Post by barcelonablom on Nov 15, 2011 10:10:23 GMT -5
Here's a primer. Believe it or not its more complicated then you think and you have to take a lot of things into account when putting together a uniform. This primer will at first work through a 133rd Inf Reg, 34th ID uniform but once I get my hands on and some time figuring out the 442 History I can whip together some specifics there.
Also remember that there is approval for wear of the uniform of a specific individual of the 442nd/34th if you become intimate with their life story and actions that contributed to the awards. Remember that you are wearing their story and that you should uphold it honorably.
1. MOST IMPORTANT
What time period am I portraying? This matters you need an exact date that you are portraying with your class A Uniform. I think mid-June, 1944 is a perfect date to portray as the division was pulled to the rear and practically EVERYONE took passes to Rome. Post-war is another popular time, especially for the 442nd since it would allow an accurate wear of the 442 SSI. Its time enough to maybe put some overseas or service stripes on your uniform unless you are a portraying a newer replacement. But also both fronts were obviously very active in this timeframe. While D-Day was occurring the Italian units were tied up in the Rome-Arno and Northern Appeninnes campaign.
2. When did you join the National Guard or Regular Army? Or when where you drafted? And into which unit?
This is mainly used as a basis for a few items. One is your Time in Service for your service stripe(s) and the Good Conduct Medal. Another is to find out what unit you were in and you get two scenarios either A. You moved with a unit on its initial movements or B. You joined it later. In the first case we use the unit histories to find when they arrived overseas to judge for Overseas stripes. In the latter you find a date that a replacement group arrived overseas or just make a reasonable one up.
Now you have to do your research and find out what campaigns and such your unit (down to the battalion in cases) served in to determine dates and number of functions for correct "award tallying."
For example my Class A's.
Service Stripes
My persona joined the National Guard March, 1939. Now I can't find the WW2 regs on service stripes. According to the modern regs its 3yrs for honorable service whether Regulars, Guards, or Reserves. I think that held true back then. So this particular man would have had one service stripe in March (and therefore)June of '44 and would be eligible for his second March of 1945. So for my chosen time period. One Service Stripe.
Overseas Stripes
This is a relatively easy one. My persona was with the 133rd before they shipped overseas. They left Brooklyn 19 February 1942 and arrived Belfast, England 1 March 1942. I dunno if transit time is included so I left it off. So the time starts the moment the unit hit England. 6 months per stripe. So on Sep '42 he would be authorized one, Mar '43-two, Sep '43-three, Mar '44-four. Since June pops up before September that means this man would be wearing Four overseas stripes
Combat Infantry Badge
This badge was approved on 7 Oct 1943. So if the time you are representing is before that... then no CIB. Though it was retroactive to 6 Dec 1941. Any infantryman involved in combat in WW2 would have one. Since this "character" was involved in the ETO since Tunisia he has most certainly been in combat and would have one for his uniform in Jun '44.
Marksmanship Badges
Really there is nothing to say you have or haven't qualified with the weapons. But do some common sense. Don't wear only an expert with 10 bars. Thats stupid theres no one that would constantly have good days and if there was, he would be a rare individual. I choose one Expert with a Rifle bar (I haven't qualified expert with an M1 nor a 1903, but shooting knowledge can transcend barriers if you have the fundamentals down). And Marksman with a Pistol-D and Auto Rifle bar. This represents the weapons I am either assigned or I do use. I could go overboard and put everything possible but I'm not sure if that was done or not so I'll keep it simple for now. See the link to figure out which bars did exist then. If you are a TO&E assigned person to that weapon then get that bar. (I.e. Myself and the BAR) or if you have a weapon. If bought a carbine I'd probably add the bar. But beware: Carbine wasn't a qual bar until 1944.
American Defense Service Medal
This one is easy. It was authorized for "award to personnel for active duty service from 8 September 1939 to 7 December 1941 for a period of twelve months or longer." So my unit was activated 5 March 1941 which means they became a component of the regular army. My persona would not have an American Defense Ribbon. This was meant for the regulars serving in that time or units who were activated early as a stage up to the war itself or for internal matters resulting from the depression.
American Campaign Medal
Criteria is:
So this Soldier would have it as an award. Since he is permanently Outside the CONUS. But no one should have stars. The only combat action taking place in what was the American Theater was mostly anti-submarine warfare. So if you want to portray a sailor by all means...
Also remember that there is approval for wear of the uniform of a specific individual of the 442nd/34th if you become intimate with their life story and actions that contributed to the awards. Remember that you are wearing their story and that you should uphold it honorably.
1. MOST IMPORTANT
What time period am I portraying? This matters you need an exact date that you are portraying with your class A Uniform. I think mid-June, 1944 is a perfect date to portray as the division was pulled to the rear and practically EVERYONE took passes to Rome. Post-war is another popular time, especially for the 442nd since it would allow an accurate wear of the 442 SSI. Its time enough to maybe put some overseas or service stripes on your uniform unless you are a portraying a newer replacement. But also both fronts were obviously very active in this timeframe. While D-Day was occurring the Italian units were tied up in the Rome-Arno and Northern Appeninnes campaign.
