Seeking information about my father's time in Normandy -just after D-Day

I’ve long wanted to learn about my father’s US Army service and experience in WWII. Unfortunately, he died when I was just 9 years old, so I’ve never had the opportunity to talk with him about it. I’ve recently been able to put some things together from the few military items that I have of his, but I would like to learn more, if that is possible. I happened upon this forum while Googling and have already found it very interesting when reading some posts, though I do see that most are a bit dated. I’d be very grateful for any information that anyone would like to offer.


The information that I have comes from his actual Honorable Discharge document, his military grave marker, an undated news article from a Camp Grant, Illinois newspaper, his War Department identification card, and 2 uniform parts (2 caduceus lapel pins, and and a US Army Driver and Mechanic Qualification badge) I also have several bw photo’s of him and other soldiers -which appear to be them on leave in Belgium. Oddly enough, there are no non-leave photos. Maybe they were not permitted to take photos in Normandy?


Honorable Discharge: I do consider myself fortunate to have this actual document. I know the governments records of him are among those lost in the 1973 fire in St. Louis. I’ll list the relevant parts below.


Fred K. Potter 31 408 747 Technician Fifth Grade

Headquarters Company Normandy Base Section

Arm or Service: MD (I believe this is Medical Department.)

5. Component: AUS

Date of Separation: 22 May 46

8. Place of Separation: Ft Devens Mass

22. Date of Induction: 16 Dec 43

24. Date of Entry Into Active Service: 7 Jan 44

25. Place of Entry Into Service: New Haven Conn

26. Military Occupational Speciality and No.: Truck Driver Heavy 931

32. Battles and Campaigns: Northern France

33. Decorations and Citations: Good Conduct Medal, European Africa Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, Victory Medal (I have requested his medals through NPRC.)

36. Service Outside Continental US and Return: Date of Departure: 26 Jul 44 Destination: Eur Afr Mid ET Date of Arrival: 7 Aug 44 Foreign Service: Years 1 Months 9 Days 22

38. Highest Grade Held: Tec 5 Date of Departure: 8 May 46 Destination: US Date of Arrival: 17 May 46


War Department identification card: Issued 22 July 1944 Designation: Pvt MD Countersigned: Signature is illegible, but Capt TC is typed

Back of card has a large red cross and says: “The bearer of this card is engaged exclusively in the removal, transportation and treatment of the wounded and sick, or the administration of sanitary formations and establishments, or as a member of the Chaplains Corps’ and is entitled to respect and protection from the enemies of the United States as required by Article 9 of the Geneva Convention…”


Some of my questions are:

Where exactly was Headquarters Company Normandy Base Section? I lean towards Valognes, but I really have not been able to find anything on this. Was it a building, a camp, an an organization spread out throughout Northern France?


Was my father a medic or ambulance driver? The War Department identification card, the MD on his Honorable discharge document, and the caduceus lapel pins lead me to believe that he had a medical role. From the news article, he did spend some time at Fort Grant, Illinois -which from Googling “was a major World War II U.S. Army Medical Department training center, preparing approximately 100,000 medical personnel, including technicians and nurses, for service.” This conflicts with his MOS that is listed on his Honorable Discharge document which states “Truck Driver Heavy 931.” Perhaps after the first few months there was not a need for ambulances, and he moved on to operating heavy trucks? Did he move on to the Paris liberation? (On a personal note, I do find the medical part very interesting, because I spent a career as a paramedic.)

Again, I’d be very grateful for any information or insights that anyone in this forum would like to offer -or other related forums to explore.

 

Thanks for catching that Pat. Yes, my error. That digit is a 9, not a 4.

 

Thank you Pat!

Fred

 

Thank you Pat. I appreciate each tidbit of information that could potentially lead to more. I am 100% certain that he was trained at Camp Grant in Illinois, after basic training at Ft Devens (MA.) I also know that medical training was a major part of what they did at Ft. Grant. His War Dept ID card with the red cross on the back, along with the Geneva Convention reference is compelling. However, I cannot ignore what is listed on his Honorable Discharge document "Military Occupational Specialty and No.: Truck Driver Heavy 931" Could an MOS have changed midstream?

His arrival in France was Aug 7, 1944 D+63, so I'd believe the heavy fighting had passed by then.

Again, much appreciation.

Fred

 

I do not have any of his uniforms Pat. I do have some photos of him in uniform. The pic, with his friend Lenard (who I met 32 years ago, but is now deceased) shows a patch. I cannot identify it, but perhaps someone familiar with patches can. Any idea of what the 2 items on his uniform left breast are?

Fred

 

Wow -I do agree John...

 

TY John. I see European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with 1 bronze service star. I have sent for his medals, and they're approved. just waiting for them to be shipped.

Also, Good conduct Medal & World War II Victory Medal.