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mmnord
Junior Member
Member # 1190
Posts: 4
From: Mpls, MN
Registered: 6/27/2010
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posted 6/27/2010 5:59:54 PM    
My Grandfather, Benny Arechiga 493rd HQ, just celebrated his 89th birthday recently and I made a movie about his military service.
Without the help of this VERY informative site I would not have been able to achieve what I did. So first, THANK YOU to all who contribute!
My Grandfather swears there is a medal of some sort that was awarded the the 12th but he never received. Is anyone familiar with this and if it's accurate, how would I go about helping him get his due recognition?
You guys are the best, thank you in advance.
Mike - Proud Grandson
mmnord@mywdo.com
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MikeWoldenberg
Junior Member
Member # 16
Posts: 302
From: University at Buffalo (NY)
Registered: 6/1/2004
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posted 6/28/2010 3:22:35 PM
Dear Mike, I don't know much about your question, but
maybe your grandfather is talking about a medal from the
French. There is a medal for the liberation of Colmar, and
also one for the liberation of Alsace-Lorraine. The US
awarded ribbons for the campaigns in Europe. This latter
information of your grandfather's participation in the
campaigns in Europe would be on his papers given to him
when he was discharged. I will try and get you more
specific information.
Have you seen the videos from men of your grandfather's
battalion? Look at the column on the left: ORAL HISTORY VIDEOS. Let me know if the video you made is similar to
these. If so, you might want to provide one for the collection. Please let me know.
Mike Woldenberg
geomike@buffalo.edu
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mmnord
Junior Member
Member # 1190
Posts: 4
From: Mpls, MN
Registered: 6/27/2010
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posted 6/28/2010 7:39:01 PM
Thank you very much for getting back to me Mike. I will keep digging.
As for the movie, I'm not sure anyone besides family would be much interested but let me know where to send it and I will send off a copy. I'm pretty sure I already have it in a number of different formats.
Once again, thank you.
Mike N.
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Guest
Unregistered
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posted 6/29/2010 8:37:57 PM
Dear Mike, I think the medal you're referring to is the Croix DeGuerre. The men of the 12th AD were awarded it for the liberation of Colmar.
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mmnord
Junior Member
Member # 1190
Posts: 4
From: Mpls, MN
Registered: 6/27/2010
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posted 6/30/2010 6:04:01 PM
Thank you SOOO much for the feedback. I am working with the VA to get more clarification.
You guys are great! Thank you!
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Ken Klinedinst
Junior Member
Member # 382
Posts: 16
From: New Hampshire
Registered: 6/19/2009
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posted 7/3/2010 8:50:07 AM
Or it could be The Bronze Star.
"The Bronze Star Medal (or BSM) is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations. Officers from the other federal uniformed services are also eligible to receive the award if they are militarized or detailed to serve with a service branch of the armed forces."
In the case of the 12h AD, an Order was issued for "meritorious service" to all in the 12th. There is reference to this award in Weston Emery's C-66 book. I took a quick look for it, but did not find it. I'll look further this weekend.
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mmnord
Junior Member
Member # 1190
Posts: 4
From: Mpls, MN
Registered: 6/27/2010
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posted 7/5/2010 4:22:43 PM
Thank you so much Ken. I recently submitted to the local VA office for a list of my Grandfathers qualifications but from what I understand, that can take many months.
In the end I would like to present his medals to him in a case on Veterans Day so I guess I have some time.
Thank you all for all of your help.
Mike
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boatbabetn
Junior Member
Member # 953
Posts: 3
From: Nashville, TN
Registered: 5/20/2010
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posted 7/30/2010 5:23:07 PM
Does your grandfather have a copy of the history of the 493rd? My father was in it and I have a copy. If not, I would be glad to look up your grandfather and provide you copies.
My father was William P. (Bunt) Wilson. He was CO of A Battery. Not sure if you grandfather might have had any contact with him or not. Suzy Wilson
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