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Military History/Questions Answered by Expert Alan F. Cagle
| Subject | Date Asked |
| fathers militay record | 12/22/2011 |
| Q: I'm doing some research on my fathers military records,he served in WWII. I have got his WD AGO ... A: Ray... Here is a joint John/Al answer of a previous AAA soldier with a 1st Class badge. It has a ... | |
| fathers militay record | 12/19/2011 |
| Q: I'm doing some research on my fathers military records,he served in WWII. I have got his WD AGO ... A: .. John Vargas also agreed with me on the MG answer. Here is his response with () from me, "You ... | |
| What do these patches and other insignia mean | 11/25/2011 |
| Q: I inherited my grandfathers dress uniform when my father passed away. This uniform meant the world ... A: ... Though I only deal in documentation, if you will send the pictures to my below email, I or my ... | |
| USAAF in WWII | 11/13/2011 |
| Q: Please research my relatives service in the AAF 348th Svc Group in WWII? A: Joe… Using your relative’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (War Department Adjutant General Office Form, no ... | |
| WW2 Bronze Star | 10/16/2011 |
| Q: My uncle Ray was killed in action near Easy Knob,Luzon on 25 Jan.1945.Along with his Purple Heart ... A: .. If you look at the following wiki link note the criteria for the award: ... | |
| ww2 Japanese imperial flag | 9/23/2011 |
| Q: I'm doing research for a vet who has a Japanese flag which has a bird over the red disc. There are ... A: John.... Well you got me and three other experts stumped. Even though as I explained, I only deal ... | |
| 734th AAA Bn | 9/8/2011 |
| Q: My dad was in the 734th aaa.I just got his discharge papers from my mother and was beginning my ... A: Gary.... That is a good question. I do know language handbooks were given to troops going into ... | |
| Reading discharge papers | 8/20/2011 |
| Q: Hoping someone can clarify the following listed on my grandfathers Honorable discharge papers: 1. ... A: Ron… I have numbered your questions and added my answers underneath. 1. In the 'Component' box it ... | |
| RE: WD 53-55 | 7/23/2011 |
| Q: Please research my Dad's WD 53-55 for the 734th AAA Gun Bn. Thanks, Nancy A: Nancy, With your dad’s WD 53-55 (War Department Form, no Department of Defense in those days), I ... | |
| Korean War footlocker | 7/22/2011 |
| Q: Cagle, I work for a theatre and we are doing a show which requires a trunk from the Korean War. I ... A: Hey Andria... Yes I googled "picture army footlocker" and got those three pictures framed across. ... | |
| Korean War footlocker | 7/22/2011 |
| Q: Cagle, I work for a theatre and we are doing a show which requires a trunk from the Korean War. I ... A: Hey Andria... Take a look at this site. Top left locker is from WWII and I have it today. It was my ... | |
| WW2 Furloughs/passes | 6/23/2011 |
| Q: Cagle: I have several detailed questions about how the Army handled furloughs and passes for ... A: .. Sorry that I can't give you much of an answer. My specialty is the Discharge Document. The only ... | |
| Lowell Sanford | 6/22/2011 |
| Q: Do you have the information my father? Val A: Val, With your dad’s WD 53 55-(War Department Form, no Department of Defense in those days), I ... | |
| Cannon Ball | 6/10/2011 |
| Q: Is this a cannon ball? It is just a notch over 9 lbs. I measured 13 inches all the way around...I ... A: Sorry again, but had to add something. Sorry I hit the wrong button. I have to decline this answer ... | |
| Filling in the blanks | 6/9/2011 |
| Q: I've read some of your answers to other questions, and am in awe of the depth of your research. I'm ... A: .. Let me give you the bad news first, I cannot tell when your Everett went to the 12th Infantry ... | |
| 401st AAA | 6/7/2011 |
| Q: My father served in Italy as a Staff Sargent in charge of the radar unit of the 401st AAA, company ... A: I saw you rated me, but this was the reason I suggested we only go through e-mail. Once I have ... | |
| WWII USN Muster sheets | 6/5/2011 |
| Q: I have found some of the above sheets on Ancestry.com regarding my father's Navy service on a ... A: .. I will certainly try to help, though my specialty is mostly Army. Let me attempt to answer and ... | |
| my dad | 6/4/2011 |
