| Preparation for Overseas Movement - POM |
| During WWII, the War Department created a system for the prioritization of movement, known as POM - Preparation for Overseas Movement, for the shipping of large amounts of equipment, while maintaining the individual unit equipment integrity. A code system of three colored bars and numeric system was initiated and implemented which allowed units to quickly identify their equipment for shipping and collecting at the final destination. The POM system was first used in North Africa during WWII. The coding system was updated and modified for every amphibious operation from North Africa to Europe. The three colored bars were allotted a color number system of: 1 Buff, 2 Olive Drab, 3 Yellow, 4 Green, 5 Gray, 6 Blue, 7 Maroon, 8 Red, 9 White and 0 Brown. The final two digits of the POM number correspond to these color codes, with the top and bottom bar color matching. A POM color code for the North Africa Campaign, for example: 4426-A, will be Olive Drab/Blue/Olive Drab. The final two digits of the POM code correspond to the bar colors listed above. For the POM code 4426-A, 2 Olive Drab and 6 Blue, the third bar color is a repeat of the first color, in this example Olive Drab. The first and third color are repeated so that the code could be viewed from either direction without confusion. Each of the three colored bars were painted approximately 1" by 4" and are often painted over a white background for ease of identification. The POM system can now assist the historian with the identification of individual equipment or period photographs, to an exact unit of use during WWII. In 2011, Ben C. Major and Louis S. Montbertrand published "First U.S. Army Build-Up Priority Tables, List A, D+1 through D+14" for the POM markings for D-Day Normandy, ISBN 978-1-4476-7681-2. This list was found by the authors and includes the POM markings for the first two weeks of the Normandy Invasion only. These POM numbers include 3131 through 61248. Because numbers were assigned prior to the Normandy Invasion, and the List "A" only includes D+1 through D+14, there are many gaps in the documented numbering system. Units that deployed to Normandy after D+14 are not included in this book and their POM markings/numbers are currently not fully documented. POM markings used prior to Normandy are also not fully documented. Duffel or Duffle Bags and Clothing Bags are most often marked with several key pieces of information: the Service Members name, Army Serial Number (ASN) for Enlisted or Officers, a Shipment Number (this is a alphanumeric code for the air or seagoing vessel that takes them overseas) a POM number and three colored bars (this is from an overseas marshaling area - North Africa, England etc. to the next war zone or location) and finally a return Shipment Number to the United States (this normally starts with the letters RE and then an alphanumeric code). An Shipment Number was a unique, never used again, alphanumeric number, for one voyage or seagoing convoy, for that specific unit or group of Service Members traveling as replacements. The records of ships, used to carry troops to their theaters of operations, were destroyed intentionally in 1951 by the Department of the Army. This information included all passenger lists, manifests, logs of vessels, and troop movement files of United States Army Transports for World War II. A helpful database on Troop Ship Movements, with some information, is located here: http://www.ww2troopships.com/index.html Occasionally, some of the Shipment Numbers are available in Ancestry.com under the "Immigration & Emigration" tab after a search of a person's name has been done. The "New York, U.S. Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists 1820-1957" do contain some of this WWII information, but this database is also incomplete. This page was created to assist the historian with missing POM information and unit identification. Any use of the following information should be credited to QuestMasters Museum. |
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| U.S. Paratroopers of the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, North Africa, 1943, above photo. The early hard cab U.S. 2-1/2 ton CCKW truck, shown above, has the yellow circle applied around the star for "Operation Torch", November 1942, the Invasion of North Africa. The door carries the POM marking, Preparation for Overseas Movement: Olive Drab/Blue/Olive Drab with 4426-A in white. Shown here are members of the independent American 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment in North Africa, training for the future Invasion of Sicily, "Operation Husky" July 9th 1943. The photo was taken by LIFE photographer Robert Capa. The early white parachute harness on the T-5 parachute harness and the M1A2 Non-Combatant Gas Mask, that was preferred by the Airborne early in the war, are also noteworthy in this photograph. |
| POM NUMBER 4426-A |
