military history help

[scott5640]

i am trying to figure out something, whenever i would go to my great grandfathers(now deceased), he would say,"whats your number!"..

does anyone know what that means?

 

[94twodoor]

I would have to say it either means whats your social security number. Name rank and number , number being social sec num.

 

[Ronv]

The military used to issue their own number which was different from your SS and that number is refered to when asked," Name,Rank,& Number.

 

[scott5640]

ohhh he was a Officer in WWII

 

[Mac]

I can see why he was asking "What's your number?" now. Only an officer or sargent would want to know. Think in the service numbers got changed to your SS number right around '70'.
ER17760959 (SIR). The two letter prefex stood for Enlisted Reserve, US if drafted or Regular Army if enlisted. 44 years and still remember mine.
Dave