Question for Mark in Rochester

[RCS]

Mark,

I found a early gas trap stock in the Wisconsin Barnwood years ago, this stock went through rebuild and has the early (1942) large RA-P stamp before re-issued

The stock is carved G J NOVAK on one side and MARY ANN on the other side.

I would guess Europe and that G T Kovak to be US Army ? Mary Ann could be girlfriend or wife?

I know it is a very long shot, but can you help me. Thanks RobertAttachment 121310Attachment 121311Attachment 121312

Information

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[Mark in Rochester]

Mark,

I found a early gas trap stock in the Wisconsin Barnwood years ago, this stock went through rebuild and has the early (1942) large RA-P stamp before re-issued

The stock is carved G J NOVAK on one side and MARY ANN on the other side.

I would guess Europe and that G T Kovak to be US Army ? Mary Ann could be girlfriend or wife?

I know it is a very long shot, but can you help me. Thanks RobertAttachment 121310Attachment 121311Attachment 121312

I will give it a shot

[Mark in Rochester]

Robert

I found 34 name matches none with a spouse name of Mary Ann
Below are the ones with noted military service.

There were 14 Name matches to Mary Ann Novak - must have been a bad name as none noted husbands

The next steps would be to get a Newspaper archive account and look for an obituary.

George J Novak
BIRTH 1 May 1921
DEATH 4 Apr 1982 (aged 60)
BURIAL Calvary Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, US

Headstone

George J. Novak
CPL US Army
World War II
May 1 1921 - April 4 1982

Gerard J Novak
BIRTH 28 Feb 1926
DEATH 20 Jan 2002 (aged 75)
BURIAL
Calverton National Cemetery
Calverton, Suffolk County, New York, USA
PLOT SECTION 43 SITE 851

SGM US ARMY
S1 US NAVY
WORLD WAR II




George J Novak
BIRTH 1 Jan 1927
DEATH 23 Aug 2002 (aged 75)
BURIAL New Saint Aloysius CemeteryPottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,






George J. Novak
BIRTH 6 Apr 1924
Czech Republic
DEATH 12 Mar 2016 (aged 91)
Shoreline, King County, Washington, USA
BURIAL
Washington Memorial Park

George was born April 6, 1924 in the Czech Republic. He died March 12, 2016 in Shoreline, WA.

He was retired from the United States Air Force after 24 years of service and also served in the United States Army for many years.

He was a beloved husband and father.

George J. Novak
BIRTH 24 Mar 1921
DEATH 4 Aug 1971 (aged 50)
BURIAL
Mountain View Cemetery
Des Arc, Iron County, Missouri, USA








Also found a WW2 Navy and Army Air Corps G. J. Novak

[Mark in Rochester]

This old thread on M1 Garand Forum https://www.m1garandforum.com/forum/...k-s-rife-stock

has the closest name matches - do not think it is your man as Army air corps service



Note Wife's name is Anna not Mary Ann

Not a relative, but I can add a little more to this soldier's story. George J Novak was born on 22 May 1908 in Swoyerville, Luzcerne County, Pennsylvania, USA.

He served in the US Army from his enlistment at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland in 14 April 1944 until his discharge in 8 November 1945 at Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina, USA.

He resided with his wife Mary A. in West Pittston, Luzcerne County, Pennsylvania and died on 22 October 1991.

[RCS]

Mark, thank you for your help in checking the G J KOVAK stock carving. I would think this carving was done in a combat area
outside of the USA. Both the first and second on your posting look like they could be possible ?

The odds are very long when you consider the millions that serviced during WW2

Thanks again for your time and help, Robert

[Mark in Rochester]

Mark, thank you for your help in checking the G J KOVAK stock carving. I would think this carving was done in a combat area
outside of the USA. Both the first and second on your posting look like they could be possible ?

The odds are very long when you consider the millions that serviced during WW2

Thanks again for your time and help, Robert

Glad to do the research. I had one picture of the day and a member said it was his father at west point. In another photo, the local hairdresser stated her father was a radio operator for some army unit 5307 - searching photos I found a photo of Merrill's Marauders radio operator that matched his physical appearance. So you never know

[Mark in Rochester]

WW2 Casualties Database | WW2 Research

Not sure how extensive this list is but no G. Novak from the army appears as causality in ww2

[Mark in Rochester]

Robert - more data additional names from ww2 enlistment data

Mark, thank you for your help in checking the G J KOVAK (looks like Novak to me) stock carving. I would think this carving was done in a combat area
outside of the USAicon. Both the first and second on your posting look like they could be possible ?

I found an early gas trap stock in the Wisconsin Barnwood years ago, this stock went through rebuild and has the early (1942) large RA-P stamp before re-issued

So what we know so far is

1) Gas Trap
2) Overseas
3) Early 1942 Rebuild (Do we have a time frame)
4) G. J. Novak
5) Gas traps were in the Philippines



Questions
1) What other military deployments in WW2 would have Gas Traps that would have come in for rebuild in early 42
2) Can we safely say the stock was carved pre rebuild ? would a carved stock be rejected at rebuild
3) Has the butt been modified?
4) would a soldier enlisted in 1940 have had time to make it to the Philippians? See #1


name Birth Enlisted Enlisted location

1 George J. Novak 1921 8-Jul-1940 Alpena NY Binghampton New York
2 Geroge J, Novak Jr. 1921 11-Mar-1942 Alpena MD Baltimore Maryland
3 George J. Novak 1922 29-Apr-1943 Bastrop NJ Newark, New Jersey
4 George J. Novak 1932 25-May-1942 Bexar, New York Urbana, Illinois
5 George J. Novak 1920 11-Feb-1942 Borden PA New Cumberland PA
6 George J. Novak 1927 18-Nov-1945 Baylor, NJ Ft Dix NJ
7 George J. Novak 1919 27-Mar-1943 Bosque, Ohio Camp Perry Lacame Ohio
8 George J. Novak 1922 1-Jan-1943 Adams PA Pittsburgh PA
9 George J. Novak 1918 14-Apr-1944 Cochran Ft George G. Meade Maryland
10 George J. Novak 1927 30-Apr-1945 Comal Philadelphia, Pa
11 Glenn J. Novak 1921 15-Aug-1942 Gillespie, KS Pueblo Colorado
12 George J. Novak 1-May-21
13 Gerard J.Novak 28-Feb-26
14 George J. Novak 1-Jan-27
15 George J. Novak 6-Apr-24
16 George J. Novak 24-Mar-21
17 Gerald J. Novak 2-Apr-48

#12-17 are from the previously listed headstones

[cgroc09]

Iceland - July 1941, USMC occupies Iceland later to be turned over to the Army until 1945.

Panama - 1939-45. I believe there were Gas Trap rifles in use in Panama.

Alaska - Aleutian Islands, June 1942 thru August 1943. The Aleutian campaign may be a bit late for your stock. Gas Traps were in use there.

[cgroc09]

32nd Infantry Div, Red Arrow Division, was made up from units from Michigan and Wisconsin National Guard. They were mobilized in 1940 and deployed to Australia and then on to New Guinea in 1942. Gas Trap and Gas Port rifles were used in the New Guinea campaign. There were Gas Trap rifles issued to the 32nd prior to them shipping out to Australia.