| Preparation for Overseas Movement, POM, Second Edition, August 1st 1943, above three photos. This manual, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was released August 1st 1943, "Preparation for Overseas Movement, Short Title POM, Second Edition", AG 370.5 (12 July 1943), OB-S-E-GN-AF-SPMOT-M, War Department Washington D.C. and was owned by Captain Fred G. Lippold. This manual outlines the direction for the application of markings to equipment and vehicles for unit overseas shipment. The First Edition was released February 1st 1943, just after "Operation Torch", the Invasion of North Africa. The Second Edition was released just after "Operation Husky", the Invasion of Sicily. |
| Preparation for Overseas Movement of Individual Replacements, POR, Second Edition, October 1st 1943, above three photos. This manual, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was released October 1st 1943, "Preparation for Overseas Movement for Individual Replacements, Short Title POR", AG 210.31 (11 Sep 1943), OB-S-E-GN-SGAR-M, War Department Washington D.C. and was owned by Captain Fred G. Lippold. This manual outlines the direction for the application of markings to equipment for Officers and Enlisted replacements. |
| POM NUMBERS 56000's: |
| POM number 56223, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by T/4 Jacob S. Detwiler ASN 33872072, born November 16th 1906 and entered service October 30th 1943 from Pennsylvania. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number 9609-BB H&S painted in black on the side and POM code 56223 painted in white on the bottom and side of the bag with Olive Drab/Yellow/Olive Drab bars painted over white. These markings were later painted-over in olive-drab to obliterate these markings. T/4 Detwiler served overseas from October 22nd 1944 to October 28th 1945. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE 7373-J B is painted in white on the side. T/4 Detwiler was discharged on November 2nd 1945, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. He died December 29th 1976 and is buried in the Susquehanna Memorial Gardens, York Pennsylvania. His grave marker lists that he received three Bronze Star Medals. His Veteran's Affairs York County Grave Record lists only: Company D, with no other information. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 27000's: |
| British POM Number 27114, British Pattern 37 Small Pack, above two photos. This British Pattern 37 Small Pack, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, appears to have the U.S. POM code 27114 painted in white on the rear with red/green/red bars painted below. These markings do not match the U.S. POM marking guidelines, (271)14 should be 1 Buff and 4 Green. This pack has British POM markings, which were a similar format to the U.S. codes but were allocated to British forces. It is not known if this British Pattern 37 Small Pack was issued to a U.S. Soldier or obtained by other means, but it eventually ended up in the United States from a U.S. WWII Veteran, returned with his possessions. The partial letters "LICHT" or "UCHT" appears to be marked on the top carry handle with 581 on the front flap. |
| POM MARKINGS NO NUMBER: |
| POM Marking - No Number, Army Air Force B-4 Bag, above photo. This Army Air Force B-4 Bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Sgt. Dewey Reuel Brosey, born April 5th 1921, Clark Ohio, ASN 35417282. Sgt. Brosey was assigned to the 715th Bomb Squadron (B-24 "Liberator" Bombers), 448th Bomb Group, 20th Bomb Wing, 8th Air Force, England. The B-4 Bag has his name painted in black over a white box, which may have been painted over a previous owners name. The Shipment Number FA-155-A is faded with another shipment number 10060-RZ stenciled in darker black. The bag has a POM colored bars of Blue/Red/Blue, but no POM number. The bag is marked inside: DWG. No. 40K3719, A.C. ORDER NO. W33-038 AC-4318, STEIN BROS. MFG. CO. CHICAGO ILL. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 44000's: |
| POM Number 44852, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by PFC Franklin H. Hill ASN 33351857, born November 16th 1916 and entered service August 21st 1942 from Pennsylvania. The duffel bag has a Shipment Number (unreadable) and POM code 44852 painted in black on the bottom and side of the bag. These markings were later painted-over in olive-drab to obliterate these markings. The POM bars should be Gray/Olive Drab/Gray, painted over a white box, which is partly visible. PFC Hill served overseas from December 5th 1943 to November 15th 1945 with B Battery, 444th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) Automatic-Weapons (AW) Battalion (attached 106th Infantry Division, December 17t 1944 to December 25th 1944; 97th Infantry Division, April 20th 1945 through May 9th 1945). The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE7414-N-45 is painted in black on the side, with the partial ship name "Marshall" printed on the U.S. Army baggage tag. PFC Hill was discharged on November 20th 1945, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. He died on March 10th 2006 and is buried in the Hanover Cemetery, Hanover Pennsylvania. |
| POM NUMBERS 50000's: |
