David Donald Middleton, Jr. - Purple Heart

Hello: I'am trying to find some information on my Uncle - David Donald Middleton,Jr other then sending for his service record.

According to family he was with the US Army Corp of Engineers and was at the invasion of France on D-Day 6-6-1944.

His serial #31300821

Born 2-23-1924 in Arlington, Ma & passed June 1994 in Woburn, Ma.

I would like to know (other then service records) if it's possible to find out how & where he was wounded thus receiving the Purple Heart.

I've never heard any stories handed down thru family members regarding his service time. I only realized of his medal as there's a military plaque refering to his Purple Heart at the cemetery.

Thanks so much to all for any information - help and direction.

Sandi

 

Your best bet would be to try and get his records. The sooner you request them, the better. They'll let you know the cost up front, so you can always change your mind if cost is an issue. I would take family stories about D-Day with a grain of salt. That's not to say it isn't true, but stories can change over time to become something different than the original. If you can figure out what unit he was in, that will likely confirm or disprove the family story.

You may want to try contacting the county Recorder for his hometown, or wherever he would have gone after the War. Soldiers were advised to take their discharge papers to the county courthouse and put a copy on file.

I did a quick Google search and found a possible, but not likely, candidate for his unit. The 150th Combat Engineer Battalion website has a Sgt. David D. Middleton listed on their "Decorations" page as being a recipient of a Bronze Star. Unfortunately, it does not reference his ASN and he is not on the list of Purple Heart recipients. You could try contacting the someone from the website to see if they can help you determine whether it is the right David D. Middleton. It's a long shot, but worth a try.

 

Good Morning LRusso: Thanks so much for your reply, sorry to say I don't have any pictures but will talk to other family members and see if they may have any. So - so far I don't have alot to go on other then his Army Serial #31300821 and that he was a Purple Heart Recipient. As many Veterans he didn't seem to talk much about his time in the service. My mission will continue and I'll look into seeing if family may have any pictures. Have a great day & thank you again. Sandi

 

Good Morning: Thank you for your reply and all the information. I realize right now I don't have alot to go on but it's only my second day of trying & I don't give up easily!!! I'am in the process of talking to other family members to see if we can at least find out what Unit David may have been in. I think I may get the process rolling in sending for his service records as I'am sure they may take awhile. Thanks so much again and for taking the time to look and find the info on 150th Combat Engineer Battalion - I'll give that a look. Have a great day - Sandi