What M-1 Garand?

Markopolo50 · 03-05-2009, 07:29 PM

I have never had a "military" type gun but am interested in a M-1, mainly because my father carried one in WWII in the Phillippines. My father has passed away and he never talked too much with us kids about his service time. He was wounded and almost died so I am sure he had only bad memories of the war. Seven of us kids each got 3 empty cases from the 21 gun salute at his funeral and they were 30-06. Can some one tell me what to look for to find a rifle from that era? I know there were different manufacturers that made them but any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark

Dookiebutt · 03-05-2009, 07:39 PM

Any Winchester and really and Springfield under 4 mil. If you know what years he served, we can be more precise.

Interestingly, my first Garand was one I purchased for my father. He still has it, but health reasons have kept him from firing it.

Markopolo50 · 03-05-2009, 08:05 PM

Thanks Dookiebutt, I have just requested a copy of my Dad's military records and will relate the information when I find out myself for sure. My dad was born in 1922 and I think he was drafted in 1942 but am not sure. One thing I did not do was talk to my dad later in life very much. I sure wished I would have and set our differences aside. It is funny how much smarter your parents get the older you get. Thanks, Mark

SEANinMICH · 03-05-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markopolo50

I have never had a "military" type gun but am interested in a M-1, mainly because my father carried one in WWII in the Phillippines. My father has passed away and he never talked too much with us kids about his service time. He was wounded and almost died so I am sure he had only bad memories of the war. Seven of us kids each got 3 empty cases from the 21 gun salute at his funeral and they were 30-06. Can some one tell me what to look for to find a rifle from that era? I know there were different manufacturers that made them but any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark

Military funerals can sure be an impressive and emotional event. Very cool that you have the spent casings.

What your father actually had is called a 3 volley salute (it may have been a coincidence that there were 7 riflemen). Only presidents and former presidents get a 21 gun salute.

If you want to find a rifle from a more specific timeframe the info is available.

Markopolo50 · 03-05-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEANinMICH

Military funerals can sure be an impressive and emotional event. Very cool that you have the spent casings.

What your father actually had is called a 3 volley salute (it may have been a coincidence that there were 7 riflemen). Only presidents and former presidents get a 21 gun salute.

If you want to find a rifle from a more specific timeframe the info is available.

Thanks Sean for the info on the 3 volley salute. Maybe they planned it with 7 guns knowing how many kids there are. Appreciate it alot, Mark-also in Michigan

Markopolo50 · 06-05-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markopolo50

I have never had a "military" type gun but am interested in a M-1, mainly because my father carried one in WWII in the Phillippines. My father has passed away and he never talked too much with us kids about his service time. He was wounded and almost died so I am sure he had only bad memories of the war. Seven of us kids each got 3 empty cases from the 21 gun salute at his funeral and they were 30-06. Can some one tell me what to look for to find a rifle from that era? I know there were different manufacturers that made them but any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark

The reason I wanted a gun from the time my father was in the service is this; there was an article in the local paper about a guy about my age found his dad's M-1 Garand that he carried in the service. For some reason his dad had memorized the serial # and remembered it all these years. When I read that I almost cried, wishing I had learned more about my dads service time.

As suggested here I did request my dad's military records. Here is what I received.

Got a response from the National Personnel Records Center today about my inquiry for my dad's military records. The Official Military Personnel File had a fire on July12, 1973 and records for Army personnel for the period 1912 through 1959 were destroyed. So it looks like WWI and WWII veterans don't have any way to get records of their service time. I am very disappointed. I doubt but will ask my mom if dad had any records. I didn't really want to bring it up to her as she still hasn't overcome his death, as I guess we all haven't or will. Thanks for listening and if I have any more info I will post it.

Mark

SightNSqueeze · 06-05-2009, 11:11 PM

The Department of Veterans Affairs may have your father’s dates of service in their records if he ever utilized their medical, educational, or home loan services. All you would need is his Social Security number. If your father never utilized VA services, then the agency that requested his DD214 information in order to provide the funeral may have some record. In the case of my father, it was the Department of the Army who then sent a funeral detail from Fort Stewart.

