Jump to content

New Member - Vietnam Vet, ASMIC Mbr, 1st PTG patches


1CDarty
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hello Militaria:

 

My dad was career Army, as was I. Dad was a Coast Artilleryman on Guadalcanal; Vietnam was my war. I served in the 2/19th FA in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 1970-71. My highlight was the time I worked with the outstanding troopers of 2/7th Inf (Garryowen).

 

In the early 1950's my dad was stationed at the Presidio of SF, and I bought a shoebox of Army patches at the thrift shop...adding to a small collection of patches I had from cereal boxes (patches were cereal prizes at that time). 50 years later I got out that shoebox and started organizing a collection. I joined ASMIC, and look forward to each issue of the "Trading Post." I especially like Army shoulder patches that were WORN by soldiers - the more thread hanging off the patch, the better.

 

In that shoebox were 3 patches worn, I believe, by a soldier assigned to the 1st Provisional Tank Group in the CBI theater. Researching the 1PTG is how I stumbled onto this Militaria Forum.

 

I look forward to learning more on this forum.

 

1CDarty

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for asking.

My dad was with F Battery, 3rd Battalion, 244th Coast Artillery Regiment. In February of 1943, after Guadalcanal was under US control, his unit was re-designated 259th Coast Artillery Battalion (Separate), and assigned to the Americal Division for the remainder of the war on the Pacific.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for asking.

My dad was with F Battery, 3rd Battalion, 244th Coast Artillery Regiment. In February of 1943, after Guadalcanal was under US control, his unit was re-designated 259th Coast Artillery Battalion (Separate), and assigned to the Americal Division for the remainder of the war on the Pacific.

 

I have always thought the Coast Arty was forgotten, especially in the Pacific.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As I studied the units involvement in the fighting on Guadalcanal, I learned that the 244th coast artillery (while also engaging targets off the coast) played a large role in taking out Japanese ground based artillery units that had inflicted a lot of damage on US Marines. The 244th was awarded a Navy Presidential Unit Citation (signed by Frank Knox, Sec of Navy). If you ae interested I have a copy of the unit history recorded by the 244th during their time leading up to and on Guadalcanal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...