USAAF 1535th Ordnance S&M
Company (Avn) History
Dec 1943-Nov 1944
DECEMBER, 1943
On the 10th, Lt. O'Brien was promoted to the grade of 1st Lt.
On the same day, the organization was relieved from attached to the
43rd Service Squadron and attached to the 22nd Service Group. Seven
men went on DS to Melbourne, Vic. for purpose of driving back new trucks.
On the 23rd, four casuals were assigned to the company. An average of
6 men per month were being sent to Sydney, NSW on 7-day furloughs.
JANUARY, 1944
On the 10th, the organization was relieved from attached to the
22nd Service Group and attached to the 43rd Service Squadron due to the
disbandment of the Group. 1st Lt. Jordan was assigned to the organization
on the 11th and assumed command of the company the next day when Capt.
Hauck was transferred to the 1820th Ord S&M Co. Lt. Olk & one EM were
trfd to Hq & Hq Sqdn., 8th Service Group on the 21st. 4 men were trfd into
the organization from Hq & Hq Sqdn, 22nd Service Group.
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FEBRUARY, 1944
On the 7th, Lt. O'Boyle was assigned to the organization from the
91st Repl. Bn. Six men were placed on TD with Hq & Hq Sqdn, 5th Air Force.
Four enlisted men from the organization were transferred to the
Rotation Detach., 5th Repl. Depot, APO 711, for the purpose of returning
to the United States in accordance with the Rotation Plan adopted by the
War Department. The organization completed 2 years service in Australia
on the 24th of this month, 19 months of which were spent in a forward area,
thus making the majority of the men eligible to return to the United States.
During the past 5 months, the morale of this organization has never been
higher for two reasons; first, the transfer from a forward area to civiliza-
tion and second, the knowledge of returning to the states.
JOHN F. SULLIVAN
1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Unit Historical Officer.
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR MONTH OF MARCH, 1944
T/4 Lynch appointed 1st Sergeant (Temp) on the 1st. 1st Lt. Jordan
appointed Captain (Temp) as of 26 February, 1944. On the 13th, 4 Officers
and 67 Enlisted Men of this organization were transferred from Amberley
Field, Qld., Australia to Archer Field, Qld. per Verbal Orders, Commanding
General, 5th Air Force Service Command. Two enlisted men were transferred
into the company, five were admitted to hospitals, and one was confined
at the Amberley Field Guardhouse, charged with theft. On the 25th, orders
were received relieving this organization from attachment to the 43rd Service
Squadron, and assigning it to Archer Field, per Sect. 1, General Order No.
19, Hq., 5th Air Force Service Command, dated 14 March, 1944. During this
period, the morale of the men declined somewhat due to the transfer, since
the food and living conditions were somewhat inferior to those at former
station.
JOHN F. SULLIVAN
1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Unit Historical Officer.
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO. (AVN) FOR MONTH OF APRIL, 1944:
The strength of the organization of 1 April, 1944, was 4 Officers &
68 enlisted man. Six (6) men were placed on DS with the National Nail
Factory, Brisbane, Qld., to help with the production of bomb adapters for
the Fifth Air Force Service Command. These men were recalled after working
there for 10 weeks since 9 men were transferred to the Rotation Detachment
and the organization was under strength.
On the 16th of April, 2nd Lt. Robert Schechter, O-866103, joined the
organization from the 265th Repl. Co., 91st Repl. Bn (AAF), APO 923, and
assumed the duties of Unit Censor and Intelligence Officer.
The Commanding Officer received authorization to use part of a
building on the post for a recreation room. The men worked during their
off hours and in approx. two weeks time the club was ready for use. A
supply of beer and spirits was obtained and the club is now open every
other evening. It is hoped that a photograph of this club will be available
to submit with the next installment of the unit's history.
This organization received 40 sedans of various makes and models to
rebuild and place into service. Of this number it was estimated that less
than half are considered practical to rebuild. This work is in addition
to the regular maintenance of vehicles of other organizations and during
the month of April, 48 job orders were completed.
During this period, the armament section worked in conjunction with
the armament section of Hq. & Hq. Sqdn., 5th Air Force, in preparing for
combat use the already installed guns of 15 P-38's. This work was finished
ahead of schedule and work was then started on A-20's. Three other men
worked in conjunction with Hq. & Hq. Sqdn. in removing the weather compound
that the P-38's arrived in.