| Q: al i was only 10 when my dad died. i have no family war history for him except what is on is grave ... A: Marie…… Well I have a little bad news. I cannot confirm that your dad was in the infantry or tanks. ... | |
| WWII MOS | 5/7/2011 |
| Q: My uncle was a WWII veteran and I am trying to figure out some of the things on his separation ... A: .. Here is the Army Tech Manual TM 12-427 (1944) description of your uncle's MOS: DUTY SOLDIER III ... | |
| WWII 703 EPD Co | 11/5/2009 |
| Q: My father was in the 703 Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company. I have been unable to find any ... A: Janie... I am afraid I can't help you much on this. My specialty is infantry reference. I could not ... | |
| Korean War grave marker | 11/5/2009 |
| Q: I do alot of volunteer work in local cemeteries with the upkeep and condition of all veteran grave ... A: Brian... I thought I had the answer until I read your last sentence. My thoughts were General ... | |
| WWII Items | 11/5/2009 |
| Q: Alan, I have a Cartograph map of Europe for the 42nd Inf Rainbow Div that my father sent back to ... A: Michelle.... I have been asked about collection items before, but have no knowledge of their price ... | |
| Field Artillery Battalions | 11/3/2009 |
| Q: My Uncle was in the 115th Field Artillery Battalion and I am having a hard time finding his unit's ... A: Margie... 2) Add-on to the original-my collaborator John Vargas, like me found 115 Battalion, ... | |
| 75th Inf Div, 289th Infantry, Co. F | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: My dad was a Tec Sgt at the time of the Battle of the Bulge and was promoted to Second Lieutenant by ... A: Retta... Sorry this is so late, but on July 23 I cracked my "pumpkin haid" on the bedroom door and ... | |
| Roger Peck in WW II | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: My uncle recently passed and I was wondering what info I could find about him and this is what I ... A: Steve... I am very sorry this is late, but I have been in the hospital from July 23 until August 3. ... | |
| WWII Infantry | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: I am searching for any info specific to Company I (I as in Ida), 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th ... A: Karen (part 3).... I could not believe I have had such a nice complement. It is really a pleasure ... | |
| Fathers WW2 records?? | 7/4/2009 |
| Q: I don't know if you could possibly help me, but I would like to find my Fathers WW2 records. I'm ... A: Debbie…… With your dads form 53-55, I have gotten more information and made some educated guesses ... | |
| Civilian US Army -WWII & Current | 7/3/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Cagle- I have a WWII Civilian Army patch. It is a square & in that square is a triangle with ... A: .. Patches are not my area, but I did find your patch in the Red Cross section. It was not a Red ... | |
| 401st AAA BN | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: I am looking for the shoulder patch for this unit. I know it was part of the 5th Army and that they ... A: Hey Al, They wore the IV Corps Patch. This is what it looked like. ... | |
| S1C navy enlisted uniform | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: My question is regarding the uniform my grandfather would have worn during his naval service as a ... A: .. As I explained, my knowledge of WWII naval uniforms is non-existent. However, after I had ... | |
| 398th Anti-Aircraft, Automatic Weapons Battalion (Self-Propelled) | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Cagle: This isn't so much a question, but another source of information for you. My father, ... A: .. Thank you for thinking of me and in answer to your last paragraph: YES, YES, YES See the ... | |
| 69TH armored field artillery | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: I saw a response you gave to a question regarding the 69th armored. A lady asked if anyone was ... A: Don... She will be thrilled to here from you. However your e-mail address did not come through. ... | |
| 69TH armored field artillery | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: I saw a response you gave to a question regarding the 69th armored. A lady asked if anyone was ... A: ... Thanks for the ratings and note. I always appreciate 10's. The reason I am writing is that my ... | |
| My grandfathers WW II Service | 4/21/2009 |