| POM number 50163, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Sgt. David S. Myers ASN 31266508, born March 7th 1923 and entered service February 1st 1943 from New Hampshire. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number AE-200-BP-C-9 painted in black on the side and POM code 50163 painted in white on the bottom and side of the bag with Blue/Yellow/Blue bars. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE-5081-25 is painted in white on the side. David S. Myers died on March 18th 1985 and is buried Lee Hill Cemetery, Lee New Hampshire. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 42000's: |
| POM number 42640, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Pvt Anthony Dellera ASN 32814499, born 1923 and entered service February 23rd from New York. This bag may have been re-issued with the previous owner markings obliterated with black paint and stenciled over. The duffel bag does not have a Shipment Number The POM code 42640 painted in white on the side of the bag with Green/Brown/Green bars painted over a previous black painted area. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE-2228-26 is painted in red/brown on the side. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 38000's: |
| POM number 38092, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Joseph Barvinchak (Enlisted rank unknown) ASN 7074285. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number obliterated with olive drab paint on the side. The POM code 38092 painted in white, over previous markings, on side of the bag with White/Olive Drab/White bars painted over white - note the Olive Drab bar is not painted and only the color of the bag used to represent the color. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE-2245-26 is painted in red/brown on the side. No other service information is currently available. The duffel bag was made by Biscayne Tent & Awning Company Incorporated 1943. |
| POM Marking - No Number, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by T/4 Frank Choinsky ASN 32661063, born March 3rd 1918, and entered Service November 9th 1942 from New York. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number obliterated with white paint on the side. The POM code has been over-painted in white as well as the three colored bars. The bars are partly visible and appear to be Maroon/Yellow/Maroon. A February 1944 hospital admission card has him sustaining a non-battle injury to loin, due to falling into a hole or ditch. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE 3605 is painted in black over the previous Shipment Number on the side. T/4 Choinsky was discharged October 24th 1945. He died September 27th 1982 and is buried Old Red Church Cemetery, Tivoli, New York. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 49000's: |
| POM number 49217, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Pvt. James D. Posselli Jr. ASN 32957073, born December 26th 1916 and entered service August 28th 1943 from New Jersey. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number obliterated with olive-drab paint on the side and POM code 49217 painted in white on the side of the bag with Buff/Maroon/Buff bars painted over white. Pvt. James D. Posselli Jr. served with Campany A & E, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, MOS 745 Rifleman. The return shipment number is not present. James D. Posselli Jr. died on November 9th 2008 and is buried Pocono Lake Cemetery, Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania. |
| POM NUMBERS 47000's: |
| POM number 47128, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by T/5 George P. Billy ASN 33431711, born October 22nd 1923 and entered service March 9th 1943 from Pennsylvania. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number 0222-W B (or 6222-W B) painted in black, obliterated with olive-drab paint - but partly readable, on the side and POM code 47128 painted in white on the bottom and side of the bag with Olive Drab/Red/Olive Drab bars painted with a white box around it. T/5 George P. Billy served overseas from February 28th 1944 to November 2nd 1945. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE-2133-45 is painted in white on the side. T/5 George P. Billy was discharged on November 6th 1945, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. He died June 8th 1999 and is buried in the St. Nicholas Cemetery, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. The Duffel Bag was produced by Boyt 1943. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 48000's: |
