Pogs served as Technician Fifth Grade in the 91st Infantry Division, United States Army, seeing combat in North Italy from early 1945 through the end of the war in Europe. These medals, badges, patches, and documents are the physical record of that service.
Awarded for Meritorious Service in Combat
On 13 April 1945, during the assault breakthrough into the Po Valley in North Italy, two men in Pogs' rifle platoon were wounded under intense enemy fire. Pogs exposed himself to that fire to administer first aid, then continued to expose himself until he could evacuate both men to a safe position.
The Bronze Star is the fourth-highest individual military decoration that can be awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces. Pogs received it with a "V" device for valor in direct combat.
"ALVIN R. CARLSON, (39567410), Technician Fifth Grade Infantry, United States Army. For meritorious service in combat from 15 January 1945, to 2 May 1945, in North Italy.
On 13 April 1945, the rifle platoon in which Technician Fifth Grade Carlson is a member, was one of the leading platoons in the assault resulting in the break through into the Po Valley. During this attack, the fire from all types of enemy weapons was intense, and resistance was fanatical. When two men were wounded, Technician Fifth Grade Carlson exposed himself to the intense enemy fire by administering first aid to the wounded men. He further exposed himself until he could evacuate them to a safe position from which they could later be evacuated by a litter team.
At all times, Technician Fifth Grade Carlson has displayed a high degree of combat skill, and his aggressiveness has proven to be an incentive to the men in his platoon. Technician Fifth Grade Carlson exemplifies the type of courage and initiative that are characteristic of the traditions of the Infantry and the Army of the United States. Entered military service from Los Angeles, California."
— R. E. S. Williamson, Brigadier General, U.S. Army Commanding
Alvin R. Carlson · 39567410
Soldiers wore two dog tags primarily for casualty tracking and identification. If a soldier is killed in action, one tag remains with the body for burial identification, while the other is taken by commanders or medical personnel to log the death and notify the next of kin. These brass tags were issued in 1943 at the start of Pogs' service.
The tags read: ALVIN R CARLSON / 39567410 T43-44 A / JENNIE M CARLSON / 242 W 85TH ST. P. / LOS ANGELES, CALIF
His next of kin was his mother Jennie M. Carlson - Gaga — at her home on West 85th Street in Los Angeles. His blood type was A and his tetanus inoculation was dated 1943–44. His religious preference is marked "P" for Protestant - the closest available option, as the Army did not list LDS as a separate category. Pogs was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Pogs went by his middle name Reginald his entire life. His full legal name - Alvin Reginald Carlson - appears here and on his Bronze Star citation.
Awarded Only to Infantry in Active Ground Combat
The Combat Infantryman Badge is one of the most respected decorations in the U.S. Army. It is awarded exclusively to infantry soldiers who have been personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry position.
Pogs earned his CIB during the campaign in North Italy, confirmed by his Bronze Star citation which places him in active combat from 15 January to 2 May 1945 - through the assault on the Po Valley and the final collapse of German resistance in Italy.
The badge features a silver Springfield musket on a blue enamel rectangle, surrounded by a silver oak leaf wreath - a design unchanged since its creation in 1943.
A Visual Record of Service
Ribbon bars are the small versions of medals worn on the dress uniform when full medals would be impractical. Each ribbon corresponds to a specific medal or campaign award.
Pogs' ribbon bars include the Bronze Star ribbon (red with a blue center stripe bordered by white), the European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal ribbon (representing service in the Italian theater), the American Campaign Medal ribbon, and the World War II Victory Medal ribbon.
The gold-framed bar is the ribbon bar for the Bronze Star - framed separately as a dress presentation piece.
Efficiency · Honor · Fidelity
The Good Conduct Medal is awarded to enlisted soldiers who complete a period of honorable service - exemplary in behavior, efficiency, and fidelity throughout their time in uniform.
The medal bears an eagle standing on a sword and shield with the words "Efficiency · Honor · Fidelity" encircling the design. Its red ribbon with three white stripes represents the three virtues for which it is awarded.
Alongside the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge, this medal rounds out the picture of a soldier who served with both courage in the field and integrity throughout his service.
