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Re: Seeking Grave Registration Records
Rebecca Collier
Sep 9, 2019 3:11 PM
4 people found this helpfulDear Mr. Ragolia,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
We searched the World War II Operations Reports, 1940-1948 in the Records of the Adjutant General's Office (Record Group 407) and located a history for January 1943 to January 1945 of the 1st Platoon, 48th Quartermaster Company. For access to and/or copies of these records, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.
No other records of the 48th for 1943 were located. We were unable to locate Grave Registration records of the 3rd Infantry Division. The detailed information you seek from these units was included in IDPF of Captain Wildmann.
We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
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Re: Seeking Grave Registration Records
Dear Rebecca,
As always, thank you for your kind assistance. Unfortunately, the pre-burial/collection information was not included in Capt. Wildmann’s IDPF. Only a one-page burial report is in that file, that has anything to do with the particulars of his death. The reminder is principally personal effects correspondence. The IDPF gives no collection detail other than what cemetery and at what time the burial took place.
Three people signed the burial report - two from the 48th QM, and one by the 3rd Division’s Graves Registration Officer. What I hope to find in those unit’s daily reports is any information pertaining to Capt. Wildmann’s demise, other than what we know what caused his death – a German mine. Unwritten family history has Capt. Wildmann treating injured soldiers when he was killed, but the unit’s daily report lists no other casualties on or around October 7, 1943. The 441st daily report simply states that he was killed by a German mine – that’s it. Because he was Medical Doctor it would be unusual for him to be in an area, not yet cleared of mines, but apparently he was. We’re endeavoring to find out why.
Because numerous German soldiers were treated by our doctors, it is possible that he was treating a German at the time. The Nazis also had the nasty tactic of placing mines under their dead soldiers, wishing the Americans would attempt treatment and get blown up.
I was hopping the the 48th QM and/or the 3rd Division Graves Registration daily reports would provide some detail, as the IDPF does not.
It’s also curious why the burial report was first marked confidential, then changed to restricted status. We also wonder why, although Capt. Wildmann was killed on October 7, 1943, his widow wasn’t notified until November 13, 1943. That’s another unsolved mystery surrounding his death. Any input from the community is welcomed.
I'm going to pursue daily reports from both units. Your continued insights, direction, and assistance is truly valued. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bob Ragolia
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Re: Seeking Grave Registration Records
Dear Mr. Ragolia,
Have you requested his Individual Deceased Personnel File?
The IDPF may contain the information you are seeking about the cause of death.
Dave
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Re: Seeking Grave Registration Records
Dear Dave,
Thank you for your kind assistance. Yes, I have Capt. Wildmann’s IDPF. It doesn’t answer the circumstances surrounding his death, just the cause – a German mine. Only one page out of 97 addresses his burial, the rest principally details the shipment of his personal effects.
I sent a more detailed email request to Rebecca Collier, that is currently being moderated. I believe that email outlines my reasons to secure the details surrounding his death.
I expect that email will be cleared soon, allowing you to understand the full nature of my request. Please let me know if you can’t view that and I’ll be glad to send it to you (once approved).
Again, thank you for your interest and assistance.
Sincerely,
Bob Ragolia
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