| Q: I just sent some questions but I forgot to include my grandfathers name. Jesse Morgan Dunnaway! A: ... Did you get the e-mail 'custom reject I sent you? I had not heard and was just wondering. Let ... | |
| WW II Veteran | 4/16/2009 |
| Q: You found him!!! Alan, Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You have answered my very difficult ... A: Cindy... Let me go ahead and let you rate me for my efforts. I will be sending another e-mail ... | |
| US Congressional Metal ? | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: My father was in the 187 Airborn during the Korean War He was awarded 4 Bronse Stars, 2 Spear Heads ... A: ... See Mark 2) below Your dad was in a great unit. Let me give you some links to help find some ... | |
| 274 infantry flag | 4/2/2009 |
| Q: I have found a 274 infantry flag that I am trying to get more info on and date. It was made by the ... A: 1)Sandy... 2) Sandy see below I will send all our correspondence to John Vargas. If anyone can ... | |
| 274 infantry flag | 4/1/2009 |
| Q: I have found a 274 infantry flag that I am trying to get more info on and date. It was made by the ... A: see 2) Sandy below Without seeing the flag I googled the 274th infantry and found it was part of ... | |
| American POW's (Japan vs N.Korean/Chinese) | 3/31/2009 |
| Q: I understand the US soldiers held captive by the Japanese returned home after the war. For those ... A: .. see 2) Eric below This is outside my area but I can provide a few thoughts. All Pacific POW's ... | |
| E 346th Infantry WWII | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: I have found a few things but still lack some. I hope you can help me. Father Ernest Moody # ... A: :Hi I am trying to get a timeline on my father service travels in WWII. I have found a few things ... | |
| E 346th Infantry WWII | 3/27/2009 |
| Q: I have found a few things but still lack some. I hope you can help me. Father Ernest Moody # ... A: 1) Janet, see below for 2) see below for 3) Thanks. After I respond to this, if you will rate my ... | |
| WWII uncle in military police | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: I realize this may be a needle-in-the-haystack question but I am trying to find info on my uncle ... A: .. See 2) Kathleen below Sorry I could not get to you before, but I have not had a question in a ... | |
| contrasting polices in the korean war | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: a little stuck with the question hoping you can help!! the question is comapre and contrast the ... A: .. Every time I see the words "compare and contrast" I get cold chills up my back because it ... | |
| MOVIE " Glory" | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: What is the summary of the movie? I am doing a project for school and I need help. Please help me. A: ... I had to remember the title and look it up on the following movie link: ... | |
| 491st Military Police escort Guard | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: While searching myself for history on this unit I saw Roberts question and your answer. I have ... A: .. Naturally John Vargas came through like a champ. This is really his letter. The company was ... | |
| obscure army uniform | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Cagle, I'm hoping you can answer my question or direct me to a place that can. My father was ... A: ... I contacted John Vargas, he is the uniform expert on the board, but is currently taking a break ... | |
| ww2 us army 102nd recon group | 2/8/2009 |
| Q: my uncle was in this group, and i cannot find any info, or pictures on him, or his group. is there ... A: Ron... Here are some suggestions: 1) Do you have his discharge?? Big question. If not you can ... | |
| ww2 us army 102nd recon group | 2/7/2009 |
| Q: my uncle was in this group, and i cannot find any info, or pictures on him, or his group. is there ... A: .. I think the complete name of the unit was the "102ND CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON ... | |
| WWI SSI and Oversea service stripe | 2/7/2009 |
| Q: LTC, Sir My Grandfather is a WWI vet and I know that he was assigned to the 520th Motor Truck ... A: Luke... I am enclosing a more complete reply to your question. John Vargas is the ... | |
| My father & Co. G in March 1945 | 1/27/2009 |
