USMC Grouping found yesterday..and..

[8MM]

Hi eveyone..I have an update on this grouping I found a couple of weeks ago.

The daughter went back to her hometown in Eastern Oregon,and found more stuff (Japanese flag,a suitcase the uniforms were stored in,his seabag,some random straps,etc)

She is sending them to me this week.

Also,she sent a picture of her Father,Cpl. Walrath,in his uniform,showing the VAC patch in wear,an American Service ribbon and 3 stars on his Asiatic-Pacific ribbon,and a ribbon I cannot identify.

I know the picture is blurry,but that is what she sent (She insists on keeping the original,and rightfully so)

Can anyone ID the other ribbon bar for me?

[Terry K.]

Navy & Marine Unit citation ribbon, American Theater and Asiatic Pacific ribbon is what it looks like.

[8MM]

Navy & Marine Unit citation ribbon, American Theater and Asiatic Pacific ribbon is what it looks like.

Thank you,Sir.I was thinking that coud be the case,but I couldn't quite make it out.

[uplandmod]

It says right here he was part of VCorps the Rosters.

 

Clearly his unit must have been attached at the Corps level at this time.

 

Keith S Walrath Muster Date: Jan 1944 Rank: Corporal Station: Second Separate Engineer Company, Twenty Second Marines (Reinforced), Fifth Amphibious Corps, Fleet Marine Force, In The Field.

 

I'm reading the USMC Order of Battle and the 22nd Engineers was a separate unit not attached to any division at this time and reported directly to the Corps. it appears these units were later integrated into Marine Divisions but saw combat before they were intergraded into a division. It says only two of these Separate units saw combat before they were attached to a division, the 4th and 22nd.

 

I never knew about these Separate units, it seems they were some sort of Brigade sized units, but not sure of why they were used and for what purpose was, maybe to give a Corps its own Engineer/tank/infantry units?

 

LF

[uplandmod]

Marines who worked in some official guard positions and Ships Detachments were still issued dress blues, the rest of the Marines had to buy them privately from base tailors if they wanted one.

 

Its very common to see 1930's dated blues still being used in the 1940's and being recycled, in fact I'm helping somebody trying to ID a set of blues that were used in the 30's and reused in the 40's.

 

During the later part of the war is seems the GCM was changed from four to three years, but seems it was still only issued upon reenlistment. I believe this Marine as stated above reenlisted, received his GCM and then......got sick!

 

Somewhere along the line he picked up a Blues, maybe he had to do some official ceremony's or something where they issued him one or he just bought it for himself.

 

Overall this grouping is solid, and incredible find and glad it has gone to a good home!

Thank you for sharing!

 

LF

[Bruce Linz]

The third ribbon is the Navy Presidential Unit Citation: V Amphibious Corps, (Reinforced), Assault Troops, 19-28 February 1945, Iwo Jima.

 

Semper Fi,

Bruce Linz

[uplandmod]

I believe he was back in the USA by Iwo, I'm assuming the PUC award was for Saipan.

[Bruce Linz]

LF you are absolutely correct PUC awarded for Saipan and Tinian.

[8MM]

Sorry to keep bringing this one back up,but the daughters keep finding more stuff in the house!!

They called me earlier this week and said they found more,so here it is-Helmet with low pressure liner,seabag,belt,canteen pouch,straps and belts of all types,USN & USMC forks,an HBT shirt,gas mask bag,and another picture of him,this time in the dress blues.

They said there is probably even MORE to come!!!

[8MM]

more

[uplandmod]

Amazing!

[8MM]

Amazing!

You should see the house..Especially the basement!

Seems there was some 1st class hoarding going on.

I dont think he ever threw anything away.Which is great for me!

Knowing what I do of farm boys growing up in the Depression,nothing goes to waste and everything gets re-used.(my Grandfather is the same way)

 

I sent off for his OMPF yesterday,so hopefully I can shed more light on his service,if anyone is interested.I don't want to hog the whole forum from anyone.

[MCDUFF]

Fantastic! A wonderful grouping, congratulations! Keep us updated!! Thanks for sharing.

[Brian Dentino]

This is a great group that seems to just keep on giving! Amazing.....started out with a few nice uniforms and has turned into quite the grouping. Great that these items are finding a good home, all together, with someone that will keep this brave Marines service alive. Keep posting.......will be waiting to see what else may surface from this well of goods!

[8MM]

Sorry to bring this back up,but i found some slightly disturbing info today..

The helmet and gas mask bag are named to a " J.D.Lindh" ,and did not belong to Cpl Walrath as I thought.The name is VERY lightly scratched into the sweatband of thh helmet and I couldnt see it until today.

Doing some research,I found that J.D. Lindh was an Army Air Corps Lt.,from Klamath Falls,Oregon.Talked to the daughter of the Marine (Cpl.Walrath),and she said, "Oh yeah,he was our neighbor growing up"

Expains that.He gave his helmet and gas mask bag to Walrath.

Maybe the Purple Heart that came with the grouping was his as well?

Anyway,I am going to sell off the helmet to buy some other things I want.Sure wish it were actually his!

[Taylor]

I assume you probably won’t see this op because this is twelve years later but I am now in possession of the walrath grouping but all I have is his blues, white cover, pants and belt, his service jacket with shirt and tie and some other stuff. I was wondering if you see this what you did with his utility uniform, belts, canteen etc

[Blacksmith]

1 hour ago, Taylor said:

I assume you probably won’t see this op because this is twelve years later but I am now in possession of the walrath grouping but all I have is his blues, white cover, pants and belt, his service jacket with shirt and tie and some other stuff. I was wondering if you see this what you did with his utility uniform, belts, canteen etc

 

Welcome to the forum, Taylor. 

 

The OP has not visited here since 2018. 

 

Good luck.