Question/ discussion about 03's in combat.....

[ABPOS]

Sorry if this has been done to death, but I figured what the hay anyways.

I've been back into researching my Grandpa's service and found out some more things from some different sources. And of course one thing I would love to know is what he might have carried. In which I have no clue as I don't have any pics of him in combat or even with a rifle in his hand. My Grandma has a few pictures of him up at Camp McCoy during training, but he didn't have a rifle in his hands.

Anyways......

On the company report I saw the list of when he was KIA and it had his MOS next to him. It was (745). Which is "Squad Leader". And some others that might know suggested that a Sgt that was a 745 was typically an assistant Squad leader to a staff sergeant Squad leader. And then one re enacting website said an assistant squad leader typically carried an 03 with a grenade launcher attachment. So if a squad ran up against a heavy weapon it needed to defeat, they would have means. This was obviously one interpretation but it seems it might have some merit. I many times see 03's in pictures, even with a bunch of guys having Garands in the same pic. There are two pics in the Garand forum right now that show this.

And the pictures are many times pics of the guys in Combat. Not just training pics.

So, do you think there is some merit to this? I'm assuming my Grandpa probably handled most of the small arms at one time another, but I don't know really what. I do know that he had Ranger training in Ireland and the other members of that division said if he had Ranger training in Ireland, it most likely was a continuation from the states. So... He was ranger trained, and he was a 745 at the time of his death. July 26th 1944. In France near St. George D'Elle at the onset of Operation Cobra. From what I can tell he was probably killed on the 25th but not official until the 26th.

Sgt James Lafate Rea 2ID, 23rd IR, E Company. I know some of you have seen me post this before, but of course I'm proud to do it again.

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[Jim Tarleton]

Sounds reasonable enough. Researching ancestors can be fun, but aggravating at times. I spent a lot of time researching my grandfather (WWI, 167th Inf), only to discover the most information was at his old local courthouse (copy of discharge papers). Anyone who researches my military records is going to go nuts. I spent most of my time in the mountains, but my records don't even mention it. Most of my photos are from the mountains.

Jim

[ABPOS]

Well thank you for serving!! In the mountains and out of the mountains.

That must be interesting to look into WWI History. This Grandpa's Mom, my Great Grandma, was married to someone who served in WWI. According to my sister. She was working on Ancestry.com. What's not clear is if it was My Grandpa's father or not. (By blood) I don't think it was though.

[Salt Flat]

Abpos, Did you Google search on his unit number? I was able to find a webpage on my uncle's unit (515th Field Artillery Battalion). It had hundreds of pictures. I really couldn't find one of him but got a real feel for how it was as they moved across France and into Germany. Salt Flat

[Calif-Steve]

My Uncle, Dee, was a Sgt/Staff Sgt in Italy in WWII. He saw piles of tough combat and was a Platoon Leader most of his tiime. Walked up Italy and ended the war near the Swiss border. LONG walk. Not sure about your Grand Dad, likely he was a Platoon Leader as well. I'm sorry he didn't make it back I'm sure he was missed for years and years.

[Rick the Librarian]

Personally, if he was a squad leader, I believe he carried an M1 Garand.

[ABPOS]

Personally, if he was a squad leader, I believe he carried an M1 Garand.

I'm sure that is very likely. But not necessarily definitive. hehehe.

[Bill Hollinger]

At that point in the war maybe even a carbine. Looking up his unit sounds like the best thing to do. I looked up my uncle's unit and found copies of the unit log book with hand written pages by my uncle. Cool stuff! Contact members of the unit site. Someone may have known him, been his best friend. When I did one of the WWII vets had pictures of him that he passed on to me. You never know until you ask.

[Rick the Librarian]

Possibly a carbine, but definitely not a M1903/03A3.

[ABPOS]

Possibly a carbine, but definitely not a M1903/03A3.

I'm curious as to why you say that with such "definitiveness". (not really a word, hehehe, I don't think) There is a couple of famous pictures of the 2nd ID guys coming up the beach and there are definitely 03's being carried. If you need me to, I think I can dig up the right picture. Possibly.

Another thing is I think it is very likely that he carried one of those in training. Or I think a possibility. The 2nd ID was around since WWI, and I think the 23rd IR was too. If my memory serves me correct. It's possible they were all up to date with Garand's by 42. But maybe not. But maybe you know more about the division than I do. I don't say that disrespectfully. I mean it's possible that you really do. I don't know your background. That's why I'm asking why you make such a definitive statement about it, given the data I've collected.

http://42054697.nhd.weebly.com/2nd-i...-division.html

It's that picture there. I have seen larger views of that picture. I think I might even have one on my computer somewhere. And there is an 03 or two in those first few guys.