Purple hearts are awarded to people wounded in action or while on duty. Bronze stars are for bravery in extreme circumstances and are the third highest award that any serviceman can earn. Only a silver star and Medal of Honor are higher. Look for the Elbe River in Germany. Find Hanover and Berlin. The River pretty much runs from one to the other. There was fighting all over this area. A history of WWII might list the battle and where it took place exactly. Also the date but I would guess 1944-45. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jenn" <jenny1shu@prodigy.net> To: <NY-Military-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2000 9:16 AM Subject: [NY-Mil] new to the list > I am new to this list and was wondering if anyone could help me. I have a DD > 48 my grandfather filled out for security clearance? Does anyone know what > type of security clearance can be obtained with this form? On it he lists > his dates of service as: > > 4/14/1937 - 4/13/1940 US Army Coats Artillery (Corporal) > > 4/12/1944 - 1/7/1946 US Army Infantry ( Sergeant) > > 10/2/1950 - ? US Army 101 Airborne. > > I am told he won a purple heart, 3 bronze stars and was awarded a > presidential unit citation. His unit is said to be the one that went over > the Elba River meeting with the Russians. > > I guess my question is can I obtain his military records? Can anyone tell me > what it takes to get the above medals and is there any further info on > recipients of purple hearts available? Where is the Elba River? When did > that take Place? > Any help would be Greatly appreciated. > oh yeah his name is Orville Flynn he lists his local draft board as #332 > Rennselear, NY. Also lists that he was at Ft. Totten, NY in 1937 - 1940 > I believe he died at Manhattan Veterans Hospital. > > Thank You, > Jenn > >