Pacific War - 162nd and 21st Infantry Info

I'm trying to piece together my Dad's WWII History. He didn't talk about it much.

I know he signed up with the 162nd Oregon NG July 5, 1940 - Went to New Guinea with the 41st Division shortly after PH. Was promoted to Sgt. Then he was apparently discharged to accept a commission and attend OCS in OZ in '43. Then it seems from return addresses on some war souvenirs (a japanese diary) that he went back to NG and the Philippines as a 2nd Lt with Company D of the 21st Infantry, 24th Division.

Then in 45 he came stateside through Santa Barbara, was assigned to Camp Howze as a 1st Lt., Company Commander, Company A, 42nd Infantry Training Battalion until the end of 45 when he was transferred to active reserve and sent home from Ft. Hood.

What I am trying to determine is where exactly he was during his years in the Pacific. Right now I'm only guessing. I also don't understand why he had both 41st and 24th Division shoulder Insignia. I don't understand why he had to be discharged from the 162nd to accept a commission. Was that SOP?

If anyone knows anything about the outfits listed above I would sure appreciate your help. (Hope this isn't too wordy for an opening salvo)

 

Wow - that was fast! Thanks Lou!

 

Thank you Slipdigit that's been driving me nuts.

 

I'm not sure that is correct. According to AR 670-1, a patch that is worn on the right sleeve is awarded to a soldier's unit (division) if he as been in combat for X days. We often call them combat patches. I'm just using the logic all of solider are told: "most rules are never deleted from the books but only modified."

I do know from reading that most units rarely wore their patches, since regulations tend to be junked when in theater.

 

Thanks Hans. That makes sense. Just like they were forbidden t keep diaries. The patches and units in question were not seen on Dad's uniform. They were found with his effects or indicated in intel release forms for some souvenirs (or in the few official army docs I have). Attached is a photo of some of Dad's patches and brass. Thanks guys.

 

How do you do Sir. Pleasure to meet you. I was hoping I could meet up with vets who can help me fill in some blanks in Dad's history and here you are!

I've been trying to make sense of where and when my Dad served and with what units. It seems like he was with the 162nd Regiment of the 41st at enlistment and final discharge from Active Reserve in 1950 - but apparently after OCS he may have been transferred to work with the rookies of 24th in Rockhampton. I know he had a girlfriend there. Did you change units after your commission? Was that common?

 

Patches are worn on the battle dress uniform (BDU) and the Class A uniform. You have to remember that the BDU and Class A were pretty similar during WW2. However, the BDU seems to be a name that grew out of the Vietnam conflict, so I'm not 100 percent sure what the term was for the uniform that wasn't the Class A.

What I need to do is track down the Army regulation that was in existence during WW2 - probably a lot of modified versions from 1940 through 1945 - to guide us in understanding the policy better.

I'll email these guys, since they have the fastest response time from any government agency ever to exist.
U.S. Army Center Of Military History

I'm not disputing that people didn't wear patches on the right sleeve. There are a few times I have read were a soldier that fell ill or wounded often times found themselves moved to a different unit to fill the ranks because said unit was under strength. It was my understanding that this served to (1) fill the the depleted ranks of said unit and (2) these soldiers were valuable because they had experience. What often times happened was that these troops were often times treated like green troops. I can understand where the patch was away to say "hey, I'm not a green n00b" and "I have been around and want respect." What I'm trying to convey is that this is against regulations, which aren't really enforced because people were more concerned with living and could care less. I'm sure there were some 90 day wonders that probably carried around all the regs. and couldn't wait to bust people.

 

Thank you Jack. That explains the green leaf patch from the 24th. I just found your thread on Hollandia - it's great that you are willing to share your experiences. My sister just found a bunch of photos from OZ & New Guinea. I'm attaching two photos of the Camp in Rockhampton. One seems to be a shot of the mess tent? My Dad's the guy with the paperwork bottom left in the shot of 5 GIs.

 

I have a quick question-Where or what is "OZ"?

A little light on the three shoulder patches. Your father would have worn the 41st Division patch on his left shoulder on his fatigues and on his class A's while assigned to that Division. When he was discharged and reassigned to the 24th Dividion he would wear the 24th Division patch on his left sleeve (current assignment) on his fatigues. (He would not wear the 41st on his right shoulder of his fatigues.) His class A's would have the 24th on the left sleeve and the 41st on the right sleeve, if that Division was in a combat area and able to sustain enemy fire directly or indirectly for a perion of 30 days and he was assigned to the 41st for at least that long. The Army Chief of Staff determines if a Division met this criteria. This was proper wear and especially true with class A's. I see a lot of photos from the Pacific that was pretty lax with their combat gear because of the climate conditions, but don't think it was so relaxed with the dress uniform.
When he was reassigned to the Replacement and School Command, he would wear that patch on his left, on his fatigues, and his class A's would have the School Command on the left and the 24th on the right--if he and the division met the criteria. If it didn't, he would then wear the 41st. (in other words, the last division that met the combat criteria). The right patch is called the combat patch. See AR-670-1 28-17. Both the 41st and the 24th saw a lot of action in New Guinea-bet your father saw his share. Good luck on your quest, and Jack, thank you for your service.