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In January of 1944, this organization conducted an Ordnance school
for newly arrived personnel in this theatre. A letter of Commendation
(see Icnl. # 1) has been received from the Ordnance Officer of the
Fifth Air Force Service Command through the Ordnance Officer, 22nd
Service Group, this organization's higher headquarters. (This item
has not been reported in the January installment)
Twelve (12) enlisted men who were formerly members of an organ-
ization that received the Citation for the Papuan Campaign were
authorized to the wear the Citation Device pp 1, General Orders # 1,
this Hq., dated 28 April, 1944.
Special tools for the 75MM Gun, T13E1, have been made in the
machineshop for the Fifth Air Force Service Command in accordance with the
specifications submitted by that headquarters. Several sets of these
tools were completed and submitted while others are still in production.
Two enlisted men, Cpl. Orlando Napoleon and Pvt. Martin Kirschenbaum,
has been transferred into the company so the strength of the organization
at the end of April was 5 Officers and 70 Enlisted Men.
ROBERT B. O'BRIEN
1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Unit Historical Officer.
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HEADQUARTERS
FIFTH AIR FORCE SERVICES COMMAND
APO 925
ORD 201.22 27 Janaury, 1944
SUBJECT: Commendation
TO : Ordnance Officer, 22nd Service Group, APO 923
1. It is felt that your action in initiating and carrying through
the Ordnance school for recently arrived Ordnance Supply & Maintenance
organizations is worthy of commendation.
2. It is desired that all personnel associated with this school be
apprised of the pleasure and gratification of the undersigned that through
their special abilities and efforts the school could be instituted and main-
tained to its conclusion.
3. It is regretted that circumstances prevented all recently arrived
units from taking the course.
/s/ EDMUND W. MILES,
EDMUND W. MILES,
Lt. Col., Ord. Dept.,
Ordnance Officer.
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORD. S&M CO. (AVN) FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 1944:
Plans are being formulated by the governing body of the Company's
Club for a party to be held sometimes in June. Beer was sold in the
evenings but the spirits were being stocked and saved. A fair amount
of Coco-Cola was obtained and was sold to the men in the daytime.
Two more sedans from the New Guinea Staff Car Project were completed.
These had to be completely overhauled and finally painted. The Maintenance
Section completed 30 Job Orders during this period.
In addition to their other duties, the armament section conducted
an Instructional course for new armors.
1st Lt. John P. Sullivan, O-1574350, was relieved from assignment
to this company and transferred to the IV Air Service Area Command at
APO 713, Unitl. 1st Lt. Robert B. O'Brien took over Lt. Sullivan's
duties of Maintenance Officer and the Unit's Historical Officer.
The Good Conduct Medal was awarded to 33 members of this organization
pp. 1., General Order No. 2, this HQ., 20 May, 1944. Three more members
received the same award two days later on General Order No. 2.
A majority of the personnel of this organization are authorized
to wear bronze stars on the Asiatic Pacific Campaign ribbon for the
East Indies, Papuan and New Guinea Campaigns therefore a supply of
these stars was obtained and issued accordingly.
ROBERT B. O'BRIEN
1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Unit Historical Officer.
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR MONTH OF JUNE, 1944:
On the evening of June 6 th, four members of this company,
T/4 Gortat, Cpl. Demersky, T/5 Bender and Pvt. Cohen, were returning
from Toowoomba. On the highway near Gatton, their vehicle was
involved in a collision with a 2.5-ton truck driven by an Allied Service-
man, whereas, T/5 Albert J. Bender was injured and admitted to the 105th
General Hospital located in Gatton.
On the 8th, S/Sgt Enoch was promoted to 1st Sgt., T/4 Devorchik
to T/Sgt; T/4 Cushman to T/3. Pfc. Jackson & Pvt Dyer to T/5's. Four
days later, Sgt. Bonislawski & T/4 Amaral were promoted to S/Sgt's;
T/5 Clark to Sgt; T/5 Draughn to T/4; Pfc's Donnell & Duralja to T/4's;
and Pvts. Cohen & Stearns to Pfc's.
2nd Lt., Robert Schechter, O-866103, was relieved from assignment
and transferred to the 265th Repl. Co., 91st Repl. Hq., APO 923.
On the evening of the 15th, a Company Party was held at Gailes
Country Club, located approximately 12 miles south of Archer Field on
the Ipswich Road. Drinks and refreshments were served and the music
was provided by an orchestra from Ipswich. Several Ordnance Officers
from the Far East Air Service Command Headquarters, and their lady-
friends, attended as guests. The party, the first of its kind to be
held by this unit, was a tremendous success. Due to the enthusiasm
expressed by each member of this organization, plans were being formulated
to hold another party of its type sometimes in July.
