If you still live near where your father resided once he returned, your best bet is to check the County Records. The Army advised all veterans to have their discharge documents registered. Have you Google'd his name (with other narrowing terms like infantry, artillery, cactus,..) the fine gentlemen that runs one of the Cactus Division websites has many rosters online. Last resort would be to try to get a copy of his personnel file from the US Army. However because of a fire in 1974 many WWII era records were lost. Good Luck
Hi all...new member here. I joined up after researching the Cactus division due to a recent acquisition of mine. A dear friend's step-father who passed in 1977, was a LTC in the 103rd. She has had this treasure trove in her closet since 1968. Thought you would all like to see it. I recently found an original Cactus division pin from WW2 on ebay (pics to follow when it arrives) and am now looking for an original strap for the map bag. Photo of LTC Croll is after the war, somewhere around 1950. His step-daughter said that he was carrying this gun when he liberated the Landsberg camp (sub camp of Dachau). The 1943 Ithaca 1911A1 is in amazing shape. Probably not original finish...maybe he spruced it up stateside after the war or while overseas at the tail end...either way, it's a cherished possession of mine now. Only thing missing is a mainspring housing pin, which I'll be putting in when i get it. Hope you all enjoyed seeing this. There is some info on the LTC here. SPECIAL TROOPS BIOGRAPHIES
Great photos! thanks. I was outbid on the strap on ebay...this is the correct one if anyone knows where I can get one...
Treasure trove indeed! You got a very nice time capsule there! Dig around some more, there's no telling what you'll come up with.
Treasure trove indeed! You got a very nice time capsule there! Dig around some more, there's no telling what you'll come up with. Thanks...shot the 1911 today....gun and original mags functioned flawlessly...
