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Good snooping there pal!

 

We suspected he was sent to another unit, but now this would confirm it and explain how he wound up under 7th Army jursidiction.

 

Now we just need to find out which unit he was transferred to, for the duration.

 

As stated earlier, it can't be the engineer unit on his discharge papers, for they only served in Italy until the end of the war and beyond.

 

More snooping is in order.

 

Once again, grand work!

Thanks to all of you and your assistance

I am copying a few posts from folks.

This one is from the 106th Discussion board added today:

Hello Karri;

Your Grandfather, I think, went through the same fate, or circumstaces that I did.

In August 1945, the 106th was homeward bound. The Division (including me) was in a staging area in France being processed for return to the State. I think that we were in a place called Camp Lucky Strike.

We were attending an orientation class about "ruturning to the States" when a messenger handed a note to the speaker. The speaker in turn, read the note to the men, that stated, "the followig men will report to __________. It didn't say what for, however my name was included in that list of men. There were quite a few names on the list.

As it turned out, all those men were being reassinged to other Army Units in Europe. In other words the men on that list weren't not going home.

Army regulations were that they could keep a soldier for the duration of the war, plus six months.

The duration of the War wasn't declared until many months after the war actually ended on the 8th of May 1954.

Your Grandfather and I arrived back in the States on the same date in 1946 and both off us were discharged on the same date, 9 April 1946.

I wonder if we were on the same ship, which was the Westerly Victory that sailed out of Antwerp, Belgium in March 1945.

The "point" system was great, that is, unless the Army dicided to keep a Soldier for a while longer. Sometimes that system seemed very unjust for some soldiers.

And

It was not uncommon for soldiers to be reassigned to a different unit in the late stages of the war. Like mentioned, this had to do with the 'points' system devised by the Army. A soldier needed 85 to be discharged, otherwise further service was required. Since the 106th was deactivated in October 1945, your grandfather was probably transferred before that time and continued with the occupation army in Europe.

The 16th Engineer Battalion, from what I read, was stationed in Austria (US Zone of Occupation) from August 1945 onwards.

The date of that unit's arrival in the USA (April 1945) seems to correspond with your grandfathers discharge papers.

The 106th was actually part of the 7th Army for some time in 1945.

Quote: "As stated earlier, it can't be the engineer unit on his discharge papers, for they only served in Italy until the end of the war and beyond.

More snooping is in order."

Yes the 16th AEB organic to the 1st Armd fought in Italy till the end of the war, but did NOT remain in Italy AFTER the war ended in May 45.

1st Armored has Occupation Credit 15 August 45 - 18 Jan 46

On August 14 1945, The 16th Armored Engineer Battalion was located at Salzburg, Austria.

The 16th AEB has Occupation Credit 15 August - 31 October 45 Germany.

The 16th Armored Engineer Battalion arrived back in CONUS at the New York Port of Embarkation 1013 April 1946.

The arrival date in the US of the 16th corresponds to the arrival of 9 April 45 on the discharge papers.

Thanks Larry. I do remember reading that quote from earlier. Those were 2 postings I had on the actual 106th site from today, just sharing. The first is from and actual vet, the 2nd from another forum user. Thanks as always for the input

Two heads are better than one.

Now all the puzzle pieces are fitting together quite nicely. TEAM WORK!!!!

And Karrie:

It was nice to see that letter from the 106th site. Great news.

LOL - great pic.

Hello, I have been busy with my grad class. I was able to locate some pics and hook up with my aunt. Here is one my Aunt found, however there is no Lion patch. I am guessing this is closer to when he discharged. He is on the bottom R squating down. Can't see his other arm however. I did come across 2 long rolled up unit/division photos as well.Any imput appreciated as always

Here is copy of all his medals, my aunt she put on a piece of cardboard (with some notes underneath). I notice there are 3 bronze stars on one ribbon, this I didn't know. There are also, a set of Engineer, Infantry, and US enlisted pins (6 total, only 1 of each displayed). I am not familiar with the ribbon on the bottom right.

Here is another. I believe this to be a basic training one.

My grandfather is standing behind the guy to the left sitting on the ground.

Here is copy of all his medals, my aunt she put on a piece of cardboard (with some notes underneath). I notice there are 3 bronze stars on one ribbon, this I didn't know. There are also, a set of Engineer, Infantry, and US enlisted pins (6 total, only 1 of each displayed). I am not familiar with the ribbon on the bottom right.

So glad to see you were able to post. YEAH!

In regards to the three bronze stars on the ribbon. Those are battle campaign stars. Not to be confused with the OTHER bronze star.