Researching a “Golden Lions” 106th Inf. Uniform + NARA results finally! (2 year wait)

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Here’s a photo of a uniform I’ve had for a few years.  No name in the uniform but what I found in the pocket was a “treasure-trove” … bill-fold wallet and small leather organizer, along with “Soldier’s Individual Pay Record” booklet, foreign money (Italy, France, Belgium, Germany) post war driver’s license, National Guard service number, etc..  Also included was what looked like a white folded piece of fabric/canvas?  Turns out it’s an invasion armband, with writing on the back (“Southern France, Aug. 15, 1944”).  I currently have it framed and will look for photos I took before framing.
 

The armband was confusing.. I thought the 106th was a brand new “green” division….. I’m guessing, he was a transfer from his previous unit.  His date of enlistment was April 1941 (Ft. Jackson, S.C.) and according to his pay record booklet, he entered “Foreign Service” in April 1942.  His pay book stops at December 1943, no entry for January 1944 and picks up and ends with February 1944.  He was “released” June 4, 1945 after three years of service.
 

In July of 2020, before the “Covid” shutdown I sent off to NARA for the veterans records… well, I got an email yesterday with a link to his DD214, just the DD214, no other records.  Luckily, it did confirm the veteran was with the 106th ID (Co. C 424th infantry) at time of separation but nothing else.  Some of the info on the DD214 doesn’t quite line up with his uniform.  It only shows “Germany” for his campaigns, but does say EAME with one star (uniform ribbon rack has 2 stars) and a good conduct).  DD214 confirms CIB on uniform.  DD214 also says he was a Tech 5, but the uniform shows only 2 stripes.  Military occupation was “baker” (017).

 

During the two year wait to hear back from NARA, I did some googling and searching online.. running different names etc.  I did find an online interview that was done with his wife who was born and lived in Belfast, Ireland.  They met there during the war.  There was no mention of what unit or division he was with.  (I was able to locate some family members, but struck out.. no answer, no reply).

 

Since I have the armband framed, I would like to make a notation with it and list the unit he was with during the operation.  Does anyone have any ideas of how to narrow down his unit or division?  
 

Thanks!

 

 

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Here’s a copy of his Pay Book..

 

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Hoping someone might be able to help with US troops in Northern Ireland…. trying to determine which Division this veteran was originally assigned.

 

Thanks

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Still researching this one.. from what I can figure out he might have been originally assigned to the 34th ID that was sent to Northern Ireland in April/ May 1942. His records show he “entered foreign service 30 April 1942” (DD214: departed 30 April, arrived 12 May 1942).  He met his future wife while stationed in the Belfast area of Northern Ireland.

 

8 ship Convoy.. NY, Halifax, No. Ireland (April 30, 1942 - May 10, 11, 12)

 

“Aquatania” - 34th ID (135th Inf Reg, 125th FA Bat, 185th FA Bat, 135th Inf Reg Band)

 

”Mexico” - 34th ID (Co. K, one platoon, Inf Reg, Co B 109th Engineer Combat Bat. 
 

“Cathay” - 34th ID (168th Inf Reg, 109th Engineer Combat Bat, 175th FA, 185th FA)

 

”Christobal” - 34th ID (125th FA)

If anyone can help figure out how he went from Ft. Jackson S.C, to Northern Ireland, participated in Operation Dragoon and ended up with the 106th ID, I sure would appreciate the help…

 

thanks!

 

 

 

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Does anyone have any suggestions on determining which unit he was assigned while in Northern Ireland?
 

thanks!