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WWII soldier named foot locker

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#1

Recently purchased this footlocker. Has original working lock and key. Appears to be WWII. Curious about the time period. I can partly decipher the address. Given that this was property of a PTO soldier in the Philippines, I'll assume it is late war. Could it be early or pre war? I've tried some basic research on the soldier but can't come up with anything. It's in very good condition. If it has no collector value, it is at least a usable trunk. However, I believe there is some value in these old foot lockers.

Complete top View.jpg

Top view address.jpg

Top View open.jpg

Side View.jpg

#2

Nice find! I have several of the same type.

#3

Could this be Vietnam era?

I found something online about a Willard S. Titus III

Upon completing his university degree through NESEP, he was commissioned as a "permanent ensign in the line of the Navy" on October 3, 1967.

That might explain why his military service is not yet publicly available.

  • Author
#4
1 hour ago, JMRICH53 said:

Could this be Vietnam era?

I found something online about a Willard S. Titus III

Upon completing his university degree through NESEP, he was commissioned as a "permanent ensign in the line of the Navy" on October 3, 1967.

That might explain why his military service is not yet publicly available.

ASN means Army Service Number. T/3 is a WWII Army enlisted rank (discontinued in the early 50's). The insignia is 3 stripes up, one rocker below with a T (for Technician) in the middle. Similar to a Staff Sergeant, but the T makes it different.

#5

Here's some info that I hope will help:

His draft card:

Titus Draft F.png

Titus Draft B.png

Ancestry

Some morning reports which include him, sourced from this NARA site (which only goes up to Dec 44 at present):

https://catalog.archives.gov/search?page=1&q=18103116

During Sep 43, he was assigned to the 775th Ordnance Company (Light Maintenance) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO:

Titus MR Sep 43.png

During Dec 43, same unit and location:

Titus MR Dec 43.png

#6

By Dec 44, he was with an 8th Service Command unit at Fort Sam Houston, TX as a Pvt. Obviously, he was no longer with the 77th Ord Co, (LM), which had departed for the ETO with the 75th ID.

Titus Dec 44 1.png

Titus MR Dec 44 2.png

As mentioned earlier, NARA MRs for 1945 are not yet available on-line. Perhaps, these could shed some light on his deployment to the PTO.

#7

His VA BIRLS:

Titus VA BIRLS.png

Ancestry

His Obit:

Titus Obit 2.png

Titus Obit.png

Ancestry

Dan

#8
25 minutes ago, jumpship said:

By Dec 44, he was with an 8th Service Command unit at Fort Sam Houston, TX as a Pvt. Obviously, he was no longer with the 77th Ord Co, (LM), which had departed for the ETO with the 75th ID.

Titus Dec 44 1.png

Titus MR Dec 44 2.png

As mentioned earlier, NARA MRs for 1945 are not yet available on-line. Perhaps, these could shed some light on his deployment to the PTO.

Should read: 775th Ord Co (LM)

  • Author
#9

Wow! That is some fine detective work. What resources did you use? FWIW, I purchased it at a yard sale in North Canton. I live near there. The seller was not a family member. She said she bought it at an auction. Sad that a family would just discard their family history.

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