2. When did you join the National Guard or Regular Army? Or when where you drafted? And into which unit?
This is mainly used as a basis for a few items. One is your Time in Service for your service stripe(s) and the Good Conduct Medal. Another is to find out what unit you were in and you get two scenarios either A. You moved with a unit on its initial movements or B. You joined it later. In the first case we use the unit histories to find when they arrived overseas to judge for Overseas stripes. In the latter you find a date that a replacement group arrived overseas or just make a reasonable one up.
Now you have to do your research and find out what campaigns and such your unit (down to the battalion in cases) served in to determine dates and number of functions for correct "award tallying."
For example my Class A's.
Service Stripes
My persona joined the National Guard March, 1939. Now I can't find the WW2 regs on service stripes. According to the modern regs its 3yrs for honorable service whether Regulars, Guards, or Reserves. I think that held true back then. So this particular man would have had one service stripe in March (and therefore)June of '44 and would be eligible for his second March of 1945. So for my chosen time period. One Service Stripe.
Overseas Stripes
This is a relatively easy one. My persona was with the 133rd before they shipped overseas. They left Brooklyn 19 February 1942 and arrived Belfast, England 1 March 1942. I dunno if transit time is included so I left it off. So the time starts the moment the unit hit England. 6 months per stripe. So on Sep '42 he would be authorized one, Mar '43-two, Sep '43-three, Mar '44-four. Since June pops up before September that means this man would be wearing Four overseas stripes
Combat Infantry Badge
This badge was approved on 7 Oct 1943. So if the time you are representing is before that... then no CIB. Though it was retroactive to 6 Dec 1941. Any infantryman involved in combat in WW2 would have one. Since this "character" was involved in the ETO since Tunisia he has most certainly been in combat and would have one for his uniform in Jun '44.
Marksmanship Badges
Really there is nothing to say you have or haven't qualified with the weapons. But do some common sense. Don't wear only an expert with 10 bars. Thats stupid theres no one that would constantly have good days and if there was, he would be a rare individual. I choose one Expert with a Rifle bar (I haven't qualified expert with an M1 nor a 1903, but shooting knowledge can transcend barriers if you have the fundamentals down). And Marksman with a Pistol-D and Auto Rifle bar. This represents the weapons I am either assigned or I do use. I could go overboard and put everything possible but I'm not sure if that was done or not so I'll keep it simple for now. See the link to figure out which bars did exist then. If you are a TO&E assigned person to that weapon then get that bar. (I.e. Myself and the BAR) or if you have a weapon. If bought a carbine I'd probably add the bar. But beware: Carbine wasn't a qual bar until 1944.
American Defense Service Medal
This one is easy. It was authorized for "award to personnel for active duty service from 8 September 1939 to 7 December 1941 for a period of twelve months or longer." So my unit was activated 5 March 1941 which means they became a component of the regular army. My persona would not have an American Defense Ribbon. This was meant for the regulars serving in that time or units who were activated early as a stage up to the war itself or for internal matters resulting from the depression.
American Campaign Medal
Criteria is:
3. Criteria: a. The American Campaign Medal was awarded to personnel for service within the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 under any of the following conditions.
(1) On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States.
(2) Permanently assigned as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 days or 60 nonconsecutive days.
(3) Permanently assigned as a member of an operating crew of an airplane actually making regular and frequent flights over ocean waters for a period of 30 days.
(4) Outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 days not consecutive.
(5) In active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that he actually participated in combat.
(6) Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year.
b. The eastern boundary of the American Theater is from the North Pole, south along the 75th meridian west longitude to the 77th parallel north latitude, then southeast through Davis Strait to the intersection of the 40th parallel north latitude and the 35th meridian west longitude, then south along the meridian to the 10th parallel north latitude, then southeast to the intersection of the Equator and the 20th meridian west longitude, then south along the 20th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. The western boundary is from the North Pole, south along the 141st meridian west longitude to the east boundary of Alaska, then south and southeast along the Alaska boundary to the Pacific Ocean, then south along the 130th meridian to its intersection with the 30th parallel north latitude, then southeast to the intersection of the Equator and the 100th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. The American Theater included North America (excluding Alaska) and South America.
(1) On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States.
(2) Permanently assigned as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 days or 60 nonconsecutive days.
(3) Permanently assigned as a member of an operating crew of an airplane actually making regular and frequent flights over ocean waters for a period of 30 days.
(4) Outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 days not consecutive.
(5) In active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that he actually participated in combat.
(6) Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year.
b. The eastern boundary of the American Theater is from the North Pole, south along the 75th meridian west longitude to the 77th parallel north latitude, then southeast through Davis Strait to the intersection of the 40th parallel north latitude and the 35th meridian west longitude, then south along the meridian to the 10th parallel north latitude, then southeast to the intersection of the Equator and the 20th meridian west longitude, then south along the 20th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. The western boundary is from the North Pole, south along the 141st meridian west longitude to the east boundary of Alaska, then south and southeast along the Alaska boundary to the Pacific Ocean, then south along the 130th meridian to its intersection with the 30th parallel north latitude, then southeast to the intersection of the Equator and the 100th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. The American Theater included North America (excluding Alaska) and South America.
So this Soldier would have it as an award. Since he is permanently Outside the CONUS. But no one should have stars. The only combat action taking place in what was the American Theater was mostly anti-submarine warfare. So if you want to portray a sailor by all means...
