What does the "med" abbreviation mean in his unit identification?

He died in an accident when my mom was only 3 years old and so information about him and his time in the war has been very limited. I'd love to know more. I do know that he somehow earned a Bronze Star and at least one Purple Heart during the Bulge.

From my research it seems that the unit was part of 7th Armored. Can anyone confirm that?

Thanks for any information!

Another question:

I'm reading a diary written by someone who was in company B of the 129th. Apparently the battalion contained 3 companies and I'm not sure which one my grandfather was in but I suspect it wasn't B.

With the way Army battalions were structured during WWII, would someone in, let's say, A Company, have been in the general vicinity of someone in Company B?

Found this link:

http://www.7tharmddiv.org/129ord.htm

Under the "Books that mention" section it has a link to a .doc that someone put together from the unit reports. Might find some helpful information in there.

Medium?

Google came up with: ordnance medium maintenance company

Yeah I've been really interested in looking around that 7th Armored site.

so, what does "medium" pertain to?

Most likely the size of the "ordnance", but I'm an AF puke, so what do I know.

I think it refers to the level of repair. Light might mean tuneup and oil change, medium more extensive repairs, and heavy might mean complete overhaul. But I'm just shooting in the dark, too.

What about the line where it says "World War Two BSM"? Does it stand for Bronze Star Medal?

[This message has been edited by CanyonAg77 (edited 9/1/2013 10:35p).]

Online history, Battle of the Bulge

quote:

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What about the line where it says "World War Two BSM"? Does it stand for Bronze Star Medal?

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Yes.

Thanks for all the input guys!

[This message has been edited by Teacher_Ag (edited 9/2/2013 12:25a).]

Ordnance companies in the army can be either ammo or maintenance. Medium maintenance means trucks, big trucks, etc. light would be weapons, jeeps, etc. heavy would be tanks.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/FM/PDFs/FM9-10.PDF

In WWII looks like they worked on Tanks. Several sites suggest they worked on every thing from .50's to 155mm/8 inch SP Guns including retrieval.

They were definitly at the BoB.
http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/944ULAB.pdf


http://www.veteransofthebattleofthebulge.org/vbob/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/go1141.pdf

http://www.7tharmddiv.org/docrep/N-7AD-GO-All.doc

This after action report lists all decorations won by men of the 7th A.D. So, my grandfather's name should be there and it isn't.

Is it possible he won his Bronze Star in some action with a different unit before he was transferred to the 129th? Now I'm really baffled.

The Bronze Star does not necessarily mean your grandfather saw action. If it has a "V" device, then it is for heroism in combat. I have heard that they passed out Bronze Stars to soldiers on their way home in 1945 and 1946 for meritorious service. Today, officers receive them upon completion of their deployments having never seen combat.

[This message has been edited by Rabid Cougar (edited 9/2/2013 8:38p).]

I've got the official 7th AD historian looking into things for me and they're going to ask around at the reunion here in a few weeks to see if any of the old vets from the 129th knew my grandpa. Y'all keep your fingers crossed that I find something. I'll update you here if I do. Thanks again!

Canyon - level of repair was my second quess.

Check out this URL:
http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/go4944.pdf
As you can see there are a couple of similar units to your granddad's...e.g. 566th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company.
Even better, your granddad's unit is listed on page 11 of the PDF document of units with battle credit for the Ardennes and the Battle of the Bulge:
http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/go4944.pdf[
I think that pretty well nails the answer for you.

And check out this page as well:
http://www.7tharmddiv.org/129ord.htm
Looks like it was a part of 7th Armored Division and there is a link on the page to books and documents about the 7AD.