Here is a memorial to Sergeant John O'Shea, of the U. S. Army (26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division), in the far west of Ireland. What does "SS - 2 PH" mean? Belville
Hey Belville. The "SS" stands for Silver Star and "2 PH" stands for 2 Purple Hearts. The American Silver Star Medal is the third highest for bravery. The Purple Heart Medal is for wounds received in action.
Here is John O'Shea's info from the online enlistment records at the NARA. Field Title Value Meaning ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 32105385 32105385 NAME O#SHEA#JOHN############# O#SHEA#JOHN############# RESIDENCE: STATE 23 NEW YORK RESIDENCE: COUNTY 047 KINGS PLACE OF ENLISTMENT 2349 JAMAICA NEW YORK DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY 07 07 DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH 03 03 DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR 41 41 GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION PVT# Private GRADE: CODE 8 Private BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION BI# Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA BRANCH: CODE 00 Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA FIELD USE AS DESIRED # # TERM OF ENLISTMENT 7 Enlistment for the Philippine Department LONGEVITY ### ### SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL 0 Civil Life NATIVITY K2 IRISH FREE STATE YEAR OF BIRTH 16 16 RACE AND CITIZENSHIP J White, not yet a citizen EDUCATION 3 3 years of high school CIVILIAN OCCUPATION 295 Elevator operators MARITAL STATUS 6 Single, without dependents COMPONENT OF THE ARMY 7 Selectees (Enlisted Men) CARD NUMBER # # BOX NUMBER 0466 0466 FILM REEL NUMBER 3.188 3.188
Thank you very much, both of you. I will add this to the information page on the Irish War Memorials website. Belville