We are visiting Normandy this September and I had hoped to follow my father's travels as he landed on Omaha Beach and ended up in the Rhineland. Fortunately, for me, it was day 2 or 3, not June 6 when he landed. Sadly, his records were destroyed in an fire at the National Archives in Maryland.
My question...I have his discharge papers but there appears to be no company designation. But this is listed after his battles and citations "GO 33 WD 45 as amended" Does anyone know what this means?
Posted by
3440 posts
General Order 33 and General Order 40 published by the War Department in 1945.
Not sure about "as amended", probably means just that.
Posted by
11570 posts
I certainly hope you can find out the missing info. We were able to trace my father’s WWII travels from his letters home and a book he was given by his Company/ Regiment. at the end of the war that had maps, photos, like a school yearbook. Was your father also in the Battle of the Bulge, the Ardennes Campaign?
Ancestry. com has a connection to Fold3.com
which appears to have military records. Perhaps his information could be found there. Good luck.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14741 posts
If you decide to try and search Fold3, be aware that it is a paid website. HOWEVER, I've signed up for their emails and seemingly every military related holiday they have a free 3-day period. I suspect they will have one over Labor Day even though it's not a military holiday.
Sometimes a local LDS church will have a family search library and will have volunteer helpers. They may have free access to Fold3 thru their link with the Family History Library in SLC. I understand it's free to access their help even if you are not a church member although I've not tried it myself.
Posted by
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3336 posts
Ellen,
Contact NEHGS (AmericanAncestors.org) in Boston, 617 536 6740. You can see if they can access appropriate military records to see if you can trace your Dad, and then you can decide whether to visit. I haven't researched any military history so I don't know, but they have access to so much on their computers as well as in their library. Their librarians/genealogists are extremely helpful. You can spend the day there for $20.00 if it seems like they will have what you need.
NEHGS: New England Historic Genealogy Society
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
It's worth the time and money to get as much information as you can about your father before you go. My father landed on Omaha on D-Day +1, and it has made my visits to Normandy so much more meaningful to know where he was and what he may have experienced. If you do find out his unit, try to hire a local guide (there are many listed in Rick's books) who will be able to tell you about the unit's history in Normandy. I have found the French so appreciative of America's sacrifices to liberate their nation, and when you tell them that your dad was part of the effort, they are even more welcoming. Have a great trip.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8972 posts
Do you have any old uniforms, patches, or photos of him in uniform?
Posted by
OP
Darmouth, MA, USA
377 posts
Thank you all, will search a little further.
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
893 posts
Ellen,
I would suggest you contact your local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) group. Some of them have great resources or can give you advice about where to look. The local one where my Dad was loved hearing from survivors and helping to look up information.
I know the fire at the National Archives was a big setback for many of us trying to look up records.
Good luck,
Mimi
Posted by
Chicago
2047 posts
You can also look at Ancestry.com though you will have to subscribe. I was able to find my great uncle's unit and you can go to their forums as well.