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Looking for help to decipher my Dad's "ENLISTED RECORD AND REPORT OF SEPARATION HONORABLE DISCHARGE"

Discussion in 'Military Service Records & Genealogical Research' started by RICHARD O'DONNELL, Dec 21, 2018.

  1. RICHARD O'DONNELL

    RICHARD O'DONNELL New Member

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    Recently requested and received my father's military (Army) record from the National Personnel Records Center. His record was damaged in the fire in 1973. The left side is a bit burned, but is still (mostly) readable.

    I can understand much of the information, But some things are not obvious. My questions are-

    3. GRADE-
    TEC 4
    What is that? He was a mechanic and truck driver. I assume that was some sort of Tech?

    6. ORGANIZATION
    OPN BN SEP CTR 1613 SCU
    No idea what that is

    30. MILITARY OCCUPATION SPECIALTY AND NO.
    This is where it is a but burned, but it could be "OCCUPATIONAL COUNSELOR 262"? Hard to read the first word, but the "262" is pretty clear.

    31. MILITARY QUALIFICATION AND RATE (e.i. infantry, aviation and marksmanship badges, etc.)
    EX W/RIFLE MM W/RIFLE

    33. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS
    I SERVICE STRIPE 2 OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-
    MIDDLE EASTER CAMPAIGN MEDAL AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
    WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL

    #? REASON AND AUTHORITY FOR SEPARATION (Far left of page is burned)
    ??V OF GOVT RR 1-1 (DEMOBILIZATION) AR 615-365 DATED 15 DEC 1944

    55. REMARKS (This space for completion of above items or entry of other items specified in W. D. Directives)
    ERC TIME FROM 19 SEP 42 TO 30 OCT 42
    LAPEL BUTTON ISSUED ASR SCORE (2 SEPT 45) 46 (? -hard to read))

    Any help in understanding/interpreting is appreciated!

    Thanks!
     
  2. WILD DUKW

    WILD DUKW Active Member

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    Hi Richard,

    Suggest you provide an image of your father's Report of Separation. It will help to have the overall context the report provides.

    Was your father a mechanic and truck driver during the war or afterwards? Here is MOS 262 description from TM12 426 p. 50.

    OCCUPATIONAL COUNSELOR (262)
    Assists in aiding soldiers who are about to be dis
    charged in finding proper employment, or in ob
    taining additional education or training; or in de
    termining proper military assignments for soldiers
    returned from combat.
    Studies each case to determine suitable occupa
    tions either in the Army or in civilian life which
    soldier might pursue, taking into consideration such
    factors as handicaps or limitations, training, expe
    rience, interest, and environmental conditions of
    assignment or employment. Administers or pre
    scribes tests to assist in determining capacity, emo
    tional stability, and occupational aptitude, and notes
    interests of individuals as revealed by such activi
    ties as hobbies, books read, or participation in
    sports. Evaluates results of tests and other data,
    analyzes soldier's "Military Occupational Special
    ties" for characteristics convertible to other military
    or civilian work. Takes into consideration handicaps
    or limitations, and makes recommendations for as
    signment or employment, or for additional training
    or education.
    May refer soldier to proper authorities within
    Army for-further consultation.
    Should have a thorough knowledge of occupa
    tions, essential worker characteristics, and oppor
    tunities for employment. Experience in phychological
    examining, vocational guidance, or employment
    counseling or equivalent training and experience
    very desirable.
    SUGGESTED SUBSTITUTES
    275 Classification Specialist
    289 Personnel Consultant Assistant
    290 Personnel Technician
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2018
  3. 693FA

    693FA Member

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    #3. Grade: He was basically a Sgt. but in a technical trade if you use the link you will see Sgt. stripes with a T underneath and a description of the rank.

    U.S. Army Rank Structure During WWII
     
  4. Takao

    Takao Ace

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    Operations Battalion, Separation Center - Been looking for 1613 SCU for a while, but have found nothing worth mentioning.
    Basically, the last unit he served with while waiting to be released from the service. Most often, it has nothing to do with what he did in the war.


    He qualified as "Expert" and "Marksman" with the rifle.



    1 Service Stripe denotes the time in service - 1 stripe for every 3 years.
    2 Overseas Service Bars = 1 year overseas (1 bar = 6 months).
    European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal - He went to the European or Mediterranean Theater.
    American Campaign Medal - He served in the continental US during the war.
    Good Conduct Medal - Self-descriptive.
    World War II Victory Medal - Self-descriptive.


    The Army regulation governing the reduction of troops.


    Basically, he was considered on Inactive reserve(the time from when he enlisted/drafted, and when he actually had to report to an Army Base for duty.

    Lapel button or pin issued to all troops on discharge.

    Adjusted Service Rating(ASR) Score = 46
    So, it looks like he just has his months of service & months of service overseas.
     
  5. RICHARD O'DONNELL

    RICHARD O'DONNELL New Member

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    Thanks so much for your quick reply! Fascinating information, especially about being an expert marksman. I remember him saying that when shooting his .45 automatic, he would have more success my throwing his gun at the target than shooting at it!
    My Dad was a mechanic and truck driver during the war. He was in college before and after the war. I never heard him speak about being a counselor in any capacity.
    I will attempt to scan the document and post it.
    Thanks again!
     
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  6. WILD DUKW

    WILD DUKW Active Member

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    Based on your father being a mechanic and truck driver during the war the MOS on his Report of Separation is probably a typo. I ran through the MOS for mechanics and truck drivers just in case the first number was off, but did not come up with any that end in *62. You can download a free copy of TM12 426 here. www.whs.mil/library/TM/TM12-4271944.pdf

    The double qualification is probably for the M1 Garand and the 1903 Springfield since they are different weapons. It should specify on his Report of Separation.
     
  7. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Here are the MOS codes for truck driver in WW2. None of the seem to match what you have. I would echo those who suggested you post his separation dcument.
    014 Automotive Mechanic (Second Echelon).
    316 Automobile Serviceman.
    345 Truck Driver, Light.
    378 Motorcyclist.
    735 Full-Track Driver.
    931 Truck Driver, Heavy.
    932 Special Vehicle Operator.
     
  8. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    "SCU" is Service Command Unit.
     
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  9. KMZgirl

    KMZgirl Member

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    Just a heads up, what I have to contribute may or may not be pertinent to your father's service. But, in my dad's case, when I asked what he did in WWII, he always just answered that he was "military police." He actually was an MP, but only stateside for the last 7 months of his 3 1/2 years of service. I'm thinking he did not want to talk about his time overseas. You might find the same thing with your father. He may have had many roles, with truck driver being only one of them, the easiest to talk about. Good luck with your search.
     
  10. WILD DUKW

    WILD DUKW Active Member

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    Military policeman had an MOS of 677. If that was his last job, I think 677 would have been the MOS on his separation papers.
     
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  11. KMZgirl

    KMZgirl Member

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    I was trying to explain that his father may have had more than one MOS. I personally was suprised to learn that in my dad's case. I didn't realize how they could change along the way. I'm still green after several years of trying to research my dad's service, but I still try to help others. Merry Christmas!
     

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