WW11 service

[gsw]

Can any one direct me to the correct web address to research the following.
I have my fathers ww11 medals and amongst his effects is a coast guard pass. Family story is that he served with the US coast Guard in ww11 and trained as a salvage diver in New York. Any help appreciated
Thanks in advance
garry

[Woodmonkey]

I'll PM ollie to come in and look at this - he'll have some ideas on where you can look.

[m60-gunner]

Medals of America has descriptions and photos on their web site and in their catalog.

[cec]

Here is a link to the Coast Guard, you might be able to find some help there.

https://www.piersystem.com/external/index.cfm?cid=786

[ollie]

Originally Posted by gsw

Can any one direct me to the correct web address to research the following.
I have my fathers ww11 medals and amongst his effects is a coast guard pass. Family story is that he served with the US coast Guard in ww11 and trained as a salvage diver in New York. Any help appreciated
Thanks in advance
garry

Hi Gary. There are two places to look, First the VA then the National Archives. You need to do some research at home first and gather up every fact and document you have. Is there memoriabilia he saved that gives you any hints?

There is a place friendly to Coasties on the internet. Its Fred's Place - The Place To Meet Old Coast Guard Shipmates, they have a bulletin board where you could post a notice asking if anyone knew your father. email me at coastie166@yahoo.com with what you have and I will assist you in anyway that I can. It would be helpful if you identify his ribbons and dates of service for a starter.

Do you have any wartime photos of him? I know that ancestry.com has started posting WW2 era draft registration cards. That's another way you can go.


Coasties in WW2 did a ton of stuff. They manned army aviation tankers in the Pacific and Navy Destroyer Escorts in the Atlantic. They also piloted the landing craft bringing the troops to shore in all the invasions in both theatres. At Normandy they had a fleet of 83 foot rescue boats running all over the place pulling soldiers out of the water. They also had a fleet of large 327 foot cutters that served as Convoy escorts on ASW missions.

Good luck with your search and email me at your leisure. I'll try to steer you in the right direction.

ollie

[Woodmonkey]

Thanks for coming in Ollie!

[gsw]

Ollie, thanks for your help. I have a US Coast Guard pass with a serial number, date and pers particulars on it. This is the only paper work I have but it should be enough for a Govt organisation to track if there record keeping is up to scratch. I will scan it in to my comp and email it to both of the org you suggested.
Woodmonkey thanks for your help.
M60 the medals and awards are not really and issue as being a foriegn national to the USA he was never allowed to wear then (awards and decorations for Australians is a contentious issue here at home) All I am trying to do is trace and document my fathers military service, I am almost there, only missing 1941 to 1945 which I think is Coast Guard service.
Once again Guys thanks again for all your help and I will post results as they happen
Regards
Garry