| Q: Mr Cagle, I'm interested in information, records & photos for the units my father served with. My ... A: I re-read your letter and realized I had not answered your final statement. "The “Roster of ... | |
| Fathers Service | 1/27/2009 |
| Q: I have just found my fathers honorable discharge record. I have been interested in his service in ... A: It seems I am specializing in discharge document. The best way to handle this is to scan the ... | |
| My Father's WWII service | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: Alan, I have been looking for information on my father's service history during WWII. He served ... A: .. I am afraid that my medical documentation knowledge is limited. I have seen one discharge ... | |
| My Father's WWII History of 69th Armored Field Artillery Battalion | 1/22/2009 |
| Q: Cagle, I have a typed copy of the history of the above battalion beginning August 11, 1943 when my ... A: I got your e-mail but my return to you failed to get through, so I will post this on the board. ... | |
| WWII Question | 1/19/2009 |
| Q: I have 2 questions... 1. My granfather's military records state that he has a marksmanship badge w/ ... A: .. 1) Without seeing the photo it probably was taken after basic training and he had probably shot ... | |
| Brother in WW II | 1/15/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Cagle, I had a brother in WW II. He was living in Ky when he was drafted. Mom had kept his vmail ... A: ... I really, really apologize for not getting back to you. I sent you a custom reject because I ... | |
| WWII German Officer | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: I am looking for any information on German Officer Ernst Heidelberg A: Don... My collaborator on the board, John Vargus, has sent these three links that might help. With ... | |
| question on a badge | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: my grandfather was in the korea war on the back of his service card it said that he was a AAA gun ... A: .. Sorry about missing your name the first time, my eyes like my memory are "...on the downhill ... | |
| 14th Army Air force Troop Carrier | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: First, let me say, I have read your responses to other questions and I am so impressed with your ... A: ... God bless you. I am glad I helped. I will send your response to John Vargas as well since we ... | |
| 491st Military Police Escort Guard Company | 1/6/2009 |
| Q: Any information on the 491st Military Police Escort Guard Company located at Fort Custer, Michigan ... A: Robert, I apologize for the delay. I just got back into town today and saw your letter. If it is ... | |
| dual division service in WWII | 12/21/2008 |
| Q: My father (passed away in 1981)had 2 division patches on his army jacket: 2nd on the left shoulder, ... A: .. Let me ask you to do two things for me. Google the following: 2nd Army 103rd infantry division ... | |
| Korean War | 12/15/2008 |
| Q: After the Korean War, was North Korea still communist and South Korea still democratic? Or were they ... A: Yuki.... This is not really my speciality but let me help a little. Technically N. Korea was still ... | |
| Korean War | 12/15/2008 |
| Q: Was the U.S occupying South Korea at the time of the Korean War? If they were, how did Canada's ... A: Yuki.... I have gotten about 6 letters about Canada's participation in the Korean War. Is this a ... | |
| Isoroku Yamamoto | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: In my U.S. history class we are discussing WW2. We are now doing group projects abotu differnt ... A: Jeremy... We are having e-mail trouble at my house, so I am at an alternate site. Let me give you ... | |
| Question about my Grandfather's WWII/Korean service... | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: I've been researching my father's dad's military career for nearly four years now and was coming up ... A: Samantha... Samantha... See 2) below Wow, this is quite a career and quite a question. I hit the ... | |
| 278th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery B. | 11/15/2008 |
| Q: I am trying to locate in which Army and Division my uncle served in. His discharge papers identify ... A: Bob.... 2) Bob this board is strange, if I give you a second answer it wipes out the first, so look ... | |