If all else fails and you can't get any details of your father's movements and service, then perhaps this will help. I am guessing that if your father was in the Philippines during the liberation, which means his arrival there was any time "during or after" October 1944 when the liberation of the Philippines commenced at Leyte, southern Luzon, and northern Mindanao. The liberation was a long hard fight that lasted almost until the end of the war. Your father's awards, at minimum, would have included the following:

World War II Victory Medal
American Defense Medal
Pacific Campaign Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
Purple Heart (based on your report that he had been wounded)
Qualification Pins (Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Airborne, Signal, Transport, MPs, Medical, etc.)

There may have been other awards based on individual performance, but unless he told you about them, or you can find somebody who knew your father, you may never know. I hope this helps.

Finally, you were very fortunate to have full military honors for your father. When my father died in the summer of 2001, World War II veterans were dying at a rate of 3000+ per day and there were not enough military personnel in the country to go around. We were fortunate to get an Army chaplain/lieutenant-colonel and three enlisted personnel to render honors and presentation of the flag to my mother, but no rifle detail. Fortunately, I have three M1 Garands, and volleys were fired by veteran family members. I guess I can never sell those Garands.

texnmidwest · 06-06-2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markopolo50

......... One thing I did not do was talk to my dad later in life very much. I sure wished I would have and set our differences aside. It is funny how much smarter your parents get the older you get. Thanks, Mark

He knows how you really feel now, Mark. You can still talk to him. He will hear you.

Markopolo50 · 06-06-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SightNSqueeze

The Department of Veterans Affairs may have your father’s dates of service in their records if he ever utilized their medical, educational, or home loan services. All you would need is his Social Security number. If your father never utilized VA services, then the agency that requested his DD214 information in order to provide the funeral may have some record. In the case of my father, it was the Department of the Army who then sent a funeral detail from Fort Stewart.

If all else fails and you can't get any details of your father's movements and service, then perhaps this will help. I am guessing that if your father was in the Philippines during the liberation, which means his arrival there was any time "during or after" October 1944 when the liberation of the Philippines commenced at Leyte, southern Luzon, and northern Mindanao. The liberation was a long hard fight that lasted almost until the end of the war. Your father's awards, at minimum, would have included the following:

World War II Victory Medal
American Defense Medal
Pacific Campaign Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
Purple Heart (based on your report that he had been wounded)
Qualification Pins (Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Airborne, Signal, Transport, MPs, Medical, etc.)

There may have been other awards based on individual performance, but unless he told you about them, or you can find somebody who knew your father, you may never know. I hope this helps.

Finally, you were very fortunate to have full military honors for your father. When my father died in the summer of 2001, World War II veterans were dying at a rate of 3000+ per day and there were not enough military personnel in the country to go around. We were fortunate to get an Army chaplain/lieutenant-colonel and three enlisted personnel to render honors and presentation of the flag to my mother, but no rifle detail. Fortunately, I have three M1 Garands, and volleys were fired by veteran family members. I guess I can never sell those Garands.

S&S, thanks for the information. I am glad you were able to get the M1 Garands out for the funeral. It sure meant alot to me. My dad was wounded, bad, in the Phillipines. He spent alot of time in the hospital over there and more back home in Michigan. He did receive the Purple Heart, not sure about the others, and being the oldest son I may get it for a keepsake. My mother hasn't mentioned it lately so we will wait for her. Thanks again, Mark

Markopolo50 · 06-06-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texnmidwest

He knows how you really feel now, Mark. You can still talk to him. He will hear you.

I believe he can hear me but it saddens me that we didn't get along better. We didn't have a good relationship until it was too late. Thanks for the good thoughts and concerns. Mark

rondog · 06-06-2009, 11:17 PM

Nobody's mentioned this yet, but this is likely the best source for M1's CMP Home . They've been swamped with orders, so shipping is taking months. But you're close enough to drive to the North store in Ohio, you could take a rifle and ammo home that day. Check it out and call them.

Markopolo50 · 06-07-2009, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rondog

Nobody's mentioned this yet, but this is likely the best source for M1's CMP Home . They've been swamped with orders, so shipping is taking months. But you're close enough to drive to the North store in Ohio, you could take a rifle and ammo home that day. Check it out and call them.

Rondog, thanks for mentioning CMP, it is close and we go to Ohio often as the grandkids are in Springboro. CMP is on my list to stop and shop soon. Thanks again, Mark

TheJoker · 06-07-2009, 07:54 AM

Also....if you know your father's unit, there is a Library/Museum on the 4th floor of the American Legion National HQ in Indianapolis that has maps and written documentation of where most units fought on an almost daily basis.

