Josh B. Posted March 14, 2011 Share #1 Posted March 14, 2011 Thought I'd share this grouping I bought some time ago directly from the vet's son after his father passed away. Unfortunately he had already sold alot of his father's belongings before I came across it, so this was all that was left to be had. I blurred the places where the vet's name was written on all of the paperwork- I've seen one too many "interested parties" using google to "shop" for named militaria lately, so I'm keeping that to myself. That being said, he's listed in the online roster indicated by his discharge paperwork as would be expected. This group is unique as the heart number matches that listed in the discharge paperwork as I've shown- a practice that was discontinued not too long into the war. A nice grouping to a guy wounded twice in 6 EAME campaigns in the hard-fighting 504th PIR, the "Devils in the baggy pants" regiment. Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted March 14, 2011 group shot- OLC on ribbon bar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted March 14, 2011 discharge excerpt with PH number, campaigns and wound dates/locations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted March 14, 2011 PH edge number Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted March 14, 2011 back of the SSI for the patch guys... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted March 14, 2011 Share #6 Posted March 14, 2011 Is the Purple heart itself named? -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted March 14, 2011 Is the Purple heart itself named? -Ski Ski, No, its a typical blank reverse WIA heart. Its just nice that the number shows up in the discharge papers and establishes rock solid provenance to this soldier. -Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted March 14, 2011 Share #8 Posted March 14, 2011 Josh, There is certainly provenance established with the whole group. That makes for a great piece of collecting history. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted March 14, 2011 Share #9 Posted March 14, 2011 Ski, No, its a typical blank reverse WIA heart. Its just nice that the number shows up in the discharge papers and establishes rock solid provenance to this soldier. -Josh You bet! Very nice, indeed! -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1944 Posted March 14, 2011 Share #10 Posted March 14, 2011 Hey Josh, Well Done on getting it Thats an Excellent 504th PIR Grouping W/OLC You have got there Very Nice to see and its a great Piece of American Military History you have there :thumbsup: . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted March 15, 2011 Share #11 Posted March 15, 2011 Josh, Awesome find, thank you for sharing. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted March 15, 2011 Share #12 Posted March 15, 2011 :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101world Posted March 15, 2011 Share #13 Posted March 15, 2011 Nice heart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted March 17, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted March 17, 2011 Thanks for all of the kind comments. I wish more of these numbered hearts showed up logged in discharge papers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted June 23, 2019 Ok, just dug this group out again. Any reason this man's records lack indication of a parachute badge or service school? Given his campaigns and service records, there's no indication he was ever attached to another unit. Sorry, I mostly specialize in USN these days, and not a 504th expert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted June 24, 2019 Share #16 Posted June 24, 2019 There's a line further down that discusses service schools attended - I would expect to see TPS (The Parachute School) or something to that effect with a time of 4 weeks - the problem with WWII discharges is that they were anything but standardized and things are on or not based on the whim of the clerk and the level of care within the individual. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted June 24, 2019 Author Share #17 Posted June 24, 2019 There's a line further down that discusses service schools attended - I would expect to see TPS (The Parachute School) or something to that effect with a time of 4 weeks - the problem with WWII discharges is that they were anything but standardized and things are on or not based on the whim of the clerk and the level of care within the individual. Kyle Thanks Kyle. I have to look at the paperwork again, but I believe the box with service schools is either blank or says "none". This trooper's son had an original "Devils in baggy pants" unit history, but sold it before I found the group. Would this have listed names and jump training? If not, did the 504th have wartime yearbooks that might? Best, Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted June 29, 2019 Author Share #18 Posted June 29, 2019 This trooper's ETO card is signed by none other than Capt. Adam Komosa. Capt. Komosa's Silver star citation reads: GENERAL ORDERS:Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 131 (November 3, 1945) CITATION:The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Adam A. Komosa (ASN: 0-378898), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 30 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. Captain Komosa, his exhausted and decimated company pinned down by four machine guns as he led it across open and exposed terrain, dashed forward with his submachine gun and silenced one enemy gun. To perform this action which enabled the company to advance, Captain Komosa voluntarily exposed himself for five minutes to a raking stream of accurate and interlocked enemy automatic weapons fire. Having disposed of one enemy machine gun, he called forward his own and so skillfully directed their emplacement and operation that the three remaining enemy guns were destroyed. Captain Komosa then placed himself at the head of the company and led it forward in a smashing attack against well emplaced enemy infantry that yielded eighty prisoners and caused many enemy casualties. His personal example of determination, devotion to duty and forgetfulness of self safety, inspired the men of his company and was a major consideration in the success of the attack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh B. Posted June 29, 2019 Author Share #19 Posted June 29, 2019 Back of ETO card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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