| POM number 48218, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by T/5 Arthur J. Marsland ASN 31190300, born January 27th 1912 and entered service September 17th 1942 from Connecticut. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number 4164 LLL painted in black on the side and POM code 48218 painted in white on the bottom and side of the bag with Buff/Red/Buff bars painted with a white box around it. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE-2136-25 is painted in red and over-painted in white on the side. T/5 Arthur J. Marsland was discharged December 12th 1945. He died June 14th 1989 and is buried in the Saint Patrick's Cemetery, New Haven Connecticut. The Duffel Bag was produced by The John Igelstroem Company 1943. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM number 50569, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by two different owners during WWII. The first owner: S/Sgt. John Chernecky ASN 31324690, born May 6th 1923 and entered service February 20th 1943 from Connecticut. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number 5059-AZ E painted in black on the side and POM code 50569 painted in white on the bottom and side of the bag with Blue/White/Blue bars. S/Sgt. Chernecky served in the 380th Army Air Force Base Unit. All of these markings were painted-over in black (now visible) and the bag re-issued. S/Sgt. Johh Chernecky died August 4th 1964 and is buried in Three Saints Russian Orthodox Cemetery, Derby Connecticut. The second owner of the re-issued bag during WWII was Lt. John N. Dickson O-798765. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 35000's: |
| POM number 35836, Officer Clothing Bag, above photo. This Officer Clothing Bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Major Donald J. Piper ASN O-908816, with previous rank painted over. The bag has a POM colored bars of Yellow/Blue/Yellow, with POM number 35836, which has been obliterated with dark green paint. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE 3165-1 is painted in white on the side. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM Marking 42280, Officer's Bag, above photo. This private-purchased Officer's Bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by CWO Herman Rappaport, ASN W-2105045. The bag has a POM number 42280 with colored bars of Red/Brown/Red. Another marking on the bag, in black, is GL-B1119-D-EX-O. This marking is unknown. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 10000's: |
| POM number 10393-BB and 34102, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Francis J. Casey (Enlisted rank unknown) ASN 39102708, born August 26th 1911 and entered service September 3rd 1942 from California. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number 9028-F painted in black on the side. This duffel bag has two sets of POM codes applied for different operations. The first POM code 10393-BB painted in black with White/Yellow/White bars. A second POM code 34102 is painted in black on the bottom and side of the bag with Brown/Olive Drab/Brown painted over the previous colored bars. Both sets of bar colors are now visible. The bag is also stenciled: QUARTERMASTER ORD. DEPOT TEXARKANSAS. After WWII, Francis J. Casey joined VFW 6800. He died January 23rd 1986 and is buried in the Saint Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery, Fairfield California. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 46000's: |
| POM Number 46015, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by T/4 Aram Nalbandian ASN 32706979, born April 29th 1922 and entered service January 12th 1943 from New York. The duffel bag has a Shipment Number 2100-NN (00 is partly obscured) painted in white and obliterated with olive-green paint. The POM code 46015 is painted in white on the bottom and side of the bag with Buff/Gray/Buff bars. The top/side of the bag has SMALL stenciled in 1" letters, in white paint. The bag was produced by John Ingelstroem Company 1943. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE 7392 L is painted in black on the side. T/4 Nalbandian was discharged on December 28th 1945. He died on October 17th 1995 and is buried in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton New York. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 51000's: |
| POM number 51563, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Cpl. George H. Gaul ASN 33479553, born February 11th 1919 and entered service January 4th 1943 from Pennsylvania. The duffel bag has POM code 51563 painted in white on the bottom and side of the bag with Blue/Yellow/Blue bars. These markings were later painted-over in olive-drab to obliterate these markings. The bag was produced by Tweedies 1943. Cpl. George H. Gaul served overseas from October 21st 1943 to October 14th 1945 with the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE7366-EE is painted in gray on the side. Cpl. George H. Gaul was discharged on October 26th 1945, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. He died September 5th 1975 and is buried in the Middletown Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Elwyn Pennsylvania. |
| POM NUMBERS 6000's: |
| POM number 6296-D, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by three different Service Members during WWII. The first owners markings have been obliterated and over-painted with black paint. The second owner: PFC Paul A. Burd Jr. ASN 33504614, born December 1st 1924 and entered service March 18th 1943 from Pennsylvania. His markings are: A BAG, P. BURD with the POM code 6296-D painted in black with White/Blue/White bars and large blue letter D. PFC Paul A. Burd Jr. served overseas from August 24th 1943 to November 13th 1945. He was discharged November 18th 1945, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Paul A. Burd Jr. died October 15th 2000, and is buried Memorial Gardens, Ephrata Pennsylvania. No other service information is currently available. The third owner was Frank K. Campbell (Enlisted rank unknown) ASN 33858972, born 1925 and entered service August 24th 1944 from Virginia. His markings are painted over the first owners markings. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number CL-155-&-K-4 painted in white on the side. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, RE7373-HH is painted in white on the side. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM NUMBERS 33000's: |
| POM number 33646, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Sgt. Robert G. Calfee ASN 13063552, born February 26th 1919 and entered service April 18th 1942 from Virginia. The duffel bag has the earlier name, serial number, shipment number and POM code painted over in black. The POM code 33646 was painted in black with Green/Blue/Green bars. Sgt. Calfee served in the 304th Port Company, 519th Port Battalion during WWII. His obituary states that he served at Normandy, France on D+1 and later Holland and Belgium during WWII. Robert G. Calfee died March 5th 2001 and is buried in the Sunrise Burial Park, Fairlawn Virginia. |
| POM NUMBERS 22000's: |
| POM number 22026-S, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by PFC Joseph A. Wambach ASN 37313127, born April 17th 1921 and entered service October 16th 1942 from Minnesota. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number painted-over in olive drab paint. This duffel bag has the POM code 22026-S painted in black in two locations on the sides and on the bottom but it does not have the Olive Drab/Blue/Olive Drab bars that should go with this code. This bag may have been missed during the mass-marking of equipment or the Blue paint not available at the time for marking this specific bag. PFC Joseph A. Wambach served with Battery A, 916th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Guns), 91st Division, in Italy during WWII. A bag tag, attached to the duffel bag, is hand marked Train No. 6, Group 22036-S, Camp McCoy. The reverse of the tag is marked: Movement No. 22026-S, Symbol A, From Naples, To Z.I. (Zone of Interior - Continental United States), Form No. 53-B, 1 AUG 1944. This Duffel Bag was produced by General Shoe Corporation 1944. PFC Wambach was discharged October 29th 1945. He died March 15th 1978 and is buried in Wild Rose Cemetery, Georgetown, Minnesota. |
| POM NUMBERS 32000's: |
| POM number 32013, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by PFC Arlan W. Hasson ASN 33618001, born November 29th 1923 and entered service March 1st 1943 from Pennsylvania. The duffel bag POM code 32013 was painted in large black paint and then obliterated by painting over it with olive drab paint. The POM code 32013 was then painted above it again, in black with Buff/Yellow/Buff colored bars painted over the previous markings, on the front and rear sides of the bag. These markings were then obliterated and painted over in black. PFC Hasson served overseas from November 6th 1943 to November 15th 1945 with the 1st Engineer Special Brigade (ESB), 3939th Quartermaster Gas Supply Company. He landed at Normandy, France, Utah Beach, June 6th 1944. The return shipment number, from overseas to the United States, R0051-C is painted in black on the side. PFC Hasson was discharged November 23rd 1945, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. He died February 15th 1999 and is buried in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton, Pennsylvania. |
| POM NUMBERS 52000's: |
| POM number 52272, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Wayne J. Smith (Enlisted rank unknown) ASN 13068901, born January 4th 1909 and entered service June 8th 1942 from Pennsylvania. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number painted-over in black paint on the side. The POM code 52272 is painted in black on the bottom and side of the bag with Maroon/Olive Drab/Maroon bars painted over white. Wayne J. Smith served overseas from February 27th 1944 to November 9th 1945 and discharged November 14th 1945, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Wayne J. Smith died December 15th 1999 and is buried in Grand View Memorial Park, Annville, Pennsylvania. No other service information is currently available. |
| POM number 56982, Duffel Bag, above photo. This duffel bag, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was owned by Captain Edward W. Bergquest ASN O-1309337. The duffel bag has the Shipment Number 10072-F (this may be for the Queen Elizabeth, which departed New York, NY, October 17th 1944 carrying the 345th Infantry Regiement), painted in white and POM code 56982 painted in black on the side of the bag with Red/Olive Drab/Red bars. Captain Edward W. Bergquest served overseas with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 345th Infantry Regiment, 87th Division. This duffel bag was produced by Biscayne Tent and Awning Company 1944. |
