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My Father in Law, Staff Sergeant Donald L. Walker

Discussion in 'What Granddad did in the War' started by Garyjd, Dec 23, 2011.

  1. Garyjd

    Garyjd Member

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    I put this together for my Wife on Veteran's Day of her late Father. I'm in the process of trying to find out more about the circumstances in which he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. ~Gary
     

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    Garyjd, Dec 23, 2011
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    George Patton likes this.
  2. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Welcome Garydj. Please feel free to share more of your father-in-law.
     
    Slipdigit, Dec 23, 2011
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  3. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

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    Welcome to the forum!

    If he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, he would have received the Bronze Star with it. This policy went into effect in 1947, and all WWII CIB recipients were retroactively awarded the Bronze Star. If the Bronze Star was awarded for a specific combat action, the ribbon bar would have a "V" device ("V" for valor).

    Good luck searching for information!
     
    George Patton, Dec 23, 2011
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  4. Garyjd

    Garyjd Member

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    The Bronze Star award is dated August 24, 1944 but does not show a "V" device.
     
    Garyjd, Dec 23, 2011
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  5. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

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    I'm not entirely sure about the date procedures, but since the Bronze Star was retroactively awarded, the August 24 1944 date might be when he received his CIB.
     
    George Patton, Dec 23, 2011
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  6. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    General Marshall authorized the Bronze Star as of February 1944 for those that were awarded the CIB. Many were not aware of it at the time (my father was one). I don't know the circumstances for which he won the CIB, but he didn't get his Bronze Star until 1988. Bronze Star Medal
     
    LRusso216, Dec 23, 2011
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  7. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

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    Bronze Star itself was authorized in February 1944. It wasn't until 1947 it was retroactively awarded to all CIB recipients.
     
    George Patton, Dec 23, 2011
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  8. Garyjd

    Garyjd Member

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    Thanks for the info. I was unaware of the Bronze Star being awarded in that manner. On his discharge paperwork it cites the CIB but there is no date given. ~Gary
     
    Garyjd, Dec 24, 2011
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