I researched my grandfather's unit's(125th infantry) movement through the Argon in WWI and was amazed at the detailed info in the Legion's archive. I'm sure they have equal detail for WWII.

rondog · 06-07-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markopolo50

Rondog, thanks for mentioning CMP, it is close and we go to Ohio often as the grandkids are in Springboro. CMP is on my list to stop and shop soon. Thanks again, Mark

It's close? Awww, you suck! You're gonna have all kinds of new toys, while I wait for my ammo a couple more months! Probably a good thing I'm not close. Call them first so you know exactly what you need for paperwork, so you don't hit a blockade. That would suck, to be right at the counter and be missing one item.

Markopolo50 · 06-07-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJoker

Also....if you know your father's unit, there is a Library/Museum on the 4th floor of the American Legion National HQ in Indianapolis that has maps and written documentation of where most units fought on an almost daily basis.

I researched my grandfather's unit's(125th infantry) movement through the Argon in WWI and was amazed at the detailed info in the Legion's archive. I'm sure they have equal detail for WWII.

Joker, I don't know my dad's unit yet but am not done searching. It must have been awsome to see where your grandfather fought. I can make a trip to Indy, thanks for the info. Mark

Markopolo50 · 06-07-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rondog

It's close? Awww, you suck! You're gonna have all kinds of new toys, while I wait for my ammo a couple more months! Probably a good thing I'm not close. Call them first so you know exactly what you need for paperwork, so you don't hit a blockade. That would suck, to be right at the counter and be missing one item.

Rondog, is the paperwork requirements on the web site correct? I can certainly call them. The gun club I am a member of isn't on their list so will have to join another. Other than that I believe I have it covered. Thanks for the heads up and I AM lucky to be close to CMP. Thanks, Mark

rondog · 06-07-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markopolo50

Rondog, is the paperwork requirements on the web site correct? I can certainly call them. The gun club I am a member of isn't on their list so will have to join another. Other than that I believe I have it covered. Thanks for the heads up and I AM lucky to be close to CMP. Thanks, Mark

Correct info, just confusing. There's lot of ways to qualify as a club member, my gun club is on the list, but so is a forum I hang out at just like this one. Colorado AR-15 Shooters Club Discussion Forums - Powered by vBulletin Join up there as a forum member and you're good to go.

Markopolo50 · 06-08-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rondog

Correct info, just confusing. There's lot of ways to qualify as a club member, my gun club is on the list, but so is a forum I hang out at just like this one. Colorado AR-15 Shooters Club Discussion Forums - Powered by vBulletin Join up there as a forum member and you're good to go.

Thanks rondog, I did just join the Colorado AR-15 Shooters Club and that does qualify for one of the CMP requirements. I put your name down as a referral, thanks. Mark

Markopolo50 · 11-07-2009, 08:24 PM

After some probing about my Dads military records my sister came up with three articles about his injury and entry into the service. He joined(drafted?) on December 17, 1942. He was born in Jan, 1922 so he was almost 21. The article stated he went to "Hawaii in August, 1943 and from there went to New Guinea and the Indies". It also says he was wounded on Jan 1, which I assume to be 1944. From there he went to a New Guinea hospital and then back to the US.

So I would guess his active time would be from Dec 17, 1942 to Jan 1, 1944. Can anyone tell me the serial numbers of a M-1 Garand that might be from that era??? Thanks alot, Mark

big boomer · 11-07-2009, 09:42 PM

serial numbers for the end of nov 1942 was 1008899 end of Dec.that year was 1090310 and the end of war 1945 Oct. was 3888081. If you want the exact date numbers i hope this helps but I would think any m-1 should be a good representative of the species. My own personal one was made in 1943.

03-05-2009, 07:29 PM	#1
Markopolo50 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fenton, Michigan Posts: 80	What M-1 Garand? I have never had a "military" type gun but am interested in a M-1, mainly because my father carried one in WWII in the Phillippines. My father has passed away and he never talked too much with us kids about his service time. He was wounded and almost died so I am sure he had only bad memories of the war. Seven of us kids each got 3 empty cases from the 21 gun salute at his funeral and they were 30-06. Can some one tell me what to look for to find a rifle from that era? I know there were different manufacturers that made them but any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark

03-05-2009, 07:39 PM	#2
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 2,214	Any Winchester and really and Springfield under 4 mil. If you know what years he served, we can be more precise. Interestingly, my first Garand was one I purchased for my father. He still has it, but health reasons have kept him from firing it. __________________ The nerds will never understand the awesomeness of it.

