6 Replies Latest reply on Feb 15, 2019 1:46 PM by Rebecca Collier

I am looking for records for my grandfather-Joseph N Christman

Dale Dewitt Jan 30, 2019 10:50 AM

Looking for service records including any citations, for my grandfather Joseph N Christman

I found the following and want to verify and find out more:

Joseph N Christman

A.S.N. : 17157314

DOB : 1924

NATIONALITY : AMERICAN

RANK : PRIVATE FIRST CLASS

UNIT : 101ST A.D. - 501ST PIR - 3RD BN - CO.

ENLISTMENT

DATE : 1942

RESIDENCE : KANSAS (KS), NEMAHA COUNTY

PLACE : MINNESOTA - FT SNELLING

EDUCATION : UNKNOW

CIVILIAN OCCUPATION : UNKNOW

MARITAL STATUS : UNKNOW

EVENT 1 TO 1

DATE : JUNE 6, 1944

UNIT : 101ST A.D. - 501ST PIR - 3RD BN - CO. I

RANK : PRIVATE FIRST CLASS

EVENT : BRONZE STAR MEDAL

SOURCE : 101ST AD - GENERAL ORDERS #1944-21

I heard too that he was captured at some point.

My wife and I are going to Normandy in May and I would love to have more information about his service

Thanks,

Dale

Re: I am looking for records for my grandfather-Joseph N Christman

Elliot Schneider Jan 31, 2019 12:47 PM (in response to Dale Dewitt)

Mr. Dewitt,

I found him in my book, he was listed as Wounded/POW Wardin, Belgium. Also listed the bronze star GO# for 1944. No other documented citations listed. I would advise that you try to get him upgraded for the purple heart especially if there is documentation regarding him being wounded. It may also be beneficial for you to seek out his VA records since he may over the years went to seek treatment at the VA. They may also have records of him after liberation being sent to hospital in Belgium.

Thanks,

Elliot Schneider
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- Re: I am looking for records for my grandfather-Joseph N Christman
  
  Dale Dewitt Jan 31, 2019 2:46 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)
  
  Thank you so much! We are also going to belgium on our trip so this adds even more history to our trip.
  
  Looking forward to requesting more records!
  
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  - Re: I am looking for records for my grandfather-Joseph N Christman
    
    Elliot Schneider Jan 31, 2019 3:02 PM (in response to Dale Dewitt)
    
    Dale,
    
    Like I mentioned I believe that all POW can apply for the PH. Please see information below.
    
    WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Department of Defense officials announced Oct. 6 that eligibility criteria for the Purple Heart have been expanded to permit prisoners of war who died in captivity to receive the award.
    
    The revised department policy presumes, for service members who die in captivity as a qualifying prisoner of war, that their death was the "result of enemy action," or the result of wounds incurred "in action with the enemy" during capture, or as a result of wounds incurred as a "result of enemy action" during capture, unless compelling evidence is presented to the contrary.
    
    The revised policy allows retroactive award of the Purple Heart to qualifying prisoners of war since Dec. 7, 1941. A posthumous award will be made to the deceased service member's representative, as designated by the secretary of the military department concerned, upon application to that military department.
    
    Each military department will publish application procedures and ensure they are accessible by the general public. Family members with questions may contact the services:
    
    -- Air Force: Air Force Personnel Center, (800) 616-3775;
    -- Army: Military Awards Branch, (703) 325-8700;
    -- Navy: Navy Personnel Command, Retired Records Section, (314) 592-1150;
    -- Marine Corps: Military Awards Branch, (703) 784-9340.
    
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    - Re: I am looking for records for my grandfather-Joseph N Christman
      
      Elliot Schneider Jan 31, 2019 3:11 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)
      
      Dale,
      
      Here is information on your grandfather and what camp.
      
      Camp: Stalag 9C Bad Sulza Saxe-Weimar 51-11
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      - Re: I am looking for records for my grandfather-Joseph N Christman
        
        Dale Dewitt Jan 31, 2019 3:24 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)
        
        Thank you Elliot this is very helpful. Im trying to put together records for my mom to have.
        
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Re: I am looking for records for my grandfather-Joseph N Christman

Rebecca Collier Feb 15, 2019 1:46 PM (in response to Dale Dewitt)

Dear Mr. Dewitt,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We checked the World War II Order of Battle and the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was not attached to the 101st Airborne Division but the 502nd PIR was. Therefore, we searched the World War II Operations Reports, 1940 - 1948 in the Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1905-1981 (Record Group 407) and located histories for August 1942 to July 1944; after action reports for December 1944 to February 1945 and April to May 1945; reports of activity for 21 February to 2 March 1944; unit studies for June & September 1944; field orders for 3rd Battalion for 28 May 1944; general orders for 1942-1943; etc. of the 502nd PIR. 101st Airborne Division General Order No. 21 (1944) includes Joseph N. Christman under the listing for Bronze Star. For access to and/or copies of these files, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.

Morning reports for Army units for WWII are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis (RL-SL), MO. Please contact RL-SL for access to these records. The address is the National Archives in St. Louis, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138-1002 and the email address is stl.archives@nara.gov.

RL-SL also has microfilm copies of most of the monthly rosters from 1912-43 and 1947-59 for Army units. Please be aware that rosters for units serving in World War II from 1944-46 were destroyed in accordance with Army disposition authorities.

We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!

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