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Seeking contextual information for vintage photo

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by SpealingBeChampeon, Jun 19, 2017.

  1. SpealingBeChampeon

    SpealingBeChampeon New Member

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    FB_IMG_1497908053489.jpg
    Hi,
    I'm new here and was hoping the people on this board might be able to tell me just a little about my Grandfather's time serving during WWII based on this photo taken while he was enlisted.
    I'll try to keep this short; he died in a car accident while my mother was a teenager so I obviously never knew him, I'm not even sure what branch of the military he served in. When my mother posted this photo online yesterday, which was in our living room for years when I was a kid, it got me thinking maybe some WW2 historians might be able to tell me even a little about my grandfather's time in the service based on the photo.
    For example why is his uniform so dirty and who would wear that uniform (it doesn't have any markings so maybe this was taken during basic training?). If he was doing mechanical work what might be in his back pocket? I assume he's on a ship, maybe someone could even identify the type. Basically any educated guesses about the photo would be really appreciated.
    Thanks,
    J
     
    SpealingBeChampeon, Jun 19, 2017
    #1
  2. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    A long way from an expert in this but could it be merchant marine?
     
    lwd, Jun 20, 2017
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  3. KMZgirl

    KMZgirl Member

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    Can you tell us his name and birthday? Birthplace? Where he lived when he was enlisted or drafted? Some one might find more info that way. There are a lot of helpful members here.
     
    KMZgirl, Jun 20, 2017
    #3
  4. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Give us as much information as you can. Contact the National Archives for his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). Should be helpful.Veterans' Service Records
     
    LRusso216, Jun 20, 2017
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  5. KMZgirl

    KMZgirl Member

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    Could also be a passenger on the way to any place, and not staying onboard....
     
    KMZgirl, Jun 21, 2017
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  6. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Not much info to work with, but I do thing lwd may be on the right track with merchant marines. However, with so little to work with, it's just a guess.
     
    TD-Tommy776, Jun 21, 2017
    #6
  7. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Grubbies and clod-hoppers, I'd go with crew. The man works for a living. Not greasy enough for engineroom crew, but he'd do for a movie deckhand.
     
    OpanaPointer, Jun 22, 2017
    #7
  8. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

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    What OpanaPointer said...

    Clean, pressed uniforms are for lining the rail coming into port. Running a ship is unending work and this photo demonstrates that. More curious is the hand signal he's making. Anyone want to guess at what he's trying to convey?
     
    KodiakBeer, Jun 23, 2017
    #8

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