Technician 5th Class
In a comment on my LJ feed, someone was asking what my grandfather’s specialty was. He was a Technician 5th Class, with a specialty listed as "Truck Driver (Heavy) (245)." He did that for 55 months of his service; prior to that, he’s listed as having 2 months as a Private doing "Basic Tng Ord. (521)." I’m not clear if that’s just standard basic training or what; I assume the "Ord." refers to Ordnance.
Here’s the description of his "Truck Driver, Heavy" work listed on his discharge paper:
Was a truck driver for the 359th Ordnance Company overseas. Hauled ammunition, supplies, equipment, and military personnel. Drove in all kinds of weather over all kinds of terrain. Drove at night and in blackout areas. Made minor repairs on the truck to keep it in good condition at all times.
He was discharged on Dec. 14, 1945
On the back of the form, he has a civilian occupation listed: "Plumbers Helper (7-32.812)":
Worked on steam and water pipes. Reamed, cut, bent, and threaded pipe. Cut and drilled holes in walls and floors for pipes to be fitted in. Heater lead to make the connections in the plumbing tight. Used hand and machine tools. Worked for Robert Burwick, Trenton, New Jersey for 18 months.
I wonder if there’s any way to research what sort of specific activities my grandfather was involved in during the war–places he was deployed to, actions he was engaged in, etc. He told me once he was at Guadalcanal, but I don’t know any more than that, other than he said the Army sent him "all over."
