he was not afraid what would happen to him if he was captured...Richie yeah that was that really inaccurate documentary lol but from what I understand the stories were true just inaccurate gear and things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobrahistorian Posted April 1, 2015 Share #12 Posted April 1, 2015 My Grandfather's and several that I own have the H. I have encountered a J (and initially thought it was a fake, the thread may still be on here somewhere), and discovered it is legit. Looked like it was a late-war thing though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted April 1, 2015 Share #13 Posted April 1, 2015 Jake, But that is right what Richie said. The veteran who did that was Harold Baumgarten of B/116. In interviews he confirmed that he did that. Even though the documentary isn't great, that is true. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share #14 Posted April 1, 2015 But that is right what Richie said. The veteran who did that was Harold Baumgarten of B/116. In interviews he confirmed that he did that. Dave Dave, I saw the interview too. This was one veteran who said he had the option to leave off the H. I have not found any other documented proof that soldiers had the option. Has anyone seen documented proof? It may not exist. Word of mouth can get changed over the years. ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted April 1, 2015 Share #15 Posted April 1, 2015 During WW2, by regulation, religious preference on dog tags was optional for USN, USMC & USCG. I would guess Army and Air Corps was the same. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share #16 Posted April 1, 2015 During WW2, by regulation, religious preference on dog tags was optional for USN, USMC & USCG. I would guess Army and Air Corps was the same. Wharf Thanks for your input. So this was an option for all faiths? ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted April 1, 2015 Share #17 Posted April 1, 2015 Thanks for your input. So this was an option for all faiths? ...Kat Yes, not required for anyone. However, If a person did request it, the letter P, C, or H was to be used during WW2. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share #18 Posted April 1, 2015 Yes, not required for anyone. However, If a person did request it, the letter P, C, or H was to be used during WW2. Wharf I don't mean to beat a dead horse but do you have a copy of the regulations saying it was optional? From what I have been able to find, only one or two people said it was optional where a lot more said they "altered" their dog tags to remove the letter. ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted April 1, 2015 Share #19 Posted April 1, 2015 I don't mean to beat a dead horse but do you have a copy of the regulations saying it was optional? From what I have been able to find, only one or two people said it was optional where a lot more said they "altered" their dog tags to remove the letter. ...Kat Bureau of Naval Personnel Manual 1942, corrected to June 1946. We assume soldiers that removed religious preference from their tags did it in Europe long after their first or second set of tags were issued. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share #20 Posted April 1, 2015 Bureau of Naval Personnel Manual 1942, corrected to June 1946. We assume soldiers that removed religious preference from their tags did it in Europe long after their first or second set of tags were issued. Wharf Thanks. I appreciate it....Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted April 1, 2015 Share #21 Posted April 1, 2015 Thanks. I appreciate it....Kat Always my pleasure. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted April 1, 2015 Share #22 Posted April 1, 2015 Jake, But that is right what Richie said. The veteran who did that was Harold Baumgarten of B/116. In interviews he confirmed that he did that. Even though the documentary isn't great, that is true. Dave Here's the clip and actually it is the same as what I said however. It is not him who says it it is the documentary narrator who says it.D-Day Landings Commence | Surviving D-Day: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffs1130 Posted August 14, 2016 Share #23 Posted August 14, 2016 Here's a WWII Army Dog Tag with "J" for Jewish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted August 14, 2016 Share #24 Posted August 14, 2016 They would leave it blank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted August 14, 2016 Share #25 Posted August 14, 2016 Case in point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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