military marker

**bucephalus** · 09 Jun 10, 17:43

I work with a lady whose father served in the army during WW2. He died when she was six years old, so she doesn't really remember a whole lot about him. She recently came across some of his military items including the military marker that was on his grave where he is buried. The following information is inscribed on that marker:
SSgt. CN Co16 Inf 1InfDiv.
W.W.II BSM
The letters BSM might possibly be BSN, she wasn't quite sure. Does anybody know what all of this information refers to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

**1979** · 09 Jun 10, 17:56

probably he received a Bronze star.

**zraver** · 09 Jun 10, 20:43

Military Abbreviations Found on U.S. Grave Markers and Tombstones

Bronze Star Medal

**Shek** · 10 Jun 10, 03:10

Originally Posted by bucephalus

I work with a lady whose father served in the army during WW2. He died when she was six years old, so she doesn't really remember a whole lot about him. She recently came across some of his military items including the military marker that was on his grave where he is buried. The following information is inscribed on that marker:
SSgt. CN Co16 Inf 1InfDiv.
W.W.II BSM
The letters BSM might possibly be BSN, she wasn't quite sure. Does anybody know what all of this information refers to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sounds like he was in the 16th Infantry Regiment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_In...(United_States)) of the 1st Infantry Division, aka, "The Big Red One."

**sappersgt** · 10 Jun 10, 03:50

Originally Posted by bucephalus

I work with a lady whose father served in the army during WW2. He died when she was six years old, so she doesn't really remember a whole lot about him. She recently came across some of his military items including the military marker that was on his grave where he is buried. The following information is inscribed on that marker:
SSgt. CN Co16 Inf 1InfDiv.
W.W.II BSM
The letters BSM might possibly be BSN, she wasn't quite sure. Does anybody know what all of this information refers to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sounds like he was in the 16th Infantry Regiment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_In...(United_States)) of the 1st Infantry Division, aka, "The Big Red One."

Possibly the "Cannon Company", artillery attached to regimental HQ.

**Albany Rifles** · 10 Jun 10, 05:54

A Cannon Company was a 6 gun Battery assigned to the Regimental HQ which afforded the regimental commander his own indirect fire capability outside of what the Division Artillery could provide.

It was initially a mix of 105mm and 75 mm howitzers and then settles down to 6 ea 105mm light towed hoitzers or 6 M7 Priest 105mm Howitzers.

Ironically, the members were Infantrymen and not Artillerymen.

**Stan187** · 10 Jun 10, 08:29

Originally Posted by Albany Rifles

Ironically, the members were Infantrymen and not Artillerymen.

Is there any particular reason behind this anomaly?

**1979** · 10 Jun 10, 12:02

Originally Posted by Albany Rifles

or 6 M7 Priest 105mm Howitzers.

What was the rationale for organic SPA at that level ?

**zraver** · 10 Jun 10, 20:24

Originally Posted by 1979

What was the rationale for organic SPA at that level ?

It added faster response times, more guns, direct fire assault gun and anti-tank capability.

**Aryajet** · 13 Jun 10, 13:56

I hope my question is topic related, so allow me to ask.

Looking at the current US military uniforms I've always been puzzled by Stars & Stripes patches in which Stars are always on the right side (as shown in the pic.). Is there a particular reason for that?

**DPrime** · 26 Jun 10, 18:54

I believe the reason is because that is how the flag would look if carried by soldiers into battle - i.e. depicting "forward movement", always on the offensive, etc.

**bucephalus** · 04 Jul 10, 15:56

Thanks for all the info. I shared this information with my friend. She was most appreciative as it helped her understand her dad better

**Aryajet** · 04 Jul 10, 22:30

Originally Posted by DPrime

I believe the reason is because that is how the flag would look if carried by soldiers into battle - i.e. depicting "forward movement", always on the offensive, etc.

Appreciate the explanation, it makes sense, and now I know.