I had to do some major photo restoration on the above photo. It's a rather small photo, probably taken at an instant photo both shortly after my grandfather's discharge.
Last fall my mother and her sisters had the arduous task of cleaning out their childhood home, the home of my Grandparents. My grandfather had built the house in 1949. My grandfather died in 1994 and my grandmother continued to live in the house until her death last year. During the process, I had advised my mom to be on the lookout for any military related documents, photos, etc.. I know there was still some “stuff” there to be found, particularly a large vanilla envelope.
Several years ago I had made a special visit to my grandmother’s house to look at old photos and any old military documents my grandfather had. After looking at some photos, my grandmother handed me a large vanilla envelope. The envelope contained various military documents. As looked through documents, most of the items did not fully register with me. As in, I was not sure of the significance of the items or what they really were. The main piece of information that had stuck with me after looking through the documents was that my grandfather had served in company F. His name was listed on a roster of those who participated in the battle(s) to retake Corregidor. From this information, I was able to find out more details on web. As is turns out, the website was the precursor to the Heritage Battalion (and I remember it looking a lot different than it does now).
I must admit, I was also hoping my grandfather’s medals and jump wings would turn up. I had never seen them and never heard anyone ever mention them. I thought to myself, “Once received, those items would never be given up by those who earned them.” So, I went on the assumption that perhaps they were destroyed in a fire that occurred at the residence my grandparents were living in, during the winter if 1948.
After a few days into the cleaning, my mother called me and told me that they had found envelope with various military documents in it. Needless to say, I was excited. Over the years, I had forgotten what all was contained in the envelope and it would all be new to me again. Only this time, I was more educated on the subject. The next day I packed up my computer and scanner and then headed over to my grandmother’s house. I wanted to document everything before the items were potentially dispersed.
To my surprise the envelopment had contained more than I had remembered and the roster I was looking at was from a book called “The Return to Corregidor” by Harold Templeman. It was all there… discharge papers, jump certificate, newspaper clippings, patches and various other military certificates.
While I was scanning the documents, my aunt crawled out of the attic with a rolled up bag in here hand. To our incredible surprise, the bag contained my grandfather’s fully decorated military uniform and the suite he wore, when he married my grandmother in 1947. What can I say, it was amazing. Later that day I took the uniform outside and took some pictures of it. I though it may be the last time I ever see it. Below are those pictures. A few days later, I received a call from my mom and her sisters. They had decided to give the uniform and documents to me to kept and preserve. Needless to say, the uniform and documents mean the world to me.
1- Honorable Discharge Patch
2- Presidential Unit Citation
3- Overseas Service Bars- Each bar represents 6 months service in a combat zone.
4- Service Strip (hash mark) - Each strip represents 3 years of service.
1- Parachute Wings with 2nd battalion backing
2- Combat Infantry Badge
3- ?
4- American Defense Medal
5- Good Conduct Medal
6- Asiatic Pacific Medal with 1 bronze arrowhead and 3 bronze stars
7- Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 bronze star
8- World War II Victory Medal
1- Airborne Command Patch- Overall command of US parachute and glider forces from 1942-1945.
2- Army Sergeant Insignia
1- The USARPAC Insignia- The insignia of the U.S. Army, Pacific. The patch was originally designed and approved for U.S. Army forces Pacific Ocean Areas on October 18, 1944. The patch contains a red arrow and white stars on a blue field. The red arrow of war denotes the valor and self-sufficiency of the forces of the command. The blue field represents the vast expanse of the command area. The white stars portray the North Star, Big Dipper and the Southern Cross, which locate the command headquarters. *
The stars of the insignia also recall a key date in the history of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Armed Forces in the Pacific. The total of 12 stars represents the month of December, the seven stars of the Big Dipper, the 7th day, and the four stars of the Southern Cross plus the North Star, the year '41: 12-7-41 - December 7, 1941, the date of the United States' entry into World War II.*
*Source-
www.usarpac.army.mil/insignia.asp