WW2 Americal Division Vet Japanese bring backs

[joefriday22]

Hi Sirs,

I posted some of this story a while ago in another forum here but I was unable to show the Japanese items on this forum at that time. Now that bring back items from other countries can be shown I'm going to post this again.

The items are from US Army Sgt Edwin Reed of Co. A. 182 Infantry, Americal Division. Sgt Reed served in the Pacific and the group includes: Americal patches, rank insignias, CIB & ribbon bars, service records, group photo, record of service, maps, greeting cards, USO memorabilia, address book, handbooks & manuals, photos of the him and his wife, pay records, IDs, discharge and other paper goods. A prized possession was his pocket Bible - complete with a GI Condom inside! There is also the Purple Heart and notice of Reed being wounded on Cebu Island March 29, 1945 after a Japanese ammo dump exploded. Reed's unit was digging foxholes on a mountain and the ammo was burried in tunnels below. The Japanese detonated the ammo dump which killed or wounded everyone on the mountain. Co. A. existed on paper only for some time until replacements could be gathered to re-form the company. He was discharged from the Camp Pickett, Va. Convalescant Hospital September 11, 1945.

In reading his records it appears that he served at New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Bouganville, Leyte, Soloman and Cebu Islands. There are several Forts in the US listed and several other overseas areas but I can't read the writing.

Under "Engagements" Sgt Reed has listed Bougainville April 9, 1944-Jan 1945, Capul Jan-Feb 1945,Samar Feb-Mar 1945, and Cebu Island from March - March 29, 1945 (when he was injured).

Interesting reading about the Americal Division in WW2 here:
http://en.wikipedia....rations_summary

Sgt. Reed's son provided me with a few stories relayed to him by his father.

 

 

 

[joefriday22]

 

[joefriday22]

[joefriday22]

[joefriday22]

The cloth tag on the scabbard is called a "surrender tag". I had the tag translated and it lists the officers name and home address. Apparently the idea of the surrender tag was that the owner hoped that the sword may be returned to his family if he was killed or the sword was surrendered.

 

 

 

[joefriday22]

I have much more paperwork including hand written notes that are very detailed regarding his service from day 1 through his discharge to include medical records, what weapons he qualified with and his scores with them, where he fought, how he was wounded and saved, how he received the sword, and much more.

 

 

Best,

Rob

 

PS. is there a way to edit posts?

[Garandomatic]

Nice grouping, especially with the Japanese pieces. Post a few of his notes or records too. If there's a whole bunch of them, just hit the big stuff.

[trenchbuff]

What a beautiful grouping! Seems to have it all.

[joefriday22]

Much thanks Sirs.

 

Rob