Confused about Military Record

I have my grandfather's service record which says he was part of the 3458th Ordnance MAM Co.

I don't question that, but I have his army patches, which shows he was in the 4th Army.


It also says he was involved in the Rome-Arno and Po Valley Campaigns, which match his to bronze stars on his ribbons.

I also have a few ribbons, one being the European North Africa ribbon.

I *think* he was moved from the 4th to another infantry/division, but haven't been able to find out more than that.

According to my grandfather before he passed, he was sent to North Africa (Morocco) then to Algiers, and took a LCT to Italy.

He also kept some German insignias, which I was able to trace to the 6th Panzer, which fits both his ribbons and where he said he was.

(I do believe if we could find his uniform, there may be newer patches on it)

I have already tried to get his records, but of course they were burned in 73.

My goal is to follow his steps with a time line, but in order to do that I need to find out where he was moved to.

Any ideas?

Much appreciated!

 

My grandfather also trained with the 4th Army.

I found this on Wikipedia:

Sorry if that inst very helpful. There are allot of knowledgeable people on this site. Who should be able to help you out. They have helped me tremendously.

 

That is exactly where my confusion lies. I've no doubt that he was in battle, I have the ribbons and the bronze stars to prove it, along with his pictures that he took as well as stories he has told.

Then there is the German insignia patches, as well as a hand painted flag with the swastika on it. He didn't talk much about the war to me, but he did to others.

I do know from some of his papers, that he was changed from one ordinance company early on to the 3457th company, but that is it.

Another site I found is this: Fourth Army if you haven't seen it.

 

Just a quick Google of 3458th Ordnance Co. and I came up with this:
Ben Myers Military Association and Alumni Database

IT directs to a Contact person for a VFW post in Pennsylvania.

Google of 3457th Comes back to an Obituary for a Maj. Who served in Europe with the 3457th Medium Automotive Maintenance Co.

I wouldn't get too wrapped around the axle with the 4t Army aspect. Alot of those guys went overseas , just not as part of the 4th Army.

 

Thanks for the link!

 

Thanks for the link.

I'm not too wrapped up with him being in the 4th. I just don't know where to go to find out who he ended up with. If his records were destroyed, is there ANY way to trace him in Europe?

I do know the dates of departure from America and arrival in North Africa, but that's it.

By my research, I think there's a possibility he was with the 5th or 8th armies, (which I believe later was renamed from the 8th to the 9th not to confuse it with British troops that were in the same area)

 

You should be able to cross reference the dates with unit arrivals and go from there.

What are the dates of his arrival?
How many campaign stars does he have on his ETO ribbon?

 

He Departed from Norfolk Virginia on March 31, 1944 and arrived in North Africa April 9, 1944.

He did say he was in Morocco for a while.

I know from pictures he took that he was in Rome in June and early July 1944.

I believed the battles he was in was the PO Valley and the Arno-Rome. He has 2 bronze campaign stars.

 

I think you are on the right track with the 8th/9th Army aspect

 

Awesome. Thanks for replying. I am not to adept at searching, so it's nice to have someone else verify that I am possibly on the right track.

I should mention that with his other insignia's is one I haven't placed yet.

German patches:
Tropical DAK Long Service Pip (Afrika Korps Long Sleeve)
Mountain Troops Sleeve BeVo (German Edelweis Mtn. Troops)
BeVo Breast Eagle
Panzer Korps Bullion (Eagle & Cockade Insignia) M-43 and side hat


American patches:
Anti-Aircraft Artillery Commands Western 1942
NOS 4th Army
Technician 5th Grade
HQ ETO USA COM Z

There is also one more that I haven't been able to identify, and to be honest I am not sure it is military or not, but it was with the rest of the military.

It is on Green wool, embroidered black raven/eagle on top with his talons going down to a circle. In the circle is a green piece of material, with a gold 8 on top. On either side it looks like maybe rifles criss-crossing it?

 

Can't get the pics to load. Will work on it tomorrow.

 

You are correct, the 3458th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company did participate in the following Campaigns:

Rome-Arno January 22-September 9, 1944
Po Valley April 5-May 8, 1945

The 3458th was also awarded a Mertitorious Unit Commendation for the period September 26-December 13, 1944. General Order #156, HQ, MTO, December 28, 1944.
I believe the "MTO" (Mediterranean Theater of Operation) is the key to your research. The 3458th served in Italy, assigned to the PBS. Peninsular Base Section was the logistical support entity of US Fifth Army in Italy. In my opinion, the only Army your grandfather was a part of in Italy prior to V-E Day was US Fifth Army.
Fourth Army was a Training Army in the USA during WW 2. Fourth Army never went overseas during WW 2.

Respectfully,
Richard V. Horrell

 

Thank you SO much. I have looked under the 3458th and couldn't find anything.