Another Mystery for the Masses

I'm trying to find out what units two of my relatives served in. They are twin brothers and are cousins to my maternal grandmother. The family story is that one or both "served under MacArthur." That's about all I had to go on until I started doing ancestry. I was able to get the following information, but no info on assignments, theater, etc. perhaps someone here has that information?

Here's info on my relatives.

Camille J. Ortego
b. 22 Feb 1922
d. 26 Jan 2006
Enlistment Location: New Orleans, LA
Enlistment: 11 Oct 1942
Army SN#: 38313320

Emile P. Ortego
b. 22 Feb 1922
d. 19 Jan 2004
Enlistment Location: Montgomery, AL
Enlistment: 4 Feb 1941
Army SN#: 04040455

 

Need and edge piece to start this puzzle....

I will throw some stuff out with the hopes that others will strive to prove me wrong.

Judging from the serial numbers:

Emile enlisted in the Army in 1941 "0" first numbers correspond to Regular Army enlistees.
Camille was drafted in 1942.

This is a list of the Army units in the Pacific theater during WW2
http://www.historyshotsinfoart.com/USArmy/DisplayTheater.cfm?t=pacific

You could go through that list and find which was activated after, or just prior to, October 1942 and that could narrow down your list.

You could also look through the same list and see when they deployed to the Pacific theatre.

You need to locate something with an APO address or discharge papers; those are good corner pieces.

 

First, if you haven't already done so, try to request their OMPF (Official Military Personnel File) from the NARA. The thread Requesting Copies of Military Personnel Records can help with that.

While you are waiting to hear back from the NARA, I would suggest contacting the local historical societies or genealogical societies for the county or town they were from. It was not uncommon for soldiers to be written up in the local newspapers, sometimes with photos. I found out my great uncle was in the 129th Infantry Regiment from an article about him in his hometown newspaper. I actually got that article through a family member who had found it in a scrapbook that was handed down to them, but I've seen the same article at the local historical society as well.

Photos of them in uniform may also provide clues. If they are wearing their unit's DUI (Distinctive Unit Insignia) or SSI (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia), that can also be very helpful.