World War II Treasures Await Your Family

A small, non-descript package greeted me last week when I opened my mail box. Partially hidden among bulging weekly ads and other junk mail, its contents were a mystery. Was it an unsolicited medical device typically marketed to seniors over the phone or a late birthday present from a friend? I knew I had not ordered such an item, and it was much too late to be a birthday gift. So I was curious about what was inside the small, padded brown envelope with a return address of TACOM, PO Box 57997, Philadelphia, PA, as the only clue.

As I quickly I opened the package, several small rectangular blue boxes tumbled out along with what appeared to be a button encased in a plastic holder. Fluttering from my hand was also a small piece of paper telling me about these unidentified contents. “Your awards have been shipped from TACOM for Roland E. Jett.”

Suddenly I remembered what these were and the mystery was solved. These were my father’s World War II replacement medals ordered in February from the National Personnel Records Center. My father’s discharge papers had indicated that he had received six decorations and citations: Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal & Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, and an Honorable Service Lapel Button. But I had no idea what these looked like as I only had a few remnants of the original ones. In fact, I did not realize that each decoration had two parts: a colorful bar strip and a matching two inch ribbon with an attached inscribed, bronze medallion. While each pendant was adorned with words and images representing their importance, I knew they embodied untold sacrifices and grueling hard work.

My hands were shaking with anticipation and pride as I took each medal from the box. My father had not enlisted to become a decorated war hero; instead, he was just doing his part to ensure our country’s freedom and a future for his wife and family. Yet, each medal I held exemplified his vital work repairing army vehicles in the primitive conditions of the New Guinea jungles. What struck me as I examined each medal and read the inscriptions was the contrast between the bright yellow, red, and blue ribbon colors and the dark times my father and his fellow soldiers had endured to earn these citations.

I am not sure when these medals were presented to my father but I doubt if he wore them in the jungle. He did mention in one of his early letters from New Guinea that he had recently received a Good Conduct Medal and was proud of this recognition. He had been so focused on doing his job, that he was surprised that he had been doing anything outstanding. His comment was, “I guess I have been a good soldier after all.” Efficiency, Honor and Fidelity are the words emblazoned on the front of this medal and his name is inscribed on the back along with a star and the words FOR GOOD CONDUCT.

I am so grateful to have these medals that characterized my father’s World War II service. To ensure that future generations of my family will know about his story, I am creating a patriotic shadow box with these medals, his dog tags, a photo and the flag that draped his coffin when he died in 1968. I especially want my son who is named after him and my grandsons to know about their grandfather and great-grandfather, technical sergeant Roland Edward Jett who helped win the war in the Pacific. I urge you to do the same for your family. Find ways to remember and honor your World War II era relatives. We must never forget their patriotism and sacrifices.

I am indebted to Nathan Weinbaum, Director of the Department of Veteran Services in my home town, Maryville, Tennessee, who helped me get these replacement medals. He contacted the National Personnel Records Center at 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138-1002, but anyone can visit their website to learn more about the process. www.archives.gov Again, I encourage you to explore, discover and preserve your family’s World War II contributions and history.