My name is Steve Joslin. I am 64 and have never served, however, my father served in the Army, 2nd Armored Div., battle of the bulge, from Jan., 1945 on. He was in the infantry and carried a machine gun. His name was Charles "Ben" Joslin, reached the rank of Tech. Sergeant. He has been gone for 25 years now and when I was younger, I wasn't very curious about history and Dad never talked much about the war. Now that I am older I am increasingly more curiuos about what he went through. I have his discharge papers, but that is all there is. The govt. lost his military records in a fire. Many years ago, someone stole all of his ribbons, patches, any metals and souvineers that he had. Can anyone tell me where I might be able to get info. about his service to our country? Thank you.
Welcome, service is not a pre requisite here don't worry about that one. The only concern I have is that I'm being surrounded by yankees....Skipper check his pistols in before he enters the saloon.
There is a place on here, can't remember where, but someone will, that tells you how to get his ribbons/medals replaced. My grandpa's were also stolen and I was able to get them back and have a shadow box made. Good luck There are lots of people on here that can help you find more info if you know his Division information (on discharge papers I believe)
Welcome, Steve. If you can scan and post your Dad's discharge papers that will give folks here a place to start. Meanwhile, here's a link to the Order of Battle for the 2nd AD: 2d Armored Division If you scroll about 1/3rd of the way down, to Composition, that indicates the various units which made up the 2nd. Your Dad could have possibly been in the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment? Here's a bit about the 41st (just in case): 41st Armored Infantry Regiment Unfortunately, the forum on this site is defunct. I checked the net for any other useful website's about the 2nd. There are several but the history info is pretty general. Sadly (I seem to be finding this alot lately) some of the sites appear to be pretty much inactive and the forums are completely offline. Sure hope the younger generation will pick these sites up and keep them alive for the future. Others here are much more knowledgible than me with the procedures for digging further into the militaries archived records.
Welcome to the forum, Steve. If you can provide any info at all about your father and his service, I think you will find that you will get much more in return. A name and hometown would be good to start with, at the very least. Also, as others have suggested, his DD214 or discharge papers if you have them. I look forward to reading more about your father's service to our great nation. All the best to you!
Steve, http://www.archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals.html http://www.military.com/benefits/content/records-and-forms/military-awards-medals-decorations.html The links above are just a starting place for you to get started on the medal replacement. I f you have his DD214... I would start with the NPRC in St. Louis..may take some time but shoot its the government! Anyway, welcome! Regards Clint
Thanks to all for your responses. We have recently moved, so it might take some searching, but I will find his discharge papers and get that info. out there to all of you. Thanks again for your help.
Hello Steve from a fellow Ohioan Army Records used to be stored in St. Louis but there was a big fire I believe in 1973 that destroyed many..as many have mentioned DD 214 is key...every soldier that ever served has one...another lead might be unit he served with, search VFW for reunions and enroll local county Veterans Association for help....letter to State Representative might be helpful as they have people working for them that can track this kind of stuff down and it is an election year...