| Military killed in action | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: I've been told that only the remains of officers killed in action were returned home for burial in ... A: Colum... 2) Colum... I have to responded to your ranking of my knowledge in my most recent post to ... | |
| My Dads Service | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: Sorry Alan..I forgot to give you his name..lol Anthony Marinaccio, Jr. A: Carol.... Carol-second response, this board is funny, if I answered a second reply it would wipe ... | |
| unit location info | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: My dad was with the Heavy Mortar Co. 109th Inf Regt, APO 111 which was part of the 28th Inf Div. I ... A: Hector... Hector see below for second answer... Hector see below for third answer.... Hector see ... | |
| Nanking massacre | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: i am doing an extended history project on the rape of nanking. In order to conduct my research i ... A: Yasmine... Second answer see below: This is somewhat out of my line, since I specialize in ... | |
| Korean War; US Army construction batallion | 11/2/2008 |
| Q: My friend was in the 76th Const. Bat sent to Korea from Japan, first Const Bat there. I'm putting ... A: Jim.... Afraid I would be of little help on this. Please send this to John Varas on this MH site. ... | |
| Tech 5 | 10/31/2008 |
| Q: I had to start a new question. Thank you for those recommendations, I really appreciate it. I ... A: Katlin.. Good for you. At 19 you sound like a 'ball of fire'. Yes those documents and pictures will ... | |
| Tech 5 | 10/30/2008 |
| Q: I had to start a new question. Thank you for those recommendations, I really appreciate it. I ... A: Katlin…. Thanks for those kind words. And yes if the book you ordered is “Up Front” by Bill ... | |
| WWII Tech 5 | 10/29/2008 |
| Q: Alan, I'm not sure if this is up your ally or not but... What part did the US Army Tech 5 play in ... A: Katlin... See below for follow up... I understand completely. The greatest generation is passing ... | |
| WWII Tech 5 | 10/29/2008 |
| Q: Alan, I'm not sure if this is up your ally or not but... What part did the US Army Tech 5 play in ... A: Katlin... Do you have your grand-uncle's discharge document? He was probably a tank mechanic, and ... | |
| WWII Tech 5 | 10/29/2008 |
| Q: Alan, I'm not sure if this is up your ally or not but... What part did the US Army Tech 5 play in ... A: Kaitlin... You have got me confused. A Tech5 was an enlisted, specialized grade. Based on ... | |
| help with my grandfather's WWII service | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: I'm hoping you can help me find the history of my grandfather's WWII service. I have a copy of his ... A: Terri... This is the second duplicate for my own records. Good talking to you. I thought of ... | |
| My Father's WWII History | 10/24/2008 |
| Q: I am on a bit of a wild goose chase. I am trying to figure out what my father did in the Army in ... A: Scott.... This is a tough question, but I will make some broad general assumptions: 1) There was a ... | |
| artillery battalions in ww2 | 10/23/2008 |
| Q: My father served as radioman/forward observer with the 46th Field Artillery Battalion in WW2. I ... A: Robert... I believe Fort Sill is the ONLY place you might find this information. I have recommended ... | |
| bombing of dresden | 10/21/2008 |
| Q: I have been doing a lot of research on this and was wondering if the allied bombing of Dresden in ... A: Jon... Good question. Historians have been arguing over this for a long time. The two basic answers ... | |
| artillery battalions in ww2 | 10/17/2008 |
| Q: My father served as radioman/forward observer with the 46th Field Artillery Battalion in WW2. I ... A: Robert... Second followup-see below the first. Third followup-see below the second. Board is a ... | |
| korean war | 10/15/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could tell me some reasons why Canada made the right choice by taking part in ... A: .. If your name is Jasmine, I have answered this before, but I will copy-and-paste below from my ... | |
| Military Uniform Patch | 10/14/2008 |
| Q: I have acquired a large lot of small US Military buttons, ribbons, badges, etc. and have become ... A: Mr Fansner.... This is not really my area but let me try to help. I showed your letter to the ... | |
