Sheri, You wrote: ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////// I just got some info back on my Uncle who was a corporal in WW 2 .Can someone interpret the following for me ? Service -- 2-15-1943 to 3-10-1946 Rank -- corporal Assignments ----- 1403 AAF BU ED ATC E Education ----- AAF Chanute Field , Illinois Motor Vehicle School Decorations -- Victory Ribbon -- European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon Good Conduct Medal Lapel Button 4 Overseas Bars I had to send at least 3 letters over the period of the last year - just to get this little bit . The letter says this is all they have ? Can any soldiers enlighten me on this info . Thankyou all sheri ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////// What you are seeing here are some old acronyms from the U.S. Army. These change as time goes by. You were sent one explanation relative to your Uncle in that he: Entered the U.S. Army on 15 Feb 1943 and was discharged on 10 March 1946. After basic training which may have been at Chanute Field in Rantoul, Illinois, he attended the Motor Vehicle training School and was most probably assigned to the U.S Army Air Corps in the Motor Pool. There really isn't enough in this list to provide a complete description of his movements. Most probably the other information after his Rank of Corporal translates to: 1403 could be a unit designation OR his Military Occupational Speciality (MOS), in this case it probably refers to his unit of assignment, Enlisted personnel MOS codes are usually 5 numbers. AAF - Army Air Force, Actually it was the U.S. Army Air Corps which in 1947 became the U..S. Air Force. BU, not even a good guess here. ED, same comment. ATC - Most probably is the abbreviation for the "Air Training Command" . Decorations: Actually none of the items listed are Decorations, they are Awards. There are basically two different categories Awards, which are given to large numbers of individuals or units While Decorations are given to individuals And yes there are exceptions: In the case of your uncle: -Victory Ribbon- This is an award and is actually the World War II Victory Medal, it was given to all Military Personal who served during WW II, if interested I can attempt to find the period of eligibility. European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon and is actually known as the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Medal. This too is an award, and is also accompanied by a Medal, it was given to all Military Personal who served in the theatre of operation. Individuals were also awarded bronze battle stars for each campaign which were worn on the ribbon. These battle stars were normally for a period of time. Your uncle could have served time in Africa, the Middle East or in Europe, the Medal covers the entire area. The Good Conduct Medal was given to all Enlisted Personnel who served a minimum of 1 year of enlisted service and was for "Good Conduct", successive awards were given. The Lapel Pin was loving referred to as the "Ruptured Duck" was an award and was given to all Military Personnel upon discharge after the end of World War II. It was meant to be worn on the lapel of civilian dress to indicate that the individual was a Honorably Discharged Member of the U.S. Military Services. As previously mentioned the 4 Bars indicate 2 years overseas. If you write the Military Records Center on Page Ave. in St. Louis and provide them with a copy of what you already have and his Social Security Number you could request a copy of his WD 398 which may provide additional information. Bill Some Data on cemeteries and funeral homes <http://genealogyinstlouis.accessgenealogy.com/buchholz.htm> Surnames of Interest: BUCHHOLZ anywhere -BECKMANN-CASSIDY-DeL0NJAY-DREES-NENTWIG-NEUTZLER-PONCOT-RENSING-STAUDER- STIEFFERMANN