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During this period, the Armament Section had been inspecting
small arms weapons of all units serviced by this organization. Class-
es for new armorers were also conducted.
The following special projects have been completed by this
organization in the past month:
Over 60,000 feet of wire has been salvaged from condemned
aircraft for automotive repair.
Nine AC spark plug cleaners and sand for cleaners has been
salvaged, repaired, painted and are ready for reissue to
Ordnance units.
Five complete sets of tools for the 75 mm Cannon, T13E1.
The Automobile Section completed 48 Job Orders.
ROBERT B. O'BRIEN,
1st. Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Unit Historical Officer.
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR MONTH OF JULY, 1944:
On the 10th of July, 10 enlisted men were transferred into this
unit from the 265th Replacement Company. They were all basic privates
and the strength of this organization was increased to 57 enlisted
men. They were interviewed by the Commanding Officer and then
placed in different sections for training.
Sgt. John M. Gartland departed on the 13th for the purpose of
returning to the United States on a 30-day furlough.
Seventeen men received promotions on the 14th. The morale of
these men increased considerably since many of them held one rank
for a long period of time.
Another company party was held at Gailes Country Club. Music
was furnished by a civilian band; refreshments and drinks were served
from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM. An invitation was extended to the WAAFs
stationed at Amberley Field and a large number of themx attended as
guests.
On the 20th of July, this organization, consisting of 57 EM
and 3 Officers, transferred from Archerfield to Eagle Farm. It
took 2 days to accomplish this move. A camp area was immediately
set up while the automotive section continued to haul the New Guinea
Project staff cars to this station. The men are quartered in tents
and eat in the consolidated mess-hall with the 11th Service Squadron.
Photographs that were taken of this unit while still at Archer
field were received and distributed to the men. A company picture
is enclosed herewith.
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On the 23rd, 1st Lt. George A. Rausch, O-1551088, was
assigned to this organization. Pfc. robert A. Yoos was transferred
to this unit from the 265th Replacement Company on the 29th and
was assigned to the welding shop.
During this period, the automotive section completed 41 job
orders.
The armgment section completed its inspection of all small
arms of all units serviced by this organization.
The machinists completed 25 more special tools for the 75
mm. aircraft cannon, T13E1.
ROBERT B. O'BRIEN,
1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Unit Historical Officer.
1 Incl:-
Photograph
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1535th Ordnance S&M Co (Avn)
First Row - Left to Right Second Row - Left to Right Third Row - Left to Right
T4 Gortat 1st Lt. O'Brien T/Sgt Smith
Cpl Napoleon 1st Sgt Enoch T/4 Cook
T/Sgt Johnson Pfc McCarthy T/4 McLemore
T/5 Dyer T/4 Bolser S/Sgt Bonislwaski
T/4 Tarquinio T/5 Hayes Sgt Gartland
T/4 Brezina T/4 Mitchell T/5 Burmeister
Cpl Slagle T/4 Martel T/4 Ashley
T/4 Liberatore T/5 Cohen T/5 Duralja
T/5 Carr T/5 Gault T/5 Porto
Capt. Jordan T/Sgt Devorchik T/5 Bullock
S/Sgt Amaral T/5 Jackson Cpl Barber
Sgt Gruiff T/5 White M/Sgt Kendrick
T/4 McKenzie T/5 Grose T/4 Huffman
Pfc Hodson T/4 Warren Cpl Demersky
S/Sgt Landsberg T/5 Bradford Sgt Zabriskie
T/4 Draughn Sgt Mosier T/5 Borgh
T/5 Farmer Sgt Clark T/5 Brown
S/Sgt Donnell T/3 Cushman
T/5 Schoulties T/4 Stearns
2nd Lt. Olk
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORD S&M CO (AVN) FOR MONTH OF AUGUST, 1944:
The strength of this organization on the 1st of August was
4 Officers and 59 Enlisted Men.
T/Sgt Clarence L. Smith departed this month for the United States
on a 30-day furlough.
VOCG relieving this unit from assignment to Hq., Far East Air
Service Command and attaching it to the 11th Service Squadron were
confirmed by Section I, General Orders No. 10, Hq., Far East Air
Service Command dated 23 July, 1944.
S/Sgt Albert J. Bonislawksi was promoted to T/Sgt (Temp) on the
14th.
Six enlisted men of the 194th Ordnance Depot Co., APO 922 were
placed on DS with this organization as of the 16th.
