My Grandfather’s Military Radio Code Training Records (1942)

Earlier this summer I was gifted my grandfather’s radio code training records that he used during his duties as an Army Signal Corp officer. I was able to find these records on Discogs as United States Armed Forces Institute, Special Service Division, S.O.S. War Department – Basic Radio Code (Records 13-22). This collection was published in 1942 under the Allied Record Manufacturing Co., Inc. label. I have the 2nd collection (records 13-22) which covers more advanced radio code copying.

The recorded material consists of a code aptitude test, introduction to Morse Code letters and numbers, and training at various speeds up to 16 WPM. You can find these records on the Internet Archive where they’ve been digitized and are available for anyone to download and listen.

More about my grandfather, Fred Bean

Photo of Fred Bean in military uniform while serving in India during WWII

In a previous journal entry I wrote about my grandfather Fred Bean and our shared call sign, W1YTQ. My grandfather’s training records are another connection to him as I enjoy amateur radio. The radio code records are especially meaningful because in the past year CW has become my primary mode of radio operations. I really enjoy Morse code.

The gift of these records provides an excuse for me to write a little more about him. Here’s an excerpt from a document my mother submitted to a local publication, Paper Talks Magazine:

World War II Veteran:  Fred William Bean
Birth Date:  September 23, 1918		  Birth Place:   Jay, Maine
Parents names:  Eugene and Charlotte (Pike) Bean
Hometown:  Livermore Falls, Maine		Enlistment/draft date:  July 6, 1942
Branch of Service:  U. S. Army		Unit:  Signal Corps
Duties in WWII:  _All communications.  In charge of working in signal center—
    cryptographic work.  Responsible for communications along the railroad and pipeline --
    furnishing planes flying the hump.  In charge of operations within the Chabua area,
    involving a commercial switchboard, handling about 2,000 calls/hour
Where veteran served:  India and Burma
Commendations/medals Received:  Theater Combat Zone Star, Victory Medal
Discharge Date and Rank:  May, 1946, Captain	
Place of settlement after return home:  Brewer, Maine
Career after military:  Industrial Arts Teacher, Brewer High School
Retirement Date: ____June, 1977_____________________