Hello all! I am so happy to find such an engaged and helpful group of people! I am investigating the experience that my Papa had during the Bulge, the job he did during the war, and what work he might have done/where when he continued his service in Europe after the war ended. Here's what I know about his service so far: Name: Sterling Wilford Grieve Number: 36 162 053 Private First Class – Service Company 424th Infantry From: Michigan (Born in Detroit, Lived in Hazel Park and Livonia) His Discharge Papers: (I’ll write verbatim, then add my questions in parentheses after) #6 Organization: Ser Co 424th INF #22 Date of Induction: 21 Nov 41 #24 Date of Entry into Active Service: 21 Nov 41 #25 Place of Entry into Service: Ft Custer Mich #30 Military Occupational Specialty and No.: Truck Driver Light 345 (Was he a driver during the bulge? What would he have driven? #31 Military Qualification and Date: Rifle Expert Carbine Expert * (What does the star asterisk * after "Carbine Expert mean? Also, if he was a driver, would he have also been a Carbine operator?) #32 Battle and Campaigns: GO 33 & 40 WD 45 NORTHERN FRANCE RHINELAND ARDENNES CENTRAL EUROPE #33 Decorations and Citations: Good Conduct Medal - American Defense Service Medal - American Campaign Medal - European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal - With 4 Bronze Stars - World War II Victory Medal – #34 Wounds Received in Action: None (He was wounded though, would this have happened after the war technically ended while he was working in Europe? I know he spent time in a hospital and have a portrait sketched of him while he was in the hospital) #38 Highest Grade Held: TEC 5 (What would this mean, and what bearing does it have for his experience during the bulge?) #55 Remarks: Lapel Button Issued ASR Score (12 May 45) 76 19 Days Lost Under AW 107 (I assume this means he was a bit unruly?) * Motor Vehicle Drivers Badge (What does this star Asterisk mean next to the badge? I've read that it conveys some connection to medals or awards?) From a photo (attached) I found from the Bulge Bugle submitted by H.W “Bill” Butler Jr.; My Papa SW "Grieve" is pictured under the nickname “Griever” and is listed as: Ammunitions Squad, A & P Platoon, Headquarters Company, 424th Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. “Bill” Butler Jr himself is listed as: Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 424th Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division Should I assume that he is part of this squad and platoon? If yes, what can I tell about the kind of work he did?
It would be safe to assume that he was in the A&P Platoon. Welcome to the 30th Infantry Division Web Site www.30thinfantry.org/history_docs/Battalion_Infantry_T-OE.doc Ammunition & Pioneer Platoon The A&P Platoon provided a pool of men who could undertake a variety of manual tasks, including distributing ammunition to forward positions. It was commanded by a 2nd Lt. with a Sergeant and a driver for the Platoon vehicle, which mounted a .50 cal. heavy machine gun. Each of its three 8 man squads was led by a Sergeant. The four NCO’s carried rifles, all other men carried Carbines, and the Platoon carried two bazookas for antitank defense..
The rank of TEC 5: Technician fifth grade (abbreviated as T/5 or TEC 5) was a United States Army technician rank during World War II. Those who held this rank were addressed as corporal, though were often called a "tech corporal". Technicians possessed specialized skills that were rewarded with a higher pay grade. The pay grade number corresponded with the technician's rank. T/5 was under the pay grade 5, along with corporal. Technicians were easily distinguished by the "T" imprinted on the standard chevron design for that pay grade.