481st......What unit ?

[doyler]

One of the first DI's I found as a young collector.

 

Never been able to identify it

 

Thought it may be an Engineer unit due to colors and the lower white/blue reminds me of waves

 

Standing figure appears to be holding a rifle

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

 

 

 

[Tonomachi]

Just a wild guess but if the last number is a 7 instead of a 1 there was a 487th Port Battalion attached to the 5th Engineer Special Brigade during WW2. I have no idea what a 487th Port Battalion DI looks like or if they ever had one but the colors and theme sort of fit.

[Dogsbody]

Hi Ron, that 'thing' behind the soldier appears to me as some sort of bridging equipment so my guess would be an Engineer unit too.

 

Rene

[doyler]

Hi Ron, that 'thing' behind the soldier appears to me as some sort of bridging equipment so my guess would be an Engineer unit too.

 

Rene

Had the same thought it was a section of bridge.

 

Thanks for looking

[doyler]

Just a wild guess but if the last number is a 7 instead of a 1 there was a 487th Port Battalion attached to the 5th Engineer Special Brigade during WW2. I have no idea what a 487th Port Battalion DI looks like or if they ever had one but the colors and theme sort of fit.

Thanks.

[Patchcollector]

I'm thinking the 481st Light Pontoon Company

[Dogsbody]

Just found this obituary of mister Raymond L Kauffman. He was a member of the 481st light Pontoon company. Maybe it's the DI of this unit? Hope the link works.

 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fortwayne/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=160802642

 

Rene

 

 

 

 

[BILL THE PATCH]

That's a cool looking dui, definitely looks like a Bailey bridge section, with the waves I think you guys are correct. Looks German made?

 

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

 

[tredhed2]

German made - look at the numbers, type of enamel and paint, and the PB attachment style.

 

According to Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register (Pam 672-1) it appears your DI is for the 481st Engineer (Light) Ponton Company. They recd campaign credit for Central Europe.

 

Pontons were usually the small wood boats used to support the bridges; they could be represented by the soldier figure supporting the Bailey Bridge segment. As you said, Ron, the blue and white wavy lines would represent water, or rivers, in this case. FWIT - I think his helmet looks German......not a US helmet for sure.

 

Using that register, this is the only unit w/ overseas service that it could be, and it served in Germany. No Engr Bn with that unit (the port bn cited served on Luzon).

 

You had a good eye even as a kid!

[manayunkman]

That has to be a very rare DI.

 

Cool as heck too.

[doyler]

German made - look at the numbers, type of enamel and paint, and the PB attachment style.

 

According to Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register (Pam 672-1) it appears your DI is for the 481st Engineer (Light) Ponton Company. They recd campaign credit for Central Europe.

 

Pontons were usually the small wood boats used to support the bridges; they could be represented by the soldier figure supporting the Bailey Bridge segment. As you said, Ron, the blue and white wavy lines would represent water, or rivers, in this case. FWIT - I think his helmet looks German......not a US helmet for sure.

 

Using that register, this is the only unit w/ overseas service that it could be, and it served in Germany. No Engr Bn with that unit (the port bn cited served on Luzon).

 

You had a good eye even as a kid!

 

 

Thank you very much for the identification and added information.Greatly appreciated!!!

[doyler]

That's a cool looking dui, definitely looks like a Bailey bridge section, with the waves I think you guys are correct. Looks German made?

 

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

THanks Bill for commenting.

 

I thought German made as well due to the pin and metal work but wanted to see what everyone thought.

​THanks to all who looked and helped.

[Patchcollector]

Posted Today, 10:28 AM

Just found this obituary of mister Raymond L Kauffman. He was a member of the 481st light Pontoon company. Maybe it's the DI of this unit? Hope the link works.

http://www.legacy.co...y&pid=160802642

 

Rene

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw that obit.That's how I ID'd the DI.I just did a simple Google search for 481st Pontoon and it popped right up.Google is our friend

[doyler]

Posted Today, 10:28 AM

Just found this obituary of mister Raymond L Kauffman. He was a member of the 481st light Pontoon company. Maybe it's the DI of this unit? Hope the link works.

http://www.legacy.co...y&pid=160802642

 

Rene

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw that obit.That's how I ID'd the DI.I just did a simple Google search for 481st Pontoon and it popped right up.Google is our friend

 

 

Thanks again for the help and ID.

 

The DI was found at a local coin club my dad belonged to that met one Thursday a month and had a small auction at the end of the meetings.All types of things were for sale:coins,post cards,stamps,etc.Very little military but a medal or two at times.

 

Was really fun to go along and a privilege for me as it was a school night typically and we wouldn't get home til 10 pm.He would buy something or let me bid on something and spend some money I earned working or helping out on the acreage.