Jump to content

Last bring back for the year! Mauser HSc


WWIIBuff1945
 Share

Recommended Posts

Last bring back purchase for the year. From Pre98 a nice matching Mauser HSc with capture papers. Lowell Van Tilburgh was a member of the Army Air Forces. Thanks to member AZNATION (Matt), I have some good information already!

 

post-158759-0-43920000-1545885441_thumb.jpgpost-158759-0-82089200-1545885460_thumb.jpgpost-158759-0-69511600-1545885475_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys!

 

Some interesting info from Matt:

AIR WEATHER ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to civilian and military personnel who serve, or formerly served, in a USAF/USAAF or USAFR/ANG weather support unit (including air weather reconnaissance), or a weather training unit, regardless of AFSC/MOS, and to the surviving spouse.

 

Due to Lowell's membership in the Air Weather Association, it appears he must've served in a USAAF weather support unit, air weather reconnaissance, or a weather training unit.

 

 

 

Attached Images
  • msg-97747-0-20787400-1545377075.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Publication: The Piqua Daily Call

Location: Piqua, Ohio

Issue Date: Monday, June 30, 1941

Page: Page 2

 

Van Tilburgh - Reigle One hundred guests gathered Saturday night, June 14, in the quaint and picturesque United Church of the Brethren at Savona, Ohio, for the wedding of Miss Mildred Aileen Reigle and Lowell E. Van Tilburgh son of Mrs. P. R. Etter of Covington and well known in Piqua. Mr. and Mrs. Netum Harris of Greenville attended the couple. The bride, who is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Reigle of near Arcanum graduated this spring from the New Madison high school. Mr. Van Tiiburgh graduate of Newton high school in 38 is employed at the N, C, R Dayton.

 

Piqua Daily Call Newspaper Archives

Monday, April 26, 1943 - Page 10

 

REPORT TODAY FOR ASSIGNMENTS IN ARMED FORCES Twenty-nine inductees left on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad near this morning for Port Thomas, Kentucky where they will receive assignments in the U. S Army. This group of men passed physical examinations April 19 in Cincinnati. From the original group, going to the army this morning from Piqua were: Edwin L. Frey, leader; Samuel C. Traylor, Daniel H. Yount, Dale E. Karn Delbert E. Cornelius, Wilbur E Schafter, Ray F. Hare, Isaac P Jones, Kenneth L. Grubbs, Theodore W. Shoe. Joseph A. Bowers, Richard Howell, Lloyd R. Bensley, Emerson R. Powell, Gus E. Gates, Ellsworth H. Durand, Russell G. Morris, Waldo F. Pearson, Robert J. Ammon Paul E. Brooks, Cart Magili, Jr. From Covington. Harold E. Weichert, Lowell E. VanTilburgh, Ned Russell, Jack B. Kraus, Robert S Alexander, Robert L. Stevenson Richard L. Johnson. Paul E. Brockert, Athens; Cory P Sturgeon, Jr., Troy; Charles F Stahl, Conover.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great piece! Always loved the look of the HSC. Very elegant

 

Thanks Trevor! I think the pistol has a futuristic look about it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I contacted the Air Weather Association looking for info on Lowell and was given his wife's contact info. She is still alive (aged 86) and I called her this morning. She said all she knew he was involved in weather reconnaissance flights in Europe during the war. I asked if she could make a copy of his service records and she agreed.
Looking forward to getting them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's absolutely GREAT news Keith! I know when you get a copy of his service records you'll post the info. I look forward to you getting them as well. Awesome!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I received this info from the family today! I told the family I would register Lowell in the online WWII Memorial. I am not sure who to decipher his records and I want to give the correct info for his memorial. Any Army Airforce buffs that can help me get this right. Would he have been a radio operator in the 756 Bomber Group - 40th Mobile Command Squadron? Also not sure of the abbreviations in his battle & campaigns section. Anyone know what GO 33 & 40 WD 45 means?

Thanks for any help.

post-158759-0-79164100-1548716017_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Anyone know what GO 33 & 40 WD 45 means?