On the 26th, S/Sgt Richard A. Graf and Tec 5 Howard W. White were
transferred to Rotation Detachment, 17th Rpl. Bn. APO 923.
10 enlisted men were transferred to this unit from Shipment AB-
003-A-(A)(b), APO 322, Unit 1. Upon their arrival, all men were
interviewed by the Commanding Officer and placed in different sections
for training.
Corp. Gerald Weaver, who was on DS with Hq. Sqdn., Far East Air
Service Command, was transferred to that organization on the 30th.
Major Robert E. Hunt, who was the Commanding Officer of this unit
when it came overseas was in the vicinity and paid the boys a visit.
He Spent approximately half a day chatting and meeting all the old boys
that came over with him.
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On the 14th of August, the 1535th Ord S&M Co (Avn) relieved
the 1799th Ord S&M Co (Avn) of all duties and activities. Capt.
Jordan was appointed Ordnance Officer of Eagle Farm Airdrome; 1st
Lt. Rausch was placed in charge of the Special Purpose Vehicle Motor
Pool; 1st Lt. O'Brien was appointed Automotive Officer and 2nd Lt.
O'Boyle was appointed Ordnance Property Officer. In addition to
it's regular duties, this organization assumed responsibility for
the maintenance of the Tech Motor Pool and the Trans-Shipment Ware-
house.
During the month of August, the Automotive Section completed
46 job orders. The machinists made 5 more sets of special tools
for the 75mm Aircraft gun thus completing the project. Of the New
Guinea Staff Car Project, 3 cars were rebuilt and shipped to Hq. & Hq.
Far East Air Service Command while 16 were turned in for salvage to
Coopers Plains. In the Trans-Shipment Warehouse, 22 Movement Orders
were completed, 144,645 lb.s of freight were received and 134,109 lbs.
of freight were shipped. 10,000 ft. of wire from condemned aircraft
was salvaged for automotive repair.
ROBERT B. O'BRIEN,
1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Unit Historian
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1944
The strength of this organization on the first of September was
4 Officers and 66 Enlisted Men plus 6 men on DS with this organization
from the 194th Ord Depot Co at APO 922.
On the 14th, T/4 Bolser, T/4 Mitchell and Pfc Beach were transferred
in grade to the Rotation Detachment, Base 3, APO 923. 2nd Lt. James N.
O'Boyle was reasigned to the same unit. These men represented the June,
July and August rotation quotas for this organization. The following day,
T/3 Frank Cushman was placed on TD with that unit for the purpose of
returning to the United States on a 30-day furlough.
1st Lt. Robert B. O'Brien was appointed Ordnance Property Officer
of Eagle Farm Airdrome, vice 2nd Lt. O'Boyle relieved.
On the 24th, 5 enlisted men were transferred to this organization
as replacements. They were interviewed by the Commanding Officer and
then placed in different sections for training.
On the 24th, T/4 Moorefield was appointed S/Sgt while T/5 Harman
was appointed T/4. On the 28th, Pfc.'s McCarthy and Yoos were appointed
T/5's while Pvt's Kunneman and Laverty were appointed Pfc's.
On or about the 20th, Chief Warrant Officer Hohn McNeil, formerly
a M/Sgt in this unit, was in the vicinity and paid the boys a visit.
At the same time, several men received letters from former members of
this unit who were rotated to the United States.
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Another company party was held at Gailes Country Club on the 21st.
A large number of lady guests was present and everyone had an enjoyable
evening. Funds for this party were obtained by voluntary contributions
from each member.
The Commanding Officer held an inspection on the 30th. All men
had their field equipment displayed and had 1-1/2 inch hair-cuts. Because
of the rainy weather, an inspection in ranks was not held.
This unit had a half-hour drill period every Wednesday morning,
the last two being with rifles.
During the month of September, the Automotive Section completed
121 Job Orders and salvaged 19 vehicles. The Trans-shipment Warehouse
received 419,760 lbs. of freight and shipped 159,121 lbs. They completed
25 Movement Orders.
The Tech Motor Pool received 143 vehicles; 177 Ordnance type and
26 Air Corps type. They shipped 70; 55 Ordnance type and 15 Air Corps
type. This section received 13 Movement Orders and completed 10.
In the 3rd Echelon hangar, a new paint shop has been constructed,
the Battery shop has been enlarged and more benches added. A stockade
has been built for tires and bulky supply items. Aroof has been
constructed over the Machine Shop and a wash basin has been installed
in the main shop.
Plans were being formulated to organizem a soft-ball team and enter
it in the Eagle Farm league.
