Hi, my name is Dave and thanks to all for letting me into your forum. I found this site while starting a search on my late father-in-law’s WWII service. He never really spoke of it even to his 2 daughters beyond saying that he was a paratrooper and had jumped into Greece. This from a man who hated to climb ladders! He passed in the 70’s. Just recently while checking some of his military papers, sent by my sister-in-law, I discovered he had been in the OSS. Now in looking further I found that he served in Company C, 2671 Special Reconnaissance Battalion, Operational GroupVII, which was assigned to Greece. His name was TSgt. Peter M. Panagakos. From what I have read this OG is considered one of the forerunners of today’s Army Special Forces (please correct me if I’m wrong) and that the OSS in general is also considered a forerunner of the CIA on the intelligence gathering side of the house. I found that there is a statute with his name and others in that OG at the Greek Military HO in Athens and that there might be a plaque for the OGs in general at Ft. Bragg (can anyone confirm?). I also found that one of the reasons that so little was known about these OGs in Greece is that the records were declassified only in 1988. So to sum this part up, I’m looking for any help you folks can provide in my quest. In other words, where do I look? I’ve requested his military records thru my Congressman as a start along with my late father’s. He was a WWII Army Combat Engineer who landed a few days after D-Day and was among the first to cross the Rhine after his unit repaired the bridge. From whatever I can gather I hope to make cases to display the medals, badges, etc. My Dad was one of 13 in his family, 11 boys and 2 girls. Several of my uncles also served in combat in WWII and several of my cousins have also served. I even have ancestors that served in the Polish Army long ago. And several of my Polish relatives joined the Polish resistance in the war.
As far as I am concerned, I retired 3 years ago after serving just over 28 years as a police officer/detective/K-9 handler/weapons instructor in suburban Chicago. I served for 4 years active in the USAF as a Special Weapons Specialist and crewchief (Nuclear) 1969-1973. I also served for almost 8 years in the active reserve as Security Controller and fireteam leader in the now disbanded WSSF/Airbase Ground Defense unit. This was a part of the AF Security Police function (even got to wear a BLUE beret, lol) and I was a member of the first reserve unit to received that training. As an aside, when I was active I looked into Rararescue (PJs) and Combat Control Teams (CCT). Just one slight problem… I swim like a ROCK. Even after learning to scuba dive! So much for those ideas.
Thanks for reading this boring post. I and my family would be thankful for any help you folks can provide in those searches. Thanks again. PS: you guys are only
slightly crazy for what you’ve done. LOL
Forgot to say, it looks like my wife and I need to head to Greece soon!!!! She now has a real good reason.
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