| Sino-Japanese | 9/29/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering what really happened during the first Sino-Japanese war (1931-1941)? My book doesn't ... A: Kelsey.... This is not really my area, since I concentrate on WW2 (mostly Europe)and the Korean ... | |
| finding what units my father-in-law was attached to, WWII | 9/26/2008 |
| Q: I have been trying to write a history of my father-in-law, James M. Butler, serial# 35 836 624, WWII ... A: Sherrie-this is a duplicate of the email I send, so please disregard. I keep my answers on this ... | |
| WW2 | 9/25/2008 |
| Q: I'm trying to get an idea of how Germany divided its resources between the Eastern Front (Russia) ... A: Bob.... Just as I sent you the below answer, I saw on the news the President of Russia, Alexander ... | |
| Steel Military Hat With Marking | 9/21/2008 |
| Q: I got this hat at a children's museum in La Habra, they were cleaning out and rennovating. This hat ... A: Kathy.... Interesting helmet. When I first glanced at it I thought it was Russian because it ... | |
| Soldiers didn't know that WW2 had ended | 9/19/2008 |
| Q: I was just recently told by someone that when the WW2 ended some of the soldiers of some country or ... A: Keanu.... Bless the internet. All you have to do is Google: wwii Japanese soldiers hold out islands ... | |
| China's intervention in Korean War | 9/17/2008 |
| Q: Why did China interevene in Korean War? Why did it want to divert US attention away from Taiwan? And ... A: Kim.... I have answered this question in more detail to a guy named David. Let me copy my answer to ... | |
| Korean War | 9/15/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could tell me 2 or 2 reasons why the korean war was a defining moment in ... A: Jasmine... You have me stumped on that one. Most titles of this war as pertains to US troops ... | |
| Gulf war | 9/14/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering if you know why Iraq invaded Kuwait in the Persian Gulf War. Also I read that a ... A: Cattie... I am not current on the Gulf War. My interests are WWII and Korea. But let me try to ... | |
| Korean War and Canada | 9/14/2008 |
| Q: I have to write an essay about a controversy to do with Canada in the Korean War, but I have done ... A: Let me see if I can clarify. After WWII, N. Korea was occupied by Russia; S. Korea by the US. We had ... | |
| 89th Station Hospital - Pacific WWII | 9/13/2008 |
| Q: I am trying to help my dad and his WWII buddy find information on the 89th Station Hospital that ... A: Stan... I want to first start with an apology. I was very abrupt on my first answer, because I was ... | |
| Korean War and Canada | 9/12/2008 |
| Q: I have to write an essay about a controversy to do with Canada in the Korean War, but I have done ... A: J... Let me check tomorrow. I'm involved with an Italy question and will have to get back with you ... | |
| WW2 Research | 9/11/2008 |
| Q: Cagle, I am trying to find out if Wacs worked at hospitals in the Pacific during WWII ... A: Kris.... No problem. I have enclosed it below. Sometimes stuff vanishes off this board. Probably ... | |
| WW2 Research | 9/9/2008 |
| Q: Cagle, I am trying to find out if Wacs worked at hospitals in the Pacific during WWII ... A: Kristina... Here is the second part of my e-mail: 1) Would the following timeline for an ... | |
| WW2 Research | 9/9/2008 |
| Q: Cagle, I am trying to find out if Wacs worked at hospitals in the Pacific during WWII ... A: Kristina... This is out of my area and will take a little while to read the official history you ... | |
| 3021st Quartermaster Balkery Company | 8/20/2008 |
| Q: My father served in WWII in the 3021st Quartermaster Bakery Company (Mobile) as a truck driver and ... A: Dennis... This is a little out of my field but I did find a few things: 1) Goggle "Quartermaster ... | |
| help with identifying a patch | 8/15/2008 |
| Q: My uncle served in Korea and I have a photo of him in his Army uniform with a large shield shaped ... A: Carol... Without seeing it, I think it is the patch of the Second Infantry Division. The "...type ... | |
| pre Korean War dogtags-- religions | 8/11/2008 |
| Q: What religions besides C for catholic P for Protestant and J for Jewish were put on dogtags in USAF ... A: Richard, Interesting question. I know the Army in WWII used H-Hebrew for their Jewish soldiers, and ... | |
