WWII VETS - were you ever re-issued dog-tags???
Were were discussing an item of interest in another post, and the question came up about dog-tags. Can you answer this? Were you ever RE-ISSUED dog-tags, and if yes, what were the circumstances?
Thanks for your help.
I sent a note to all the WWII vets on my email list. Let's see what the results are...
The answer is yes mam. I was reissued dog tags when they changed the system . My original tags listed name and serial number, blood type and a P for protestant religious preferemce. This was changed when I was commissioned and got new tags with the changed serial number. Later the tag was changed again, the religious preference P was replaced with Methodist to reflect my wishes.
Best wishes to you and yours, Russ Weiskircher, Cleveland, GA.
Marion..I was issued a second set..but can't remember "Why" but did notice that my blood type was changed from "O" on the first set to "A" on the second set ?? Bill Pace, T-4
Another possible circumstance would be for a wounded man to be reinocculated for tetnus thus the need for a new ID tag with the new inoculation date. I`ve been looking through the Medical Corps websites but havent found any mention of new dogtags being reissued, but there is a related story posted here:
Thanks Larry. That was a very heartwarming story. Fit's perfectly with our topic!!!!
Here's another answer from a WWII veteran:
Marion,
No.
Jim – Maui
Hi Marion,
Still have mine and my Dad’s too!
Aloha,
Jim
NOPE!! Still Got Them
SgtLeo
I am sure they reissued dog tags. I never lost mine.
clancy lyall e co 506 pir ww2
Classification: UNCLASSIFIEDCaveats: NONE
Bearing in mind I am speaking off the top of my head (meaning I have not done
any actual research!) I have never run across any examples of replacement dog
tags being issued. In my previous job working with POW history, I did run
across instances where men captured in the battle of the bulge still had the
old style tags with name and address of next of kin, despite the official
changes, but more importantly to some of them, the notation of their
religion. It was supposed to be optional to have your religion put on your
dog tags, but it was routinely done either without consulting the soldier or
ignoring their preference if asked.
Might the Quartermaster folks be a possibility to ask about the history of
dog tags?
-Eric
Eric Reinert
Curator
Office of History
HQUSACE
Classification: UNCLASSIFIEDCaveats: NONE
Marion,
Eric's suggestion about contacting the Quartermaster historian is, I believe,
a good one. According to the most recent (2010) Army historical directory,
however, that position is (or was) vacant. The directory does list a phone
number (at Fort Lee, Virginia) for it: (804) 734-3700. Kathleen M. Fargey is
the QM specialist at the Center of Military History:
(email removed for privacy) In any case, good luck.
Michael