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Would a Tecnician 5th grade be part of the first wave of troops during D-day?


Tasken_Lander
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Tasken_Lander

I'm sorry for asking the same question in multiple threads but I never seem to get a 100% defining answer.

 

Would a Technician 5th grade be part of the first wave of troops among the 2nd rangers during D-day? If so, would/could be be equipped in just regular field gear or would he have something special with him? I.E. a radio or be a medic, etc? Could he be dressed just like a basic rifleman?

 

What are some of the tasks they'd be required to do that day (June 6, 1944)?

 

I know some of these anwsers can be found in the Spearheading D-Day book but it'll be a while before I can pick up a copy.

 

Thanks in advance.

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I have seen several Tech rated men's uniforms that were combat medics. Friend of mine from high school's grandpa was in the 41st Div., part of a rifle company, Combat Medic Badge, PH with OLC.

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I'm sorry for asking the same question in multiple threads but I never seem to get a 100% defining answer.

 

Would a Technician 5th grade be part of the first wave of troops among the 2nd rangers during D-day? If so, would/could be be equipped in just regular field gear or would he have something special with him? I.E. a radio or be a medic, etc? Could he be dressed just like a basic rifleman?

 

What are some of the tasks they'd be required to do that day (June 6, 1944)?

 

Whether one was a technician or "regular" NCO depended on the soldier's specialty. Some MOS's went to technician grades, some not, but there were T-grades in pretty much every type of unit at the company level and up. The grade, technician or not, doesn't mean much as far as what weapons, equipment, duties etc. a soldier had. That was determined by MOS and the unit's Table of Organization & Equipment.

 

Justin B.

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Tasken_Lander

Hi guys,

I'm still pretty confused... So if doing a Ranger D-day mannequin display he could have Tech rates/ranking and not nessescarily need any additional personalized gear (medical supplies, demolitions, radio etc) aside from his regular assault gear?

 

After Christmas I'll HAVE to seek out those books.

 

Thanks in advance

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Hi guys,

I'm still pretty confused... So if doing a Ranger D-day mannequin display he could have Tech rates/ranking and not nessescarily need any additional personalized gear (medical supplies, demolitions, radio etc) aside from his regular assault gear?

 

After Christmas I'll HAVE to seek out those books.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Thats about right, but you can if you want add the special gear.

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Keep in mind that while the rank structure was the same (t-5s were called Corporals, T-4s Sergeant and so on) the tech ranks were usually very specific jobs. Radioman, Mortar Crewman, Company Clerks to name a few. In WWII while the hard stripes were usually reserved for the leadership positions, the tech grades should have commanded the same respect as a hard stripe of the same rank and were referred to as Corporal, Sergeant and staff sergeant. The same thing was seen into the 80s with the Specialist ranks, although a Specialist was a specialist was a specialist as it were. If a Spec 5 was placed into a Leadership position for example, he would receive a lateral promotion to hardstripe Sergeant. Eventually, the lateral ranking within the specialist ranks was done away with with the exception of the Spec 4. Now, you rarely see Corporals even if a Spec 4 is a team leader.

 

Wayne

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Keep in mind that while the rank structure was the same (t-5s were called Corporals, T-4s Sergeant and so on) the tech ranks were usually very specific jobs. Radioman, Mortar Crewman, Company Clerks to name a few. In WWII while the hard stripes were usually reserved for the leadership positions, the tech grades should have commanded the same respect as a hard stripe of the same rank and were referred to as Corporal, Sergeant and staff sergeant. The same thing was seen into the 80s with the Specialist ranks, although a Specialist was a specialist was a specialist as it were. If a Spec 5 was placed into a Leadership position for example, he would receive a lateral promotion to hardstripe Sergeant. Eventually, the lateral ranking within the specialist ranks was done away with with the exception of the Spec 4. Now, you rarely see Corporals even if a Spec 4 is a team leader.

 

Wayne

 

I concur, Technicans wear adressed as Corporal of Sergeant, never as Technican, like in example YOU!Technican Harrelson come here! this differs from the later Specialist ranks of the 50-present, they were adressed as Specialist. Do you know that when I was in Reception Station at Fort Jackson we were told to call AT EASE, when a Spec 4 came in to our midst :lol: no doubt gave a big boost to the ego of our Spec 4s :D

But the practice fell off right away once we arrived at Benning for Basic and AIT.

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Tasken_Lander

FYI this GI was a Medic with HQ/2Rangers and came ashore on Omaha Beach on D-Day

 

CLARKUSA.jpg

 

Interesting. Any place/link for further information pertaining to this gentleman?

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Johan Willaert

 

Interesting. Any place/link for further information pertaining to this gentleman?

 

Medic who fought in all campaigns of WW2 with the 2nd Rangers.

Awarded Silver Star, 2x Bronze Star, 2xPurple Heart

Demoted to Pvt and returned to the USA as Pfc.

Served as a Policeman after WW2, died in 1997.

Inducted in the Ranger Hall of Fame.

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