| US Army Officer insignia in 1946 | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: I believe that Army officers in Japan & Okinawa wore khaki uniforms in 1946. Was officer rank worn ... A: Bob.... This is getting more ironic. My wife and I live in Montgomery, Alabama and visited the ... | |
| british american relations ww2 | 7/26/2008 |
| Q: i know theat Montgomery was a vain person and the generals did not get on with eacg other, but did ... A: Jason.... Let me say that Eisenhower on more than one occasion said he had the greatest collection ... | |
| Did Gen. Erwin Rommel have any children? | 7/24/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering if General Rommel have any children? I am a history major, I am doing a paper on ... A: Jennifer.... I always knew he had a son Manfred, but was not aware of any others so I looked in ... | |
| Scrambled Eggs Visor Caps | 7/24/2008 |
| Q: Gen. Douglas MacArthur was the only Senior Officer in WWII to wear 'scrambled eggs' on the visor of ... A: Spencer... I have never really been satisfied with the answers I gave you about the 'scrambled ... | |
| M3A1 'grease gun' | 6/4/2008 |
| Q: On the squad level which infantry soldiers carried the M3A1 'grease gun' SMG? A: Winston.... Good question, but a little hard to answer. The WWII Soldier's Handbook says the squad ... | |
| WW II POWs | 5/29/2008 |
| Q: When a Marine was missing in action during WWII and the serviceman's body wasn't found, ... A: George.... I am sure they had some evenings off. Lots volunteered for China duty. Old timers were ... | |
| ID of US Military patch | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: I have been trying to find the ID on 2 small ARMY (I think) star shaped patches. They are 1.25" ... A: Mike.... Tried one other patch expert on the web, but no luck. With this degree of difficulty, it ... | |
| ID of US Military patch | 4/30/2008 |
| Q: I have been trying to find the ID on 2 small ARMY (I think) star shaped patches. They are 1.25" ... A: Mike.... I wish I could be of more help, but none of my sources seems to show these patches. You ... | |
| Hollywood vs History | 4/11/2008 |
| Q: I'm interested in the Hollywood vs History angle. The film "300" won big at the box office so it ... A: Jim... Very interesting question. I guess I am more of a reader; a movie buff could be a listener, ... | |
| wwII memorabilia | 4/6/2008 |
| Q: My dad was an original crew-member, "plank-owner" on the USS Missouri (he served in Brooklyn Navy ... A: Mr. Lawson.... I am afraid that memorabilia collection is not my area of interest, especially for ... | |
| Korean war question | 3/20/2008 |
| Q: Have you ever read WHY China decided to invade Korea and push the USA out of Korea? I read a lot ... A: David.... Let's step back. At the end of WWII, the Red Army, in the longest, fastest blitzkrieg in ... | |
| Korean Comand | 3/20/2008 |
| Q: My father served in the Korean conflict as a Captain in the Army while in the Transportation Corps. ... A: Bob.... One thing I have noticed on this board, is that answering one question eventually leads to ... | |
| Dog Tags | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: While watching a movie (Away All Boats I believe was the name)I noticed that the men's dog tags were ... A: Julie.... Second answer. My collaborator, John Vargas, found a dog tag site and I thought of your ... | |
| Korean Comand | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: My father served in the Korean conflict as a Captain in the Army while in the Transportation Corps. ... A: Bob.... Good question. I looked and looked and could find nothing in the Transportation patches, ... | |
| WW II training for infantry | 3/14/2008 |
| Q: My uncle Pvt. Paul Sheets was KIA in France on Dec. 7-9, 1944 and is interred there. I and his ... A: .. Remember me (Alan Cagle) from the military history allexperts site? I have just learned of a ... | |
| WW II training for infantry | 3/14/2008 |
| Q: My uncle Pvt. Paul Sheets was KIA in France on Dec. 7-9, 1944 and is interred there. I and his ... A: Bob... I did some more research and think I can answer part of your question. In those days before ... | |
| WW II training for infantry | 3/13/2008 |
