Hey everyone,

 

I've had this group for almost a year now but just hadn't gotten a change to post it. It belonged to Paul H. Edgren a Chicago native.Most of the information I give was from his discharge, letters, photos and other paperwork in the group. He was born to Swedish immigrants in Chicago, IL in 1918 and graduated from Bowen High School in 1936. He then worked for a printing firm. He entered the army in April of 1943, and went to artillery OCS. He also had to brothers that were in the service Arthur who was an infantryman who would later be killed in action in 1944 serving with I company 135th Inf. Regiment and David who was a member of the ATC. He initially served with the 151st FAB of the 34th Division and for occupation he served with the 338th FAB of the 88th Division. From his discharge it states he was a Forward Observer and later a Supply and Evacuation Officer. There are quite a few photos but I just wasn't able to get them all. I know he passed away in the 90's but beyond the info I was able to piece together I wasn't able to get much else. Well hope you all enjoy! This is probably one of my favorite groups. Even though I'm from Indiana, I live only a little ways from Chicago so I always like stuff to Chicagoland guys.-Ben

 

His uniform showing service with the 34th and 88th Division

 

He earned 3 battle stars EAME ribbon

 

His custom 88th Division patch with theater made Blue Devil's scroll. I've always like the variations that the 88th division had with their insignia. I know I've seen the 88th Div. patch with different branch pipping around it.

 

His ike

 

Patch and DI

 

Close up of the DI. I've heard this is a rather hard to find DI can anyone back that up?

 

Him wearing the exact same ike in this photo

 

In service with the 151st FAB

The top part of the trunk contents. I didn't photograph the bottom as there was only some longjohns and socks in it!

 

This was from their church directory in 1946. I'd love to find his Purple heart, but he left a wife and child so I'm not so sure of it turning up.

 

His brother also worked at the Whiting, IN Standard Oil (now BP) which is only a short drive away from my house. Also a 325th GIR officer was killed on June 6th also worked there before entering the service.

 

Two Marines were also KIA from there church. One was a paramarine.

Nice set of uniforms! I always like seeing 151st FA stuff - they were a Minnesota National Guard unit called up for WW2, they still exist today.

 

MW

Yes very nice indeed.

 

I have an infantry officers group and by chance a full foot locker from an enlisted 34th Artilleryman who made North Africa but was shipped back state side on sic roll then assined to a Coastal Artillery unit.Need to get his records.

Thanks guys! Me and my dad even went to take a look at the church he went to. It's on Chicago east side.

Very nice group.

 

I love 88th stuff and had several groupings at one time.

 

That patch with the red trim is great.

 

M

Ben,

 

That's a really nice group!

Very nice and thanks for posting. MN, Iowa and the Dakotas are Red Bull Territory!

Kurt

The complete trunk groupings are getting harder to find and this is definitely a very good one to keep!

 

Justin

Ben,

Thanks for sharing are the DUI's theater made? If so is it possible to post close-up pictures of the front and rear of them?

Regards,

John

that's a keeper! Gotta love those Trunk groupings!

Thanks for the complements guys! I'll have to get a shot of the back of the DUI later as I pretty much just got back from my first day of the new semester which was pretty hectic.

I will only pile on what others have said.....great grouping! Interesting that companies printed these memorial magazines for their employees killed in service. There were a lot from local companies here in the South Bend area......Dodge, Wheelabrator, Bendix, Ball Band, etc.

 

Great grouping! Shoot me a PM, maybe we can hook up sometime.......

Hi there! This is my Uncle Paul! Please get in touch with me if possible! JJT526@gmail.com

or 847-951-3830