ROBERT B. O'BRIEN,
1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Unit Historical Officer.
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORD S&M CO (AVN) FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 1944:
The strength of this organization on the 1st of October, 1944, was
3 Officers and 67 Enlisted Men assigned, with 6 Enlisted Men of the 194th
Ordnance Depot Co . on DS with this unit.
On the 3rd, Pvt. Brown was transferred to Hq Co, USAFFE. S/Sgt
Andreachhi was transferred to this organization from Hq Sqdn., Fifth Air
Force and placed on DS with Hq Sqdn., Far East Air Service Command, APO
923. 2nd Lt. Norman R. Seim, O-2037392, was assigned to the Company from
Hq., Far East Air Service Command.
On the 6th, T/5 Schoulties was appointed T/4 while Privates Johnson,
Kandefer, Kapusta, Knight and Larkin were appointed Pfc's.
T/5 Johnny Gault was transferred to Rotation Detachment, Base 3,
APO 923, on the 9th while S/Sgt Amaral and T/5 Dyer were placed on TD
with that unit for the purpose of returning to the United States on a
30-day furlough.
2nd Lt. Seim, who was now with the unit for almost 2 weeks was
appointed Unit Sensor, Unit Intelligence Officer, Company Supply Officer,
and Soldier Voting Officer per Company Order No. 19.
Four newly-arrived casuals from the United States, Pfc. Schmerer,
Privates Bishop, Duran & Houhgton, were assigned to this unit on the 19th.
On the 21s t, 1st Lt. George A. Rausch, O-1551066, was relieved from
assignment to this organization and reasigned to Hq., Far East Air Service
Command. 1st Lt. Robert B. O'Brien was then appointed Special Vehicle
Motor Pool Officer of Eagle Farm. One week later, 1st Lt. O'Brien was
appointed Information and Education Officer of this unit.
Two more casuals, S/Sgt William C. Hadden and Corp. Johnnie A.
Dornak, were assigned to this unit on the 30th.
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The Automotive Section completed 120 job orders and salvaged
15 vehicles.
The Trans-Shipment Warehouse received 103,640 lbs. of freight
and shipped 416,611. They received 44 Movement Orders, completed 28 and
received 10 Requisitions, completing 5.
The Tech Motor Pool received 66 vehicles - 53 of which were Ordnance
and 13 were Air Corps. They shipped 268 vehicles - 249 of which were
Ordnance and 19 were Air Corps.
The Armament section received 251 weapons for inspection and repairs.
101 bins had been constructed in the Automotive Supply Stockade
for the stocking of bulky supplies.
ROBERT B. O'BRIEN,
1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Unit Historical Officer.
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FORMONTH OF NOVEMBER, 1944:
The strength of this organization at the beginning of this
period was 3 Officers, 72 Enlisted Men assigned and 5 Enlisted Men
on DS with this organization from the 194th Ordnance Depot Co.
On the 6th, Capt. Lyle L. Jordan, The Commanding Officer of this
unit was appointed Ordnance Officer of Hq., Airdrome, 11th Air Service
Squadron, Apo 923, pp 11, SO# 24, Hq., 11th Air Sv Sqd., dated 14
August, 1944.
In addition to his other duties, 2nd Lt. Norman R.Seim was
appointed War Bond Officer of this organization on the 16th.
On the 18th, Pfc.Paul Schmerer was reduced to the grade of Private
for inefficiency.
On the 22nd, Sgt. John M. Gartland rejoined this organization
after spending a 30-day furlough in the United States.
Of the 5 Enlisted Men that were on DS with this unit, 4 of them
received orders to rejoin their parent organization while T/5 Phillips
was transferred in grade to Hq Sq, FEASC, APO 565 and was awaiting
transportation to that unit.
1st Sgt. Mark Enoch & Tech. Sgt. Norval T. Johnson departed on the
27th for the purpose of returning to the United States on a 30-day
furlough. T/Sgt Albert J. Bonislawski was then appointed Acting 1st Sgt.
Another company party was held at Gailes Country Club on the 23rd.
A voluntary contribution from the personnel of this organization was taken
on the 1st of the month. This amount covered most of the expenses
and the remainder was taken from the Company Fund.
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Of the 12 Duty Soldiers assigned to this organization, 10 of
them are being trained for different MOS numbers . The primary
function of this unit at thislocation is automotive maintenance,
therefore, most of the new men are receiving training in the
automotive line.
ROBERT B. O'BRIEN,
1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,
Historical Officer.
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