Louis Frank Birchler

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is likely but unconfirmed that PVT Birchler was posthumously awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No  Official Regiment or Division After Action Report
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records

American Battle Monuments Commission Data
Louis Frank Birchler
Service # 39201407
Unit 187th Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division
Rank Private U.S. Army
Entered Service From: Washington
Date of Death: December 20, 1944
Buried
 Plot: B, Row: 14, Grave: 100
 Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
 Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart


WWII Draft Card Data
Louis Frank Birchler
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 19
Birth Date: June 14, 1925  -  Birth Place: Tacoma, Washington
Residence Place: Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
Registration Date: June 30, 1942  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Seattle - Tacoma Shipyards
Weight: 160, Height: 5' 7"
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Hazel  -  Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Louis Birchler
Members of Household: Louis Frank Birchler, Self

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Name: Louis F. Birchler
Rank: Enlisted Man
Admission Age: 21
Birth Date: abt 1923
Admission Date: December 1944
Discharge Date: December 1944
Military Branch: Infantry, Airborne or Glider Units
Diagnosis:
  First Location: Unknown, code not applicable;
  Causative Agent: Falling Earth, Stone, or Other Material
Type of Injury: Injury, battle
Injured in Line of Duty: In line of duty
Type of Discharge: Died
Length of Service: 2 Year(s), 0 Month(s) Service Number: 39201407

World War II Jewish Servicemen Cards, 1942-1947
Service # 39201407
Name: Louis F Birchler
Rank: Pvt.
Next of Kin: Louis Birchler
Relationship: Father
Address: 6728 South Monroe St., Tacoma, Wash
Source of Information: War Dept. Rel. 3/1/45 pg. 2636
Record Date: 1 Mar 1945
Worker Consulted: Mrs. Wolf
Branch: Army

Note 1: The death location, "In Leyte, Philippines" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of PVT Birchler, this location was estimated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 187th Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division.

B. At the time PVT Birchler was Killed In Action the 11th Airborne Division was conducting combat operations on Leyte, Philippines during December 1944.

C. Hospital Admission Records indicate that PVT Birchler died during December 1944, as a result of combat injuries.

D. Further information on the 187th Infantry Regiment and the 11th Airborne Division can be found at the Wikipedia website 11th Airborne Division, 187th Infantry Regiment.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - See Note 2

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