I’m a retired Air Force historian and adjunct history professor at American Public University.  I also taught at US Army Command and Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth from 2004-2009.  

I’m conducting research for an article I’m writing and also private research looking for information about my grandfather, who served in the 174 Engineering Battalion from 1943-1946 in the Pacific Theater.  I sent in a request for his service records in St Louis and of course they burned in the 1973 fire.  I know AF historians write an annual unit history (I had to retire when I thought I could not possibly write another one, lol.) but am unfamiliar with how the army records their history or where they keep them.  The Air Force keeps all unit histories at the AF Historical Research Agency at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL.

I have his medals and discharge papers, but would really like to find anything else out that I could about his unit and their activities and possibly the medal citations.  I know you don’t do this kind of personal research, but if you could point me in a direction to obtain the unit histories, orders of battle, and any other places I might look for more information of a general nature I’d be grateful.  Here is the gist of the information I have:

Charles S. Felt of Wichita, KS, inducted at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, 27 August 1943

Served as Tec 4, 174 Engineers Battalion, until 2 Jan 1946, Service number 37 540 639, Separated at Ft Logan, CO

Served in Southern Philippines and Ryukyus, He told me he spent time in Korea as well

Bronze Service Arrowhead, Pacific Theater Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal

The discharge also says “Lapel button issued ASR Score (2 Sep 45) - 62

4 months Pvt Infantry Basic Training, 6 months Pvt Rifleman, 16 months Tec 4 Automotive Mechanic Second Echelon

I have a photo of him with an infantry flag that says RTC 88A, which I assume is his basic infantry training class.  

Interestingly enough, he enlisted in 1941, but was classified as 4F due to colorblindness, then was drafted in 1943.  In the meantime, he took Sheet Metal training at Swallow Aircraft School in Wichita, KS.  I have pay stubs from Beechcraft.

Anywhere you can point me to look for more is greatly appreciated.  

Sincerely,

Deborah Kidwell, PhD, University of Kansas

987 Boynton Valley Rd

Manchester, TN 37344

913-306-4977