 

 

General Order 33 WD45 for instance specifies the geographical combat zone, and time limitation for the following Bronze Service Star Campaigns related to the European African Middle Eastern Campaign (EAME) medal:

  • Egypt-Libya
  • Air offensive Europe
  • Algeria-French Morocco
  • Tunisia
  • Sicily
  • Naples-Foggia
  • Rome-Arno
  • Normandy
  • Northern France
  • Southern France
  • Germany
  • Ardennes.

General Order 40 amends GO 33, WD 1945 by updating the conditions of the Rome-Arno, and Ardennes campaigns and adds in the Rhineland campaign.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Battles and Campaigns:


(GO) 33 & 40 WD 45 Normandy No France Rhineland Ardennes Central Europe


GO = General Order


WD = War Department


So he participated in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe



Decorations include:



1) Good Conduct Medal


The Army Good Conduct Medal was established by Executive Order 8809, dated 28 June 1941, and authorized the award for soldiers completing three years active service after that date.



The criteria were amended by Executive Order 9323, dated 31 March 1943, to authorize the award for candidates having three years of service after 7 December 1941 or one year of service while the United States is at war.



2) Meritorious Service Award


The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) is a military award presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969.



3) Abbreviation: American Thr Ser Med


American Theater Service Medal - The medal was intended to recognize those military members who had performed military service in the American Theater of Operations during World War II.



4) Abbreviation: EAME Thr Ser Med w/5 bronze stars


The European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal - is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by Executive Order 9265 issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) during the years of the Second World War. The 5 bronze stars would indicate that he participated in 5 designated military campaigns.



5) Victory Medal


The medal is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

You're welcome.

 

Regarding how the 40th Mobile Communications Squadron was assigned and what the duties of a radio operator were, look at this.

 

Source: The Hero Next Door Returns: Stories from Wisconsin's World War II Veterans

By Kristin Gilpatrick

https://books.google.com/books?id=W4yPa7sgW5MC&pg=PA56&lpg=PA56&dq=%2240th+Mobile+Communications%22+Army&source=bl&ots=LY_tBF0eaB&sig=ACfU3U0fhMYD7fVg488Lxe77GT0t_PyMsA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwitq4bd2JHgAhUX24MKHTd_C9kQ6AEwCHoECAUQAQ#v=onepage&q=%2240th%20Mobile%20Communications%22%20Army&f=false

 

 

g1.jpg

g2.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You're welcome. That is interesting.

 

On the discharge where it shows Military Occupational Specialty and No, and states it's RADIO OPERATOR AAF 756, the description below details from an official standpoint what his duties would've been.

 

RADIO OPERATOR, AAF (756)

 

Operates ground transmitting and receiving equipment. Sends and receives messages using letters and numerals of the International Morse Code, CW, ICW, tone, or light signals in the same code.

 

Receives International Morse Code signals copying by hand-printing at a minimum speed of 16 five-letter random code groups per minute without error for a minimum period of 3 consecutive minutes out of 5.

 

Transmits International Morse Code signals, using hand key, at a minimum speed of 16 five-letter random code groups per minute without error for a minimum period of 2 consecutive minutes out of 3. Handles without error, a minimum of 15 plain-dress normal form messages (averaging 10 five-letter code groups of text) in a field radio net of two or more stations through interference.

 

Normally operates ground-to-air and point-to-point, changing frequencies as required. Tunes radio equipment accurately and quickly to any required frequency covered by coils and installed equipment. Maintains calibration charts. revising transmitter tuning data as necessary. Must possess a thorough working knowledge of combined radio-telephone and radiotelegraph procedures and authentication. Should be familiar with commonly used low grade cryptographic equipment and systems. Receives and transmits by light signals at a minimum speed of 5 wpm. Maintains station logs and message files.

 

Makes required periodic inspections of radio equipment. Keeps equipment clean. Inspects antenna systems, cords, plugs, telegraph key, and control switches and makes all necessary adjustments. Tests all Army Air Forces radio equipment customarily installed, such as receivers, transmitter, power supply auxiliaries and accessories. Changes tubes, or tuning coils as necessary.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...