Greetings, I am seeking anyone who may remember my father, Lynn H. Harris. He was a Tech 5, and as I recall, the 282nd arrived in France on Christmas Day, 1944, and moved into place in Luxembourg in January 1945. Thanks.

Well, even though these topics are interspersed throughout the forum, thought is was time I touched on this topic and compared the two, for this is a constant point of contention and confusion. I can't tell you how many letters I get from people telling me that their father received four Bronze Stars during the war, etc. Well...

Leave it to the Army to confuse the hell out of ya! Couldn't we have come up with another name, etc. for these? C'mon now!!!

There are two different types of Bronze/bronze stars.

• The first one is actually an awarded MEDAL -
  
  For heroic or meritorious achievement of service, not involving aerial flight in connection with operations against an opposing armed force.
  Authorized on February 4, 1944 the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of all branches of military service and may be awarded either for combat heroism or for meritorious service.

• The 2nd kind were worn on the ribbon bar. For example if you see three bronze stars:
  They are "ribbon devices" for participation in major campaigns
  The three stars on an ETO ribbon means a veteran served in 3 campaigns in the European Theater of Operations. If a vet was in more than 5 campaigns - the bronze stars would've been replaced by one silver star.
  
  

Hope that helps clarify the confusion.

Who ever knew this would turn into a full time job???

Long story short; I have been playing catch up again with all my correspondence. In the last few weeks, including five hours this morning, I have answered over 150 emails/letters, etc. that were in my inbox. I am now down to less than 20 as of 8 AM. Whew! I simply can't keep up with the volume of mail I receive and this is what happens.

I have vowed to try and do better and we will see what occurs. I can only give it my best shot! Essayons!

Hmmm, strange inquiry. You never know what will pass my desk!

And yet another 36th Engineer, leaves our ranks... Received the following from Captain John Fallon.

 

Our numbers are few and each loss makes us respect the rest . May he rest in peace. Now there are 19 of us still present or accounted for.