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 (1939-1945) WWII
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cb123
memphis TN USA
Posts: 1
Joined: 2021
Can anyone help me understand this portion of a DD214
10/10/2021 1:53:13 PM
https://imgur.com/a/TIhhGGO

Good afternoon!

I was looking at my grandfather's DD214 and under this section titled, "Service Outside Continental U.S. And Return" and had a question regarding the "Destination" section of 20 Oct 45. What does the destination ETO-USA mean? I understand that they both separately mean European Theater of Operations and United States of America. But then for 31 Oct 45 it shows that the destination was ETO. I'm a little confused on what this phrasing means. I'm not entirely sure on how to post a picture, I hope this Imgur link is okay.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Cb123
kaii
Oslo  Norway
Posts: 3117
Joined: 2010
Can anyone help me understand this portion of a DD214
10/11/2021 12:41:55 PM
ETOUSA probably refers to European Theatre of Operations, United States Amy- as described in this link.
[Read More]

K
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"They tried to bury us - but did not realise that we are seeds." -Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of Ukraine
Jim Cameron
Ossining NY USA
Posts: 969
Joined: 2005
Can anyone help me understand this portion of a DD214
10/11/2021 1:47:36 PM
Purely speculative on my part, but the 20 Oct entry may signify a one way trip from the ETO to the States, possibly by air since the travel time was only two days.
It then appears that about a week later, he returned to the ETO for several months, for whatever reason. This time around, both legs may have been by sea, given the longer travel times.

Do his records give any indication as to why and for how long he had been overseas prior to 20 Oct? Or, any clue as to why he would have returned after such a short time back in the States?
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Jim Cameron Every time I go to Gettysburg, I learn two things. Something new, and, how much I still don't know.
OpanaPointer
St. Louis MO USA
Posts: 1702
Joined: 2010
Can anyone help me understand this portion of a DD214
10/22/2022 8:51:22 PM
The ETO-USA indicates beginning and final destination for his trip. The hyphen is the fun part. The route of return could be via any number of options. Troop ships, warships, air travel, "other", would be options there.
RichTO90
Bremerton WA USA
Posts: 711
Joined: 2004
Can anyone help me understand this portion of a DD214
11/8/2022 6:19:03 PM
The destination is European Theater of Operations, United States Army. Different Army clerks abbreviated it as ETO-USA, ETOUSA, and ETO, USA. Date of departure, destination, and date of arrival were separate entries in Block 36 of the DD214 and each line in the block represented a different movement. There should be a second line that shows his return to the US.
OpanaPointer
St. Louis MO USA
Posts: 1702
Joined: 2010
Can anyone help me understand this portion of a DD214
11/9/2022 8:19:19 AM
I can picture a building full of yeomen trying to update millions of -214s post-war. They wouldn't have cheated on them, not at all.
RichTO90
Bremerton WA USA
Posts: 711
Joined: 2004
Can anyone help me understand this portion of a DD214
11/9/2022 11:36:22 AM
Quote:
I can picture a building full of yeomen trying to update millions of -214s post-war. They wouldn't have cheated on them, not at all.


Yep. What's really funny is there was a complete FM handbook for official Army abbreviations...and I think the clerks only used it when their Sears Catalog was finished.

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