grandfathers wierd dogtags

**Snake Master** · 05-26-2012, 02:13 PM

I found these in a box of letters to my father when he was in vietnam. There were his dogtags which were normal issue vietnam, then there were these other ones that at first I thought were his but they didnt have the same blood type. My grandfather and him have the same name exept he is jr.

It says:
holt
melvin E
RA11971371
A Neg
Protastant

I thought my grandfathers were WW2 but they do not have a notch and heve a plastic matierial yellow cord.

I would put photos but my camera isnt working.

Thanks,
Michael

**KradSpam** · 05-26-2012, 02:20 PM

Without pics it's hard to have a discussion really, but it's cool you have these personal items from your father and grandfather

Welcome to the forum too.

**milmuseum** · 05-26-2012, 02:22 PM

Hi Michael,

Is the service # the same on both sets of them?

Thanks

Burt

**Adrian Stevenson** · 05-26-2012, 02:52 PM

"RA" serial number prefix was introduced in the 1950's.

Cheers, Ade.

**GIZMO8Z** · 05-26-2012, 02:56 PM

RA in the serial number stands for "Regular Army". This abbreviation wasn't used until post WWII. Cheers to Ade for teaching me this trick!

EDIT: Speak of the devil! Ade beat me to it!

**Snake Master** · 05-27-2012, 09:29 PM

thanks, that clears a lot up.
I have pics of my grandfather in 1944, but I dont see him wearing them.
but the weird thing is my grandfather's, and my own fathers from the vietnam war have different names, blood types but the same RA number is the same on each others.
my grandfather name was melvin e holt
and my fathers name is melvin e holt jr.

plus I still havent figured out what the yellow plastic cord is for.
I think it replaces the metal chain?

thanks

**ObKrieger** · 05-27-2012, 09:40 PM

Could we see some photos?

**Snake Master** · 05-27-2012, 10:46 PM

I have the photos now I just dont know how to upload them

**Snake Master** · 05-28-2012, 10:51 PM

Flickr: mfrench1922's Photostream

ok I uploaded images on flickr.

**welikeike** · 06-11-2012, 07:10 PM

They're not so weird. From what I understand, these were Private Purchase.
My grandfather had 3 WWII types, and one was apparently Private Purchase. Covered (plastic/celluloid) wire cord. I think you could buy them in the PX.
I'm thinking things don't really change much and even in VN, there were variants that were Private Purchase/Personal.
Nice to have your father's and g-father's!