14 Replies Latest reply on Jun 18, 2019 2:37 PM by Brendan Grahn

Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather

Brendan Grahn Jun 7, 2019 12:02 PM

I'm seeking information on my great grandfather, Wilbur B McAllister, born 1901, Major, US Army (Engineer) during WWII. He received a variety of medals which we recently received replacements of, however a silver star ribbon found on his WW2 uniform remains unaccounted for. His discharge documents do not mention it, however his uniforms from the war have the ribbon and when donated to a local historical society, also had a separate silver star in it's blue box. The silver star however was unfortunately stolen many years ago.

I am trying to find any type of record showing the silver star, to share with my grandfather. I have plenty of additional info on my great grandfather that I can provide as needed.

Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather

Elliot Schneider Jun 11, 2019 8:44 AM (in response to Brendan Grahn)

Brenden,

Willing to help with this do you have any additional information about grandfathers military service including and unit information. Just to be clear your saying he was issued a Silver Star Medal? The reason for the question is that sometimes people confuse the stars on a ribbon for the silver star, these are seperate and the stars you see on the campaign ribbon are called battle stars signifying that his unit took part in certain battles within the campaign. Please send any additional information that may help others.

Thanks,

Elliot Schneider
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- Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
  
  Brendan Grahn Jun 11, 2019 12:02 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)
  
  Hi Elliot,
  
  Thank you very much for the reply! Let me share the information I have between his paperwork, family stories and the recent rediscovery of 3 of his donated uniforms.
  
  My great grandfather served with the 1173rd Engineer Combat Group
  Army Serial # 0 301 037
  
  Information from 'Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service' (February 27th, 1946)
  Battles and Campaigns - Northern France GO 33 WD 45 / Rhineland GO 40 WD 45
  Decorations and Citations - European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, American Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Medal
  
  I recently found 3 of his uniforms at the local historical society, 20+ years after their donation. Ever since I was a child, my family told stories of the day that his uniforms were donated and the 'silver star medal in a blue box' that accompanied them. Shortly after the donation and display of the uniform, the medal was stolen. After rediscovering the uniforms after all these years, they tell a slightly different story than the paperwork.
  
  I have included a close up of the ribbon rack. As best as I can tell, this shows:
  
  World War II Victory Medal
  American Campaign Medal
  European African Middle Eastern Service Medal
  With 4 Battle stars (paperwork only shows Northern France/Rhineland)
  American Defense Medal
  Silver Star
  
  The two things I have been unable to explain are, what are the other 2 battle stars representative of and what is the story behind the Silver Star ribbon.
  
  If there is any other information that would assist, I'd be happy to help as best as I can.
  
  - Brendan
  
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  - Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
    
    Elliot Schneider Jun 11, 2019 2:26 PM (in response to Brendan Grahn)
    
    Brenden,
    
    Sometimes the battles each unit was involved were not officially recognized at the time your grandfather was in. Its possible that the WD acknowledge his unit that served in additional battles. Thanks for the additional information will check my resources.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Elliot Schneider
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    - Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
      
      Elliot Schneider Jun 11, 2019 3:24 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)
      
      Brenden,
      
      Do you know your Great Granfather retired as an Lt.Col in 1961, please contact if you need at the following
      
      schnee59@uwosh.edu
      
      Thanks,
      
      Elliot Schneider
      
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    - Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
      
      Brendan Grahn Jun 11, 2019 7:03 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)
      
      That is very interesting and not something I would have thought of.
      
      Really hoping you're able to find a bit more information. I really appreciate you looking into things!
      
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      - Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
        
        Elliot Schneider Jun 12, 2019 3:18 PM (in response to Brendan Grahn)
        
        Brenden,
        
        I would also advise you have your mother or father request his Full Military File utilizing an SF 180 I suggest this because he did retired all his service records from the National Guard, Active Dervice and Army Reserve Service would most likely be all together. They will need your parents to fill out showing the next of kin relationship if they have death certificate and copy of death notice from paper.
        
        Thanks,
        
        Elliot Schneider
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        Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
        
        Brendan Grahn Jun 12, 2019 6:12 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)
        
        Elliot,
        
        I did know that he retired a Lt Col, but was unsure of the year. I will look into the SF 180 and getting his full record. Since it is for my great grandfather, I will contact my grandfather on this as soon as possible. Looking forward to any other findings you may turn up!
        
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        Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
        
        Brendan Grahn Jun 13, 2019 8:18 AM (in response to Brendan Grahn)
        
        After looking into that route to obtain his full military records, I was reminded that that was the way we attempted to do so about a year and a half ago. Unfortunately, their response was that his records had been destroyed in the fire.
        
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        Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
        
        Elliot Schneider Jun 13, 2019 9:30 AM (in response to Brendan Grahn)
        
        Brenden,
        
        Here is more information,
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Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather

Brendan Grahn Jun 14, 2019 4:15 PM (in response to Brendan Grahn)

I am also seeking any and all information on the 1173rd Engineer Combat Group. My understanding is that their composition changed from time to time based on projects, but that they typically were in command of 3-5 engineer battalions.

The only reference I have found to date that mentions battalions that fell under the 1173rd's control was in 'Cleveland County in WW2', a book by Anita Price Davis and m. James Walker.

"In November 1944, three battalions— 20th Combat Engineers, 1340th Combat Engineers, and 146th Combat Engineers—of the 1173rd Engineer Group committed as infantry. Their task was to recapture Vossenack from the Germans "
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Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather

Becca Simons Jun 17, 2019 11:49 AM (in response to Brendan Grahn)

Dear Mr. Grahn,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the Unit Histories, 1943 - 1967 in the Records of U.S. Army Operational, Tactical, and Support Organizations (World War II and Thereafter) (Record Group 338) and the World War II Operations Reports, 1940 - 1948 in the Records of the Adjutant General's Office (Record Group 407) but were unable to locate any records of the 1173rd Engineer Combat Group during WWII.

We also searched the Silver Star listings prepared by the U.S. Army but could not locate a soldier named Wilbur B. McAllister.

We hope this information is helpful.

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- Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
  
  Brendan Grahn Jun 17, 2019 12:59 PM (in response to Becca Simons)
  
  Ms. Simons,
  
  Thank you very much for your search into the unit histories and silver star listings. This is disappointing to hear, but after much of my research, I can understand your difficulties in finding more information on the unit (and my great grandfather).
  
  Best,
  Brendan
  
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Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather

Elliot Schneider Jun 18, 2019 11:26 AM (in response to Brendan Grahn)

Brenden,

Here is what I would have your Grandfather do. Try doing 2 seperate SF180 one for his National Guard Service and the Other for his Army Reserve records. The reason I say this is because he had two separate service numbers one for National guard and the other for the Reserves. They may have decided to store all his records under the National Guard records and vice versa. It is worth a try, sometimes its worth trying everything first. You may want to also try contacting local VFW or ROA also known as Reserve Officer Association.

Customer Service
roainfo@roa.org
(202) 479-2200
(800) 809-9448

Mailing Address
1 Constitution Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002

Thanks,

Elliot Schneider
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- Re: Silver Star Citation for Great Grandfather
  
  Brendan Grahn Jun 18, 2019 2:37 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)
  
  This is VERY helpful Elliot. I will have him complete two separate SF180s and will reach out to the VFW / ROA.
  
  I know my great grandfather was very active in the retired officer space after his time in the service, even being a figurehead for New England I believe.
  
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