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A Labor of Love and Honor
I made these blog posts back when my grandfather passed away. I can’t say enough about the hard working, kind, caring, generous, and strong man he was. He was one of the strongest influences in my life, I would not be the man I am today if he wasn’t around to help teach me what is right. The world is a poorer place for him having passed. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, and a hero. And I’m doing my very best to honor and remember him.
He served in the US Army, 1st Cavalry Division, 82nd Field Artillery Battalion, “A” Battery in Japan and Korea. He was enlisted from 1949 to 1953. He exited service at the rank of CPL with an honorable discharge and a silver service star with arrowhead device. He came home to West Virgina, started a family, and worked in the coal mines.
I have a rope-bound book that was given to members of his unit in Japan titled :
“82nd Artillery Battalion, Organization Day, June 6th 1950, Camp Whittington, Kagohara Japan”
This book has unit photos stapled in it and rosters of the units. The photos of “A” Battery with my grandfather and a couple more are missing. I have been trying to find any info on how I can replace or get copies of the photos in it. This would mean so much to me and my family.
*****UPDATE 3/10/2012*****
I now have the missing photos! My family and I want to thank David A. Smith- 1st Cav, 82nd FA BN, “A” Battery for the photos and
Daniel P. Gillotti- Historian, 30th FA & 82nd FA Regiments, who sent them to me. Thanks to them this book is now complete.
Above: This is the cover of the book. The gate leading to Camp Whittington. Thanks to David A. Smith and Daniel P. Gillotti.
Above: Page 1. Featuring the 1st Cavalry Division’s crest on the left and the 82nd’s crest on the right. The 82nd’s motto was: “Can and Will”
Above: Pages 2-6, History of the 82nd Field Artillery Battalion
Above: The roster and photo of the 82nd FA BN officers.
Above: HQ Battery roster and photo.
Above: Roster and photo of “A” Battery. This is the Battery my grandfather was in. Thanks to David A. Smith and Daniel Gillotti.
Above: The roster and photo of “B” Battery.
Above: SV B2 Battery roster and photo.
Above: This is what I believe is the main camp building or barracks.
Above: These are a couple of photos of awards being received. The one on the left is an award for best “Day Room”. The photo on the right is a plaque with the Battalion’s crest on it being awarded.
The next page of the book is marked “Autographs”, the last page is blank. There are no autographs in the book though.
Thank you for viewing, I hope you enjoyed this great piece of history, in honor of my grandfather and all those who served or are still serving.