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Inexspensive piece of WWII OSS History


KASTAUFFER
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I went to a stamp show this weekend and found this in a box for the large sum of $4.00 . While this may not excite most insignia collectors I found it to be a profound piece of history.

 

It is a cover ( envelope ) addressed to Lt. Paul A. Swank of the 2671st Spec. Rec. Bn ( SEP ) ( PROV ) . This unit was actually an OSS unit operating in France and Italy. It was returned to sender because he was killed in action against the enemy near Alet, Aude, France, August 17, 1944.

 

I found a website about the OSS with a page devoted to him

 

http://www.maquisftp-jeanrobert-faita.org/...ando-swank.html

 

KIA_APO_512.jpg

 

Paul A. SWANK, Feb.12, 1921—Aug.17, 1944, First Lieutenant, Army of the United States - Corps of Engineers

 

Paul Swank was born at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He entered the army as a Private on August 18, 1942. He was sent to San Antonio for assignment, and from there to Sheppard Field at Wichita Falls. He had basic instruction at McCallie, and at Davidson where he specialised in artillery. Between September 23, 1942 and January 20, 1943, he completed four special courses. He was then sent to Fort Belvoir, Virginia (the top engineering school of the US army) for more special training. There he served as Cadet Colonel of his class. When he had finished at Fort Belvoir, he was sent to Camp Clairborne, Luisiana, and stayed there until August 18, 1943. He volunteered to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), and became an officer in it. He was posted overseas, to Algiers, Africa, in January of1944, and was parachuted with his section into France, over Le Clat, Aude, on August 11, 1944.

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Kurt,

 

Man, you should run out and buy a Lotto ticket!! What a great find. thumbsup.gif

 

Anything inside??

 

Thanks Jim! It was a good show.

 

Nothing inside this one! I wish there was!

 

Here is a link to another cover I bought the same day. I decided to sell it. The airborne collectors will like it :D

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=160146856301

 

Kurt

 

 

 

101st_POW.jpg

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Thanks Jim! It was a good show.

 

Nothing inside this one! I wish there was!

 

Here is a link to another cover I bought the same day. I decided to sell it. The airborne collectors will like it :D

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=160146856301

 

Kurt

post-105-1186980718.jpg

 

Another nice one. My brother lives in Cheyenne and his wife's grandmother lived on Central. Small world.

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