Yes, according the the serial number, he was a commissioned officer.

Right now after a brief search, I've come up with this, but cannot find a match to the serial number. Mind you, I just began, but have dinner going, so let me do a more thorough search tomorrow.

This could be him?!

Major Charles U. Culmer, Base Surgeon, U.S. Medical Corps. Born July 3, 1911. Died April 19, 1993.

http://ead.dartmouth.edu/html/stem253_fullguide.html

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-04-23/news/9304240025_1_condell-medical-center-libertyville-lake-county-medical-society

Thanks M1, i was just about to post the same info. That was all i could find on him too.

Me thinks we`ll have to nickname Enrico`s gang as the "Dump Digger Battalion"

I like it, I like it, Larry!

This story also has an interesting twist...

It appears his wife was the president of the Girl Scouts!

Marjorie Mehne Culmer (1958–1963) (Mrs. Charles U. Culmer) (later chair of WAGGGS, died in 1994)

http://www.newspaperarchive.com/SiteMap/FreePdfPreview.aspx?img=102707152

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19610405&id=BPQZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UCMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5352,4712305

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19631021&id=4vYjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CQUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3232,4725851

This info found on Ancestry.com

Charles U. Culmer

SSN: 359-36-4401

Last Residence: 60048 Libertyville, Lake, Illinois, United States of America

Born: 3 Jul 1911

Died: 19 Apr 1993

State (Year) SSN issued: Illinois (1961-1962)

Charles U Culmer

Arrival Date: 13 Sep 1934

Birth Year: 1911

Birth Location: Minnesota

Birth Location Other: Duluth

Age: 23

Gender: Male

Port of Departure: Oslo, Norway

Port of Arrival: New York, New York

Ship Name: Bergensfjord

Search Ship Database: Search the Bergensfjord in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database

Dr Charles U Culmer

Birth Date: 3 Jul 1911

Address: 1217 Jackson St, Hobart, IN, 46342-3343

[900 Lake St # 548, Libertyville, IL, 60048-1802 (1977)]

[POB, Libertyville, IL, 60048 (1975)]

I left a message with a family member and instructed them to get in contact with me. When they do, I will have them contact you, Enrico.

To Larry, it's a nice nickname although I'm not going to dig for a while longer. This is my friend who very often recover dog tags ...

To M1, thanks for the help, when I have a little time I control everything.

As always, thanks!

As always, Larry and I are here at your beckoning call! :waving:

I hope the relative will get in touch with me soon!!!

Wow all very interesting! I can not understand, though, as he could be near Pietramala during wwII, and write reports from Arctic bases... I had found this information on him and on his wife, but I had discarded it because it seemed impossible to me he could be in Italy and in the Arctic at the same time

No news from relatives?

Yes, I thought that odd too, but maybe we can solve the mystery and inconsistencies when we are contacted by one of his relatives.

No sorry, no answer yet. Maybe I will try another relative, since this one is a no-show so far.

Just sent another letter to yet another family member. Let's wait and see...

The Guide to the Papers of Charles Culmer, 1941 - 1944 does offer some clues if you read it carefully.

1. In the Introduction to the Collection:

"Of note is a history of the base begun by Culmer and carried on by subsequent officers.", which suggests he left the base at some point.

2. In the list of reports & manuscripts all have an end date of 1943.

3. The only thing with a date of 1944 is listed in:

Series 3, Personal Correspondence, 1944

"Personal Correspondence includes a Christmas card sent to Maj. Culmer in Minnesota from Maj. Hassell in Presque Island (mentioned in the Post-diary Report as the pilot who brought supplies and mail to the base)"

The christmas card was sent to his home in Minnestota so he must have left the base before December 1944.

The 15th Evac Hospital wasnt inactivated in Italy until 8 Sept 1945, plenty of time for him to be sent to Italy.

Found a book on Amazon.com, might have some info of use.

A surgeon's diary: 15th Evacuation Hospital : experiences in World War II, North Africa -- Sicily -- Italy by Frank W Peyton (1987

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1/189-9228790-2454647/189-9228790-2454647?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=Frank%20W%20Peyton

Very interesting, at Pietramala was present the 8th evac which was the largest in Italy during WWII. Definitely he will have served in that hospital, as well as in the 15th.

hmmm, why was i thinkin 15th evac? Anyway, even the 8th Evac was inactivated on 30 Sept 1945.

Hey Enrico, do you still have those dog tags. I just renewed my subscription to Ancestry.com and found that old letter I sent to the distant family member. Let me know. Thanks!