Kaigun Shosa Posted October 14, 2017 Share #1 Posted October 14, 2017 A recent acquisition to my Navy Good Conduct Collection. This medal came with a ton of photos and original paperwork. I did not write for his service record details yet, but was able to piece together his career from what I gathered from all the documents. we have the following: Chief Machinist (WO1) William Carl Pohlman Born in Queravaca Mexico 6 September 1900 to German parents that emigrated to Mexico. He spoke both fluent German and English. Entered the Navy on 18 Apr 1919 Tours of duty include the following: From 1919 to 1924 served at Charleston S.C.; Sub Base New London, and served onboard USS (S-7). Also sometime during this period he attended Machinist mate school and Submarine School. - Mar 1924 to Jan 1930 USS S-38 (Homeport, Cavite, P.I.) Awarded First Good Conduct medal. - Jan 1930 to Jun 1934 USS Nautilus - Jun 1934 to Sept 1934 USS Dobbin (AD-3) - Sept 1934 to Dec 1937 Performed Recruiting duty in Quincy Illinois - Dec 1937 to Sept 1942 USS Narwhal (At Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 Dec 1941) During his time on the Narwhal he received a second (1938) and third (1941) bars for his good conduct medal. Completed First three War patrols with USS Narwhal under the command of LCDR Chester W "Weary" Wilkins Commissioned as Chief Machinist in 1942 and transferred off the boat to Sub Base Pearl Harbor as officer in charge of repair work on Submarines returning from war patrol. - Jun 1943 to Jan 1945 Transferred to Officer in Charge, Salvage Officer, Sub Sup Center, Submarine Base Pearl Harbor. Chief Machinist Pohlman was denied permanent appointment in the Navy. Disqualified due to Arterial Hypertension and eventually retired from active duty in 1946. Moved to the Concord Calif. area sometime in 1947 15 May 1950 completed 30 years of Naval service with both active and inactive duty. died 21 April 1965 at the Martinez, CA VA hospital and is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery. The only medal I have of his is the good conduct medal. However, from what I gather he is also entitled to the following: - American defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Bar - Asiatic Pacific Campaign with 2 stars (probably entitled to at least one more, however, only two were documented in the paperwork I have of him. - American Theater Campaign - WWII Victory Since I do not have a copy of his service file, I am not sure why there is a 10 year time period from his first good conduct to his second award. He could be missing a bar? Did not qualify? did not put in for one? So unless I get his records, I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaigun Shosa Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted October 14, 2017 USS Narwhal at Pearl Harbor during the attack. Chief Pohlman was onboard when this photo was taken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaigun Shosa Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted October 14, 2017 More documents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaigun Shosa Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted October 14, 2017 His Mess ID cards and his final resting place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaigun Shosa Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted October 14, 2017 I believe these are USS Narwhal Chiefs With Pohlman circled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerialbridge Posted October 15, 2017 Share #6 Posted October 15, 2017 Interesting group with the research, paper and photos. Never saw "Mexico" or any foreign country on a VA-issue headstone before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 15, 2017 Share #7 Posted October 15, 2017 It's a fantastic group. I used to own it, Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerialbridge Posted October 15, 2017 Share #8 Posted October 15, 2017 Indeed it is, Kurt. Very desirable. I'm glad you're online since I've got a question on another post I'm going to ask now that I'm pretty sure you would have the answer to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted October 15, 2017 Share #9 Posted October 15, 2017 Very interesting USN grouping, thanks for sharing with us. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay V Posted October 15, 2017 Share #10 Posted October 15, 2017 Wow what an awesome grouping and a great addition to any Navy GCM collection!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted October 16, 2017 Share #11 Posted October 16, 2017 Very nice, thank you for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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