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BASEBALL PLAQUE
36A-2716, Not for Sale
Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945, at which time approximately 4 million men found themselves happily un-employed and all wanted to return to the U,S, next Tuesday.
Fortunately, the US Army Chief of Staff, General George C. Marshal had anticipated this. His experience with the demobilization of WWI proved how disorderly the process could be. American divisions had been sent home as entire units, which made for wonderful hometown parades, but this was not an option in WW2. Most divisions were made up of replacements with little service time. In July 1943 a Special planning division was formed to establish an equitable demobilization plan.
The Army ultimately implemented a points system called the Adjusted Service Rating Score. Points were assigned according to the following formula:
- One point for each month in the Army.
- One additional point for each month in service overseas.
- Five points for each campaign.
- Five points for a medal for merit or valor.
- Five points for a Purple Heart.
Twelve points for each dependent child, up to three.
When the war ended soldiers began calculating their point totals, eighty five was the magic number that got you a quick ride home. By year’s end, the threshold was reduced to fifty points. Between September and December 1945, the Army had discharged an average of 1.2 million soldiers per month.
Existing divisions in Europe that had a large percentage of high -point men, such as the 82nd Airborne Division, were sent home after low point men were transferred out and were replaced with higher point men from other divisions.
Common knowledge since the Roman Legions is that an Army must be kept busy to prevent problems. I imagine that every rock in Western Europe was painted white, but more formal activities were managed as well such as the all-American Sport, Baseball.
This Championship Award Plaque is evidence of such “Get-em-Busy” activity. The team roster is shown on the reverse side and is made up of some very unique names, perhaps your relative is listed?