| Q: My uncle Pvt. Paul Sheets was KIA in France on Dec. 7-9, 1944 and is interred there. I and his ... A: Bob... I found this one page summary of the 26th Division on the web: In 1942 the Yankee Division ... | |
| WW II Theater Question | 3/4/2008 |
| Q: I am trying to build a shadowbox as a surprise for my father who was wounded during the Korean War ... A: Louis.... This is a first for me trying to find a patch; I also have had very little luck finding a ... | |
| USSR, 9/39 | 2/11/2008 |
| Q: Cagle: Thank you for taking my questions. I actually have two: 1. What was the public reaction in ... A: Scott... This is out of my area of expertise, but basically your first question involves the July ... | |
| 968th Ordnance Hvy Auto Maint Co | 2/3/2008 |
| Q: My uncle served with 968th Ordnance Heavy Auto Maintenance Co in Germany during WWII. I have not ... A: Jim.... This is truly ironic. I just had a question on two ordnance companies last week. I had to ... | |
| WW2/NW Europe/US Army | 1/24/2008 |
| Q: I have a cousin who was attached to the 338th Ordnance Company, the records of which were lost in ... A: Dr Bruce... I found that book on the ordnance officer in France. I had to go to Axis History, but ... | |
| WW2/NW Europe/US Army | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: I have a cousin who was attached to the 338th Ordnance Company, the records of which were lost in ... A: Dr Bruce.... This is truly an ironic day for the following reasons: 1) My modem is broken and I am ... | |
| world war two | 1/15/2008 |
| Q: i just saw the movie tora,tora,tora. when the attack was about 10 minutes old, there were 2 jap ... A: This is a little out of my line, but they, and all other Axis diplomats were shipped to two hotels. ... | |
| what & where this place was | 1/12/2008 |
| Q: I have a wooden round picture & on the back it say's ESIONIAN handcraft made in deBeck mad.p.camp ... A: Kim.... This is really outside of my area of expertise, but just looking at it seems to indicate an ... | |
| W W II | 1/5/2008 |
| Q: Are there specific records of battles with names of those who fought in W W II. My father in law was ... A: DJ.... That is a big question. Right off the bat I don't even know of a comprehensive list of all ... | |
| WW II POWs | 11/16/2007 |
| Q: When a Marine was missing in action during WWII and the serviceman's body wasn't found, ... A: George.... You have got me stumped. The problem is that the bodies of most Marines who fought on the ... | |
| Causes of Surrender of Japan | 11/12/2007 |
| Q: What were the causes of the Japanese surrender in WWII? by the way this is for a project, not ... A: Addison... That is a little tough to answer, but the question really involves the Japanese cabinet ... | |
| WWII - 264th Field Artillery Battalion | 10/9/2007 |
| Q: Can you direct me to or share any information you have as it relates to this unit (264th Field ... A: Jim.... I am not in my library to check the US Army Official Histories. So this evening the only ... | |
| WW2 Unit History | 8/22/2007 |
| Q: I am looking for history of the 199th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. My sons great grandfather ... A: John: Thanks for your interest in your great grandfather. I thought this would be fairly easy to ... | |
| U.S.S. Okanogan | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: Looking for site about above ship in Korean War, especially photos of crew members or random shots ... A: Bill.... Thanks for asking. This is my first attempt to provide an answer to anyone, so I will be ... | |
Military History
Answers by Expert:
Alan F. Cagle
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Specialize in WWII/Korean War, Army Enlisted Discharges (WD AGO Form 53-55) It is currently called the DD-214. I have a good general knowledge of the WWII and Korean Theatres of Operations. I can (usually) translate the military abbreviations on the form and provide some background on the soldier’s unit, its history and campaigns as well as providing additional reference sites for the user. I am a former US Army Infantry Officer on Active Duty during the Vietnam War.
Experience
I am a former US Army Infantry Officer on Active Duty during the Vietnam War (1970-71).
Education/Credentials
BA Economics (University of Alabama 1970)
MA Sociology (Louisiana State University 1975)
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