Hello guys. Doing a little research on a family member (and Sherman tanker) who was killed in Cologne. It had been my understanding that he was a driver, but on two separate Morning Reports his MOS is listed as 616. I haven't been able to find reference material that lists such MOS codes with any authority, at least none that do so and actually include 616. Casualty lists from other Armored Division unit websites list 616 as 'Gunner'. I was hoping someone here could clarify. Also is it safe to assume that a tanker who perhaps trained at one position would find himself at another depending on the needs of the particular unit? Thanks in advance for any help or guidance you can provide.
I don't know the MOS codes, but I always had the impression you were cross-trained in all positions, and they assigned you to whatever you did best. If your relative was best at being a gunner in training, but they needed a driver badly enough, they could just have him drive until someone else could replace him. At least that's what I understood.
trsooner, you timing is impeccable. I am at the moment compiling a list of US ARMY MOS codes from WWI using the original source document at our new website the WWII Open Research Group. We work is still in progress, but the entry is here: http://ww2.org/index.php?title=US_Army_MOS_Codes_(TM_12-427) It really depends on the date your documents were printed, as 616 looks like it was converted to three different but related MOS (1736, 2736, & 3736) on 12 JULY 1944. These three MOS were: 1736 Light Tank Crewman 2736 Medium Tank Crewman 3736 Amphibian Tank Crewman I am currently tracking down the precursor document to TM 12-427 that lists the full MOS, but this should provide some insight as it does align to his service as an Armored soldier.
Some additional thoughts. The battle for Cologne (Koln) occurred in March 1945, so there should have some records indicating the updated MOS. The battle was fairly well documented, with parts of it on video. The notorious "duel" at the Cathedral being the most well known. The video outlines a Sherman being destroyed by a Panther, and that Panther later being knocked out by a US Pershing M26. I have duel in quotes as it isn't in any sense a duel.
An SSN (a number) can cover several different MOS (a job title). By the time TM12-427 was published in Jul 44, SSN 616 had been superseded, so I can't look up the details on that one for you. To fully research your question, you would need to look at AR 615-26 (TM12-427's predecessor), the appropriate T/O&E (you don't say whether it's light or medium tank), and possibly the regimental S-1 reports (to see when new T/O&Es were implemented in that unit). As an example: with the exception of Tank #1 carrying the platoon commander, T/O&E 17-27, dated 18 Nov 44, shows all five medium tank crewmen as SSN2736 (SSN 616's replacement). Each crewman has a different MOS. A morning report would need to show MOS of losses so the replacement system could try to send the right specialty. To what extent that plan was adhered to is anyone's guess, but since a new qual was only a short paper shuffle away, it would have been a minor impediment.
The relative in question is Julian Patrick, he was the driver of the Sherman hit in the footage. About a year or so ago a German historian published a documentary about the battle with a focus on identifying those involved in the combat footage. It's from there I saw the morning reports (one incorrectly listed the 3 KIA as MIA, then another report with the correction), it was out of curiosity I looked up the MOS listed for Julian (616 on both reports), Lt Kellner (seen exiting the turret in the film) has a 1203 MOS (tank officer), and T/5 Speer 736 (driver). Under Julian's serial is also a "Dy 736," any idea what that means? First report: Corrected report: I'm pulling these MOS IDs from this site; http://www.7tharmddiv.org/31deaths.htm
Because the event was so publicized it's been challenging to sift through all the conflicting information out there. There is also some controversy surrounding it, and at more than one level. The only other confirmed crew member, John J Gialluca, was seriously wounded but survived. Correspondence with John's son is shown in the documentary, and seems to confirm that Gialluca was normally the gunner, but for reasons not explained was out of position in either the driver or assistant driver position. His discharge is also shown in the film, and clearly states "Medium Tank Gunner" as his MOS. The film speculates a photographer, Fred Ramage, may have been sitting in the gunner position instead. I don't know where this claim comes from and, to me, sounds nonsensical. I'll come back to this below. In 2014, as "Duel at the Cathedral" was being researched, my family, for the first time, became aware of this photo: "A view of dead American soldier Julian Patrick from Kentucky, U.S. 3rd Armored Division, killed in action inside his tank on March 6, 1945. (Photo by George Silk/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)" I don't believe it was ever published, only surfacing online by stock image sites. Assuming the caption is accurate we can assume Julian was the driver, at least at the time, while Gialluca was in the assistant driver position. Photo of Julian for the sake of comparison;
Correspondence with LTC Miller, CO of 2nd BN, 32nd Armored is brief, "Cologne is the only bitter memory I have of WWII. I have never told the story of Cologne from my perspective, and most likely never shall." The only other excerpt shown from this letter; Years ago I read an article that insinuated the tanks had moved forward without supporting infantry for reasons I do not recall. Because of this, medics remained back and the tank commander did not receive prompt medical aid that may have saved his life. As I've yet been able to find this information again, its no more legitimate than accusations the footage was all staged as propaganda for the Pershing, a real theory you will find if you google hard enough. I believe the "photographer in the turret" hypothesis stems from the fact Andy Rooney was present, witnessed the "duel," and wrote at least once about it in Stars and Stripes. Sorry for pulling you all down this rabbit hole.
No apology necessary. This is exactly the purpose of this website. I know there has been much research into this action, but let's try compiling what we can. I'd guess our best bet is to pull service records on all the men involved (as trsooner is doing) and see how that can help. I'll try to track down AR 615-26 (TM12-427's predecessor). Ideally I'll get a PDF with full text embedded, so it is searchable (via CTRL-"F") like the TM 12-427 document we have is.
Just an amateur here, but they don't appear to be the same person even after allowing that he may have lost a lot of weight between his training photo and March 1945. The hairlines don't appear to be the same, the angle of the eyes seem different, and the noses seem different. Again, I'm no expert and I'm sure someone else may have a different opinion.
This might be of some help. My brother was a crewmen In a light tank( Stuart) and Julian in a Medium, (Sherman) but believe it might work the same. As a Pvt. he was assistant driver ( 521), Pfc he advanced to mos 1736, driver, Tec 5 he was 1736 gunner, and Sgt. as tank commander, also 1736. It is strange his MOS number didn't change after he made driver. He was in the 2nd Armored and fought at Cologne With the 1st Army.
MOS code 616 shows with the following descriptions on the Mar42 Armored Bn T/Os; Gunner, antitank Gunner, radio tender Gunner, assistant driver Gunner, 37-mm Hope that's some help, and good luck with your search. Gary
Cheers Gary. I did several searches and I simply cannot find AR 615-26 (TM12-427's predecessor), I can't even find where to order it. If anyone has it I'd appreciate a copy, digital is best, but I'll be happy with a physical copy. I'm trying to compile an authoritative list of all US MOS from WWII with primary sources. I also know there were interim update documents as well between AR 615-26 and TM12-427, so anything on this topic is helpful.
I agree. Part of why the morning report listing T/5 Speer as 736 (driver) is interesting to me. Some documents report another Sherman being hit, but without casualties. Also the curve of the cast hull is discernible in the hatch picture, with very few cast hull M4s in all the accompanying footage.
Otto, looks like AFHRA has AR 615-26 (or something related to it - I can usually tell from an item's cryptic index card entries, but not this time). http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/126/695.xml $30 shipped. Many of their records are on CD; some still not transferred from microfilm. Worldcat.org shows it as 700+ pages, but only available at the Ft. Sill library. Some of AFHRA's documents are horrendously bad scans done many years ago prior to ditching the originals, but a typeset document ought to be legible (but not necessarily an OCR candidate). Very nice folks there. Small orders usually delivered in 3 weeks.
