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Re: Any advice on researching my Grandfather's service record?

Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:40 pm

flypa38 wrote:Hope I'm not putting up any info that would violate his or my Grandmother's privacy in any way.

Hi Johnnie,
As no one else has picked up on this, I'll comment, FWIW. The question of privacy is entirely up to you, and what you feel appropriate within your family - it's a good idea to discuss it up front with them.

Generally, the more you put up, the more you'll get out of it, and the more feedback you'll collect the more detail gets put in. Generally most people are helpful, and in stuff like this (notwithstanding other WIX threads at the moment!) generally not judgemental.

The only things to watch out for (and these are general comments, not related to your grandfather as far as we know) is that it's possible to find out - publicly - about crimes and misdemeanours (AWOL, glasshouse stuff) or that the subjects account doesn't gell with the recorded facts. Many people who went off to the war came back with tales and events that were slightly embroidered, enhanced or reconstructed to make a better 'fireside story'. A few just made stuff up, and many downplayed their actual role. And some memories were just unreliable. Obviously that doesn't seem likely in this case, but they are the main cautions I can think of. Others may well add more - and such general advice would be welcome!

Looks like you're getting along fine already, too, thanks to RAMC181.

HTH

Re: Any advice on researching my Grandfather's service record?

Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:41 pm

Johnny,

Can you have a browse through the paperwork you have for any references to any of the following units:

480th Sub-Depot
420th Service Group
846th Air Engineering Squadron

If your Grandfather was stationed at Debach, and wasn't directly assigned to any of the individual Bomb Squadrons' maintenence staff, these are the units I'd expect him to have been in at some point.

All the best,
PB

Re: Any advice on researching my Grandfather's service record?

Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:10 am

RAMC181 wrote:Johnny,

Can you have a browse through the paperwork you have for any references to any of the following units:

480th Sub-Depot
420th Service Group
846th Air Engineering Squadron

If your Grandfather was stationed at Debach, and wasn't directly assigned to any of the individual Bomb Squadrons' maintenence staff, these are the units I'd expect him to have been in at some point.

All the best,
PB


Sorry for the delay in my reply! Making military history of my own as the crew chief least likely to ever work on an airplane.......

Paul, I greatly appreciate the information. I'll continue searching as time permits and keep this thread updated as I can.
Unfortunately, though I've pretty much posted all the info on the paperwork I have aside from his name, serial number, and pay info!
I'm gonna try to search for a 493rd roster and see if I can find his name next......

Re: Any advice on researching my Grandfather's service recor

Fri Aug 20, 2021 12:41 pm

Well, it's been quite a while since I posted any updates.
Just learned a bit more. Based on some help from some great people, I found out he was with the 385th Bomb Group at Great Ashfield!
I have a lot more to learn, but this was a giant step in the right direction!
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