WAAAAY OT: Need army research help

[Guest guest]

Butch (and any others in the know),

 

I just came back from vacation spent with my dad for his 85th birthday.

I learned so much that I didn't already know about his years in the

service. But (being 65+ years ago) he can't remember quite a few of the

details. I would like to do some research for him (and for me) about

the campaigns he was in as well as any other information I can find. So

my question is: Where do I start? He was in the 145 Field Artillery

Battalion, that, for most of his time, was called the Little Orphan

Annie Unit because it wasn't attached to a division. This unit would

just go where it was needed. They received many commendations and were

known for their accuracy. He served in the pacific, on the islands of

Kwajalein, Tinnian, Saipan, and eventually on Okinawa. He received the

Bronze star for his work in developing a system of communication between

the gunner sergeant and the gunners as well as " fixing " the radio system

on the observation planes to extend past 1 mile up to 12 miles. (Excuse

me if I use any of the words wrong, because of my Dad's service-and

many others'-- I live(d) in a time when all these words weren't used

very often, at least outside of the military) I know you are supposed

to tell which campaign a person was in by the ribbons, so is there a way

for non-military personnel to research this out? Anyway, ANY direction

you could point me would be appreciated.

 

Karen J