I found this group of paperwork along with some WWII photos which I believe were related to his family at a local flea market. His name was William C. Brown from New Albany, Indiana. He was enlisted just after WWI and served to the rank of Sergeant before being discharged in 1922. He saw service aboard the USS Henderson and the USS Savanna during his service according to his discharge. Enjoy!

 

Robert

 

Pic 1, Discharge side 1

discahrge side 2

Letter awarding him the Good Conduct Medal, Unfortunatly not with the document.

Another document

photos

Nice set of paperwork.

 

I looked at the muster rolls to see what he was reduced from Sgt. to Private in April 1920: they say "reduced to private by transfer." Now I know the Army had a system where your rank was carried in your current regiment and if you went to a new unit, you lost it. It sounds like the Marine Corps had something similar, although he was promoted to Sgt again before April 1920 was over.

very cool group

 

it looks like he got Sgt again the day after he was reduced, according to the document you show

very cool group

 

it looks like he got Sgt again the day after he was reduced, according to the document you show

 

I didn't notice the dates on the docs: that was a crazy way to do things.

now you should go on the search for his Good Conduct. rarely are numbered GCs IDed unless part of a bigger group

Yep! The Marine Corps operated the same way for awhile. Your rank was 'senority' and 'unit' dependent. That's why those early 1900 style chevrons only had the 3 Sergeant stripes 'connected' and a loose diamond, Gunnery Sergeant, or whatever type of device in the center. Same thing applied to them.