----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 8:40 AM Subject: [MO-CW] Urgent Request for Military Information > I have been on this site for a long time, and know that there are several of > you are very learned in military history. I have an urgent request for > direction in research in a quick fashion. > > My father, a veteran of WWII, was wounded in the Philipines and recovered in > Okinawa. When he returned home he did not have 3 of his awards, one was the > Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, another was the Bronze Star. I had not known how > important this was to him, until he asked for my help in getting this from > the Army. I went to his local congressman, Bill Thomas, in Bakersfield,CA. > and his office called last week that it looks like the medals will be in, in > time for Thanksgiving. With all of the family in town, we want to surprise > him with the presentation of these awards by a dignitary. Now here are my > questions for your direction: > As I am preparing a ceremony to honor him, I wanted to put on a slide show > presentation of the events that he went through, to try to educate the > younger generation as to the sacrifices made. I also want to have more > information on his particular unit, and where/when they were. > His military information is: > 10th Army; 7th Division; 32 Infantry; "I" Company; 3rd Batallion; and 2nd > Squad. > At this late date, I won't be able to mail for information. [I had already > done that and he has that. I didn't see it, but he said it wasn't much.] But > I would like to know where I can go on the internet or books to buy that > would help. > I know the Civil War is the specialty on this site, but I felt this was an > emergency, and I needed help "quick"! p.s. Is the bronze star for valor? and > how can I find out what he did to earn it, he is a very modest man. > Thank you very much! > JoAnne Cole > History of the 10th Army The 10th Army was activated in June of 1944, and Lt.Gen. Simon B. Buckner assumed command in September of that year. The 10th Army was made up of the XXIV Army Corps and the III Amphibious Corps (Marines). THe XXIV Army Corps was made up of the 7th and 96th infantry divisoins and was commanded by Maj.Gen. John R. Hodge. The III Amphibious Corps, which was commmanded by Maj.Gen. Roy S. Geiger included the 27th and 77th Infantry Divisions, and the 2nd Marine Division. On April 1, 1945, the 10th Army began the invasion of the Ryukyu Islands, the chief of which is Okinawa. On June 18 of that year, while one a forward observation post, General Buckner was killed by enemy gunfire. Genreal Geiger, the senior officer on the island, assumed command until he was succeded by Gen. Joseph Stilwell. The campaign against the Ryukyu Islands ended on July 2. GENERALS IN CHARGE #1 SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, Jr.: Simon Buckner was born in Kentucky, and graduated from Westpoint 1908. He worked at the academy from 1932 to 1936. In 1940 he was made commander of the Alaskan Defense Force, after which he was promoted to Lt.Gen. Buckner in 1943. He then gained control of the 10th Army for one of the last campaigns of World War II: the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945. On June 18, 1945, he was mortally wounded by a Japaneese artillery shell. GENERALS IN CHARGE #2 ROY STANELY GEIGER (1885-1947): Roy Geiger was a native of Florida, and a graduate of Stetson University. He signed up for the Marines in 1907, and was commissioned in 1909. He became one of the first marine pilots to fly in World War I. He later commanded the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in the fight for Guadalcanal, and for his preformance in this important World War II battle, he was honored with a Navy Cross. He became the director of Marine Corps Aviation in May 1943, but in December, he returned to the Pacific to command the I Marines Amphibious Corps. In April 1945, Geiger led his troops as a part of the 10th Army in the invasion of Okinawa. When Gen. Bolivar was killed by enenmy gunfire, Geiger assumed brief control of the 10th Army. He was later awarded a Distinguished Service Medal, and in July 1945 he assumed control of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. GENERALS IN CHARGE #3 WILLIAM MORRIS HODGE: William Hodge was born in 1894. He was an officer in the 9th Armored Division when they siezed the Remagen Bridge (Which is also a level in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.) accross the Rhine. He was also a veteran of World War II, and an engineer. His engineering corps built the Alaskan Highway in 1942. He was in command of the Provisional Engineer Special Brigade Group, which supported the V Corps at Omaha Beach (Also a level in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.). He was promoted to Maj.Gen. Hodges on May 2, 1945. He also was part of the 10th Army invasion that captured Okinawa. Go here: http://www.7th-inf-div-assn.com/history.asp http://www.7thinfantry.com/news/news.asp http://www.grunts.net/army/7thid.html BRONZE STAR MEDAL http://www.usarotc.com/medals/bsm.htm ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL http://www.rootsweb.com/~utsaltla/111thInf/Medal_AsiaticPacificCampaignMedal .html The book to get: http://www.mtpublishing.com/Internet/mil018.html You may find it cheaper elsewhere. Desoto Joe/The Record Man