06-05-2009, 11:11 PM	#7
SightNSqueeze Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Intercoastal Sea Islands, SC, USA Posts: 3,204	The Department of Veterans Affairs may have your father’s dates of service in their records if he ever utilized their medical, educational, or home loan services. All you would need is his Social Security number. If your father never utilized VA services, then the agency that requested his DD214 information in order to provide the funeral may have some record. In the case of my father, it was the Department of the Army who then sent a funeral detail from Fort Stewart. If all else fails and you can't get any details of your father's movements and service, then perhaps this will help. I am guessing that if your father was in the Philippines during the liberation, which means his arrival there was any time "during or after" October 1944 when the liberation of the Philippines commenced at Leyte, southern Luzon, and northern Mindanao. The liberation was a long hard fight that lasted almost until the end of the war. Your father's awards, at minimum, would have included the following: World War II Victory Medal American Defense Medal Pacific Campaign Medal Philippine Liberation Medal Purple Heart (based on your report that he had been wounded) Qualification Pins (Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Airborne, Signal, Transport, MPs, Medical, etc.) There may have been other awards based on individual performance, but unless he told you about them, or you can find somebody who knew your father, you may never know. I hope this helps. Finally, you were very fortunate to have full military honors for your father. When my father died in the summer of 2001, World War II veterans were dying at a rate of 3000+ per day and there were not enough military personnel in the country to go around. We were fortunate to get an Army chaplain/lieutenant-colonel and three enlisted personnel to render honors and presentation of the flag to my mother, but no rifle detail. Fortunately, I have three M1 Garands, and volleys were fired by veteran family members. I guess I can never sell those Garands. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Was "Your" Voice Heard Today? NRA-ILA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

06-06-2009, 11:17 PM	#11
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 3,688	Nobody's mentioned this yet, but this is likely the best source for M1's CMP Home . They've been swamped with orders, so shipping is taking months. But you're close enough to drive to the North store in Ohio, you could take a rifle and ammo home that day. Check it out and call them. __________________ I child-proofed my house, but they still keep getting in!

06-07-2009, 07:54 AM	#13
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,118	Also....if you know your father's unit, there is a Library/Museum on the 4th floor of the American Legion National HQ in Indianapolis that has maps and written documentation of where most units fought on an almost daily basis. I researched my grandfather's unit's(125th infantry) movement through the Argon in WWI and was amazed at the detailed info in the Legion's archive. I'm sure they have equal detail for WWII. __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." -- Lazarus Long

03-05-2009, 08:05 PM	#3
Markopolo50 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fenton, Michigan Posts: 80	Thanks Dookiebutt, I have just requested a copy of my Dad's military records and will relate the information when I find out myself for sure. My dad was born in 1922 and I think he was drafted in 1942 but am not sure. One thing I did not do was talk to my dad later in life very much. I sure wished I would have and set our differences aside. It is funny how much smarter your parents get the older you get. Thanks, Mark

11-07-2009, 08:24 PM	#19
Markopolo50 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fenton, Michigan Posts: 80	What years for the M-1? After some probing about my Dads military records my sister came up with three articles about his injury and entry into the service. He joined(drafted?) on December 17, 1942. He was born in Jan, 1922 so he was almost 21. The article stated he went to "Hawaii in August, 1943 and from there went to New Guinea and the Indies". It also says he was wounded on Jan 1, which I assume to be 1944. From there he went to a New Guinea hospital and then back to the US. So I would guess his active time would be from Dec 17, 1942 to Jan 1, 1944. Can anyone tell me the serial numbers of a M-1 Garand that might be from that era??? Thanks alot, Mark

11-07-2009, 09:42 PM	#20
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 2,623	serial numbers for the end of nov 1942 was 1008899 end of Dec.that year was 1090310 and the end of war 1945 Oct. was 3888081. If you want the exact date numbers i hope this helps but I would think any m-1 should be a good representative of the species. My own personal one was made in 1943.
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