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Post by Todd Mayer on Feb 1, 2013 10:22:41 GMT 8
I recently found the 503d PRCT Hertiage Battalion website. My grandfather was Richard E Gruver. According to the info I have found, he was a member of F company mortar platoon, 2nd squad. He passed away on June 11, 1994. He never talked much about his time in service except for once. Duing that conversation, he talked about his Platoon Sergeant "Red Horse". He also made mention of the time they blew up a supply tent with mortar flares they had fired.
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Post by westernaus on Feb 1, 2013 10:41:17 GMT 8
Welcome to the website Todd Mayer . Because of the mammoth size of this site. We hope you will find a lot of interesting information in regards to your Grandfather and other people he served with .
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Post by EXO on Feb 1, 2013 11:47:23 GMT 8
Sorry Todd, your details weren't available when you initially signed on. Please sign on again and your membership of the forum will be approved.
S/Sgt Johnnie "Red Horse" Phillips is often mentioned throughout the site, and he must have been a true personality. That indicates your father was with the Mortar Platoon of "F" Co. He may well have been on top pf the magazine on the "Night of A Thousand Hours" described by Lt. Calhoun. Some of our members were lucky to have been on Corregidor with Paul Turley, who was also in the Mortar Platoon. Thus, you should read "Bless 'em All" which provides a detailed story of "F" Company's experiences and personalities.
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Post by tmayer on Feb 4, 2013 8:47:44 GMT 8
Here's a picture of my Grandfather, Richard E Gruver. Looks like a new trooper uniform that was just issued. Can anyone provide a date and possible location?
Update.. After more research, the picture was taken in the same location as the Bob Thomas and Paul Turley picture posted in this thread. The back is stamped June 1942 (from the photo developer). I have 5 pictures in this series with the same/similar background and the same date stamped on the back.
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Post by tmayer on Feb 8, 2013 11:56:15 GMT 8
Here's a picture of Virgil Henry Short. According to the records, he served in 503d Company F Mortar Platoon 2nd squad with my grandfather Richard E Gruver. Sad to say, but it appears he passed on Juanary 27, 2013. His full obituary is posted under TAPS. (Photograph from the Obituary posted by Holmes~Coffey ~ Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Ok)
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Post by tmayer on Feb 11, 2013 3:47:35 GMT 8
The "Cat Patch". My Grandfather Richard E Gruver kept it tacked to a piece of wood in his garage, a place where he spent many hours. As child, everytime we went over to my Grandparents house, he would always be out there. He was carpenter by trade. He was always building "stuff". Attachments:
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Post by tmayer on Feb 12, 2013 8:46:29 GMT 8
503d Company F Mortar Platoon Leader Clinton D Miller passed away on August 30, 2012. Below is an excerpt from his obituary. “He graduated from high school in Providence and entered the U.S. Army, serving as a first lieutenant during World War II with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. Clinton was wounded in the Battle of Corregidor and while recuperating at Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas, he met his future wife, Lavanche, who was his nurse”.
I have posted the full obituary under TAPS.
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Post by tmayer on Feb 19, 2013 11:32:15 GMT 8
A photo of my Grandfathers. The back is stamped with the date June 1942 in red (from the photo developer). There is no other info listed. Perhaps the picture was taken at Ft. Bragg, N.C.? The gentleman on the right looks to be Paul Turley. The gentleman on the left I cannot positively indentify. However, his likeness appears in several photos alongside Paul Turley in “The Paul Turley Collection” index page 5 503D PRCT Heritage BN. Website. Upon closer inspection of the photos on index page 5, the name “Thomas” appears to be listed above the left breast pocket. Could this be Robert W. Thomas of 503d Company F Mortar Platoon 2nd squad? Here's picture of my Grandfather Richard E. Gruver (below). The picture was probably taken within minutes of the one above by Paul or Bob.
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Post by Registrar on Feb 19, 2013 13:42:43 GMT 8
My apologies for cutting this thread a little short, Todd, but I believe your research to be correct. Yes, it does look like Paul Turley on the right. And the prospect of that being "Bob" Thomas is also highest. I have added the name Bob Thomas to those image pages 05_07, 05_08 & 05_09, together with an acknowledgment of thanks to you. Paul Turley and Bob Thomas were both 2nd squad, Mortar Platoon, together with Richard Gruver, Virgil Short, Art Schumacher, and James Smith.
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Post by tmayer on Feb 26, 2013 23:22:57 GMT 8
I recently received my copy of “BLESS’EM ALL” A pictorial companion to the history of the second battalion, 503d P.I.R. Wow! Excellent publication chalk full of great pictures with text. For those of us that had a family member in Company F, Second Battalion of the 503d, this book is a must have. It’s great for anyone with an interest. I’ve already flipped through the pages about 6 or 7 times. Each time, I notice something different in the pictures. I was hoping that a picture of my grandfather might turn up. So far nothing obvious. For all I know, he could be one of the guys with their backs to camera or was just standing out of range when the picture was taken. Either way, it helps me understand his experiences and tells me his story that he is not available to tell now. The book did help me identify two pictures in my grandfather’s collection. The picture on page 53, titled “Landing Field B” and the picture on page 63, titled “Approaching the Hospital”. I can now confirm at least three pictures he has of his time on Corregidor. The other picture (attached), I was able to indentify within “Ghosts of Corregidor”. A picture that was listed in the Paul Turley collection.
The pictures title is “The Boundary Line”. According to the description, it’s a picture of the married quarters for NCO’s and enlisted men. The building is located in Landing Field A. On the far side of the building, the Japanese were in control. A picture and with full description can be found here: corregidor.org/ghosts/turley/t15.htm
I was told by my Grandmother, that my Grandfather attended one of the early “reunions” held in Chicago shortly after the war. I’m sure there was some picture trading going on. In his home, he has on display a set of tall drinking glass tumblers with the cat patch logo of the 503d. If I recall, the logo is yellow and black. My guess is that these glasses were offered for purchase at some point in time by a member or members of the 503d. Thanks to all who made this book possible.
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