knifeguy.    Do you have contact information for the grandson?  I wonder if he has a picture of his grandfather and crew during the war... 

Maybe someone will find this interesting but I have found something that he wrote just before he died. He had dementia and this was wrote before it turned into full Alzheimers but most of the info seems correct, there are some obvious errors(like landind in a port in Kentuckey?) but this was interesting. I was wondering about his first service, he says he was in for one year and was discharged before being recalled later on, the dates are similar (July 9, 1941 and July 10,1939) so maybe his mind was slipping but as Ive said the only thing I could find online said "Philliphines department" and his commander Lester Maitland also served there. He mentioned 38 group but I think this should be 28 as thats where Maitland served. There are some spelling errors but I have left them. "BomBardom" was I think him trying to spell Bombardement. Also Queen Mary was Queen Elizabeth. If anyone has anymore info I would appreciate it especially concerning the medals he won? He always said they forgot about him and its sad to see that apparently his files got mixed up or lost or burned in the big fire I think in the 60's. The following is his own words:   Gordon U. Wooten Service No 34107263   Inducted under selective service July 10, 1939. Volunteered before draft, for airforce; Inducted FT McClellan Ala. Transferred to Camp Shelby Miss, for replacement, transferred to; Mcdill field Tampa Fla; 44 "BombBardom" 38 group under General Matelan(Maitland) command; discharged for one year service. Recalled to Mcdill field, transferred to Shreveport LA; under commander Green, CNL Green. My duties was Sqdn supply under the one year service other duties, general training; moved Shreveport LA. 386 "BombBardom" 86 group worked in post office and M.P. duty temporary service. Transferred to Lake Charles LA, general training rifle range and other types of training. 386 "BombBardom" 86 group transferred to Plainfield New Jersey, worked in Ordnance division and armament division. 386 "BombBardom" transferred to New York harbor, waiting for overseas transportation, left New York harbor on Queen Mary, myself and 10,000other men, and 1200 crew men 28th day May, 1943. Landed in Glasco(Glasgow) Scotland 3rd day June, 1943, was in storm 31st May, 1943, reported sunk, waves 18' to 21' feet high, lost all communication. Capt Boat announced, said she looks bad boys; is shes really troubled; but we have the best men in the world in charge this boat; gained communication next day about noon by plane and small boats. Was transferred from boat to Boxted field England, under Montgomery command 8th air force, General Montgomery. Transferred to 9th airforce under General Eisenhower command, for duration of war; my duties Ordnance and Armament. 386, 86 group was moved to Manchester England for the bombing of Saint Lo; and crossing of channel, crossed channel on C47; to Reams France. Moved to Antwerp Belgium during the bulge, was there for duration of war, was moved to a seaport in northern Belgium came back on a boat; inclean victory, down north sea, 3500 men landed in seaport in KY, Kentucky. Moved to FT McPherson GA for discharge; won 1 silver star 2 bronz. Took 30 days leave with pay, went back to Ft McPherson GA for final discharge they mixed my records up, went back 2 trips trying to get them corrected; finally got a letter they had no record they were all drunk, I just never did try anymore. When I was 60 years old got lung problem, VA doctors and other doctors declared me disable, drawed VA disability until I was 65 years old went on SSI they cut me off, gave me certain 30 days to protest it, I just never did.  Was overseas 19 months in Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Germany. We moved another time on other side Rhine River, don't remember the name.  We serviced the medium bomber Marauder; bomb handling, bomb loading, bomb fusing and service the 50 caliber guns on plane, keeping ammunition boxes filled and checking out guns to working order. 

That was my initial impression as well, and with the activity its seeing is a further indicator. Here's a shot of the front and one of the zipper. Unfortunately, the pull tab has come off.   

I second this wax. I use it for all metal items, from grenades to artillery. Best part is not all rust needs to be removed, just slather it on heavy over the rust and it seals it from air and moisture, stopping any further corrosion development. It remains clear, and if wanting to repaint later mineral spirits removes the wax.    The only minus is it changes the paint color slightly, it enhances it in my view. 

Question to/Requesting an Opinion, for fellow Ordnance Collectors.   Did/Could an APC Tank Round, dated 4/45, have made it to the ETO before May 8, 1945?

It's all Good! And welcome to the USMF Forum.    Buona Pasqua a te e famiglia!  

He may have received his CIB for his Silver Star action on July 12 1944 with the 330th Infantry Regiment along the Taute River.  Ferenbaugh was in temporary command of the Regiment after it was bogged down and Colonel Ernest L. McLendon was relieved of his command.

Yesterday I finally received my own original 743 tank battalion DUI. I bought it on an auction in ebay.   The DUI is in pretty bad condition so in considering to have it cleaned up again. I dont think I will have the enamel repaired.   What was however interesting is that the package that came along with the DUI has a text written on it saying it was from Uncle henry. The seller sadly enough wasn't able to help me find were he got it from. But my curiosity has been sparked to figure out who's DUI it was. I have someone I know from Facebook who is trying to find the personell rosters. But I guess it's going the be hard as Henry must have been a quite common name.   Regards,   Remi

> The thread certainly receives a great deal more useful and relevant history than my naive original question imagined.

Could be a VFW PIN