He wasn't a doctor, and didn't have any medical skills that I am aware of. (After serving in the military he has a long career as a car dealership sales manager.)
What might a technical staff sergeant do aboard a hospital ship?
Would he have been in charge of other men?
What does one have to do to get promoted to this level?
What would life aboard a hospital ship have been like?
I have So many questions. Anything you can share would be appreciated.
Note: I hope this question is not too specific for this sub. Just trying to learn as much as I can about my grandfather's life.
Links:
I will address few of your questions:
Your grand father was a technical sergeant. There was no technical staff sergeant.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_enlisted_rank_insignia_of_World_War_II
It looks like he served at least 18 months overseas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Service_Bar) and at least three years in the army (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_stripe).
He served in five different campaigns (battles) in the Pacific Theater to include the liberation of the Philippines. He was also award an Army Good Conduct Medal and an American Campaign Medal, and WWII Victory Medal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_service_medals_of_the_World_Wars
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_Victory_Medal_(United_States)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Conduct_Medal_(United_States)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Liberation_Medal
NB: The last one was issued by the Philippine government, not US.
