Interested in information about the Navy's Reserve V-6 program under Gene Tunney, during WW2. Program details and any records referencing Emmett Joseph Bryson, Chief athletic Trainer (Specialist (T), would be of importance.

US Navy reserve V-6 program oversaw by ex boxing champion Gene Tunney during second world war.  An arm of the V-6 specialists related to athletic training/fitness, with some individuals reaching rate of Chief/Master Chief athletic trainer, specialist (T).  One such individual was Emmett J. Bryson.  This program I believe only lasted a few years and was abolished at the end of the war.  Looking for any detailed information as to exactly what the duties were of these trainers on the pacific islands.

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  • Ken: My late father-in-law, professional heavyweight Francis (aka Frank and Frankie) Poreda, was among the fighters recruited by Gene Tunney into this unit. Chief Poreda served throughout the war and resumed his professional career after the war. If you want to compare notes/research, I’d be pleased to do so. I have Frank’s scrapbook covering the years 1940 to 1947. There are several articles and photos about Tunney and the program. 
    Jack Marsh, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

  • Hi Jack, just following up to see if you received my initial response and interest in comparing notes/research on our fathers-in-law time spent in the Reserve V-6 program.  If you are still interested in discussing and/or sharing information, I would be very appreciative for any information you might provide.  Emmett didn't leave much behind, or anything the family can locate, but I was able to obtain his official Navy personal file which details his time from enlistment, through duty stations, till discharge, but nothing specific as to what exactly the role of the athletic trainer was.  Did they put on entertainment (boxing matches), provide daily/regular exercise programs, etc.  Were they attached to any specific company,  or did they travel and work as individuals at duty stations?  If your father-in-law, Frank maintained a scrapbook covering this period and he identified locations and actual activities he was involved in, that info would be extremely helpful.  

    I don't want to be a bother to you, so if you don't have the time or are no longer interested, I will fully understand and no longer reach out to you, but any specific activities and locations he served in would be most helpful what role Emmett likely did as an athletic trainer/instructor during the war.  Best Regards, Ken Robidoux

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  • Hi Jack, just following up to see if you received my initial response and interest in comparing notes/research on our fathers-in-law time spent in the Reserve V-6 program.  If you are still interested in discussing and/or sharing information, I would be very appreciative for any information you might provide.  Emmett didn't leave much behind, or anything the family can locate, but I was able to obtain his official Navy personal file which details his time from enlistment, through duty stations, till discharge, but nothing specific as to what exactly the role of the athletic trainer was.  Did they put on entertainment (boxing matches), provide daily/regular exercise programs, etc.  Were they attached to any specific company,  or did they travel and work as individuals at duty stations?  If your father-in-law, Frank maintained a scrapbook covering this period and he identified locations and actual activities he was involved in, that info would be extremely helpful.  

    I don't want to be a bother to you, so if you don't have the time or are no longer interested, I will fully understand and no longer reach out to you, but any specific activities and locations he served in would be most helpful what role