Co M, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd ID, Silver Star recipient.

[aussie digger]

Hi All,

When I was 17-18 I did a bit of trekking in Papua New Guinea seeing allot of the battle fields and trekking the length of the Kokoda track. Ever since then I have always had an interest in militaria relating to the campaign in New Guinea. I have found a few Australian pieces from the campaign however have always had a hard time finding US stuff from these early battles of the pacific war.

The group consists of the 4 pocket, pants and 2 shirts of Hugo A*R*M*B*R*E*C*H*T of Colo Iowa. He entered active service January 1942 and shipped to Australia and the war in the pacific in April of 1942. On 1st of January 1943 he was serving with Co M, 127th Infantry, 32nd ID when he was awarded a silver star for actions outside of Buna, New Guinea. I need to try do some more research but it sounds like he was a sniper. July 44 he returned to the states with Dengue fever. He hen served with Co D 17th Infantry Training Battalion.

Posting this again here after getting 5 views in the named section.

Thanks
Jason

[ScottG]

  That's a beauty Jason! Believe it or not,  I don't have a copy of the 32nd General Orders, but member Bheskett does. Maybe he can get you more info. I do know that the 127th was brought in late to Buna and didn't make the Kappa-Kappa trek.    Scott

[aussie digger]

Thanks Scott. I may have to try contact him about the general orders. The info I have came from the 32nd IDs website list of silver star recipients but even that site is missing allot of info on him. I was only able to find his company and regiment by getting his post war Iowa bonus form. From what I have read the 127th entered the battle later on and it sounds like he may have received the silver star for his actions in the first few days of the 127ths part in the battle.

[Rakkasan187]

Jason,

This is a nice looking 4 pocket uniform. It is more common to see the 4 pocket uniforms from Pacific vets, versus the Ike jacket from the ETO.. This is a very nice looking one..

Smitty

[aussie digger]

Thank you Smitty. I have noticed that the vast majority of PTO uniforms are 4 pocket, actually I think the only PTO Ike's I have in the collection are AAF and for ETO most of the 4 pocket enlisted are either from guys WIA and sent home early or AAF guys that rotated home early.

Jason

[Tom E. Gunn]

Nice one! You've hit the ground running!