World War II US Army Enlisted Record and Report of Separation (unauthenticated)

This physical item is a vintage United States military document, specifically an Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge form (WD AGO Form 53-55, dated 1 November 1944). The document is printed on off-white or light cream paper with black typewriter text filling in various fields, alongside handwritten signatures and stamped markings in black and red ink. The physical sheet exhibits moderate signs of aging, including yellowing of the paper, edge creasing, fold lines from being stored folded, and minor smudging around the handwritten sections. The top of the form displays printed text reading 'ENLISTED RECORD AND REPORT OF SEPARATION HONORABLE DISCHARGE'. Key typed and handwritten entries visible on the form include the soldier's name 'Pancoast Jack F', army serial number '33 031 648', and organization 'Battery A 91st F A Bn', indicating service in a Field Artillery Battalion. Dates of induction and separation are listed as 13 Feb 41 and 26 Jul 45, respectively. The document details military history, including service in campaigns such as 'Tunisia', 'Naples-Foggia', 'Rome-Arno', 'North Appennines', and 'Po Valley', alongside decorations like the 'Good Conduct Medal' and 'European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars'. A right thumbprint is visible in the designated box near the bottom left, and the signature of the person being separated reads 'Jack F Pancoast' above the signature of personnel officer 'Sherman D Ader'. The identification of this document is based entirely on the clearly legible printed form layout, official War Department typography, and contemporary filled-in data consistent with mid-20th-century US military records, though the physical piece itself remains unauthenticated as an original period artifact.

Based on what I can see in the provided image, this item appears to be a vintage World War II US Army Enlisted Record and Report of Separation form (WD AGO Form 53-55) bearing the name Jack F Pancoast. The document displays typical typography, layout, and filled-in data consistent with mid-20th-century military paperwork, along with expected signs of age such as yellowing paper and fold lines. However, I cannot verify from a photo alone whether this is a period-correct artifact or a later reproduction, replica, or copy. Military documents of this type are frequently reproduced for genealogical or display purposes. Assuming the working hypothesis that this piece is a period-appropriate original document, comparable items typically trade in a modest market range of $50 to $150 among collectors of militaria and historical paper ephemera, with value heavily dependent on the historical significance of the specific service record and the overall physical condition. If physical inspection were to reveal that the item is a modern reproduction or replica rather than a vintage document, the value would drop significantly to a nominal decorative or educational amount, likely under $15. To move beyond an unauthenticated visual assessment, physical inspection by a qualified militaria expert would be required to evaluate paper stock, ink types, and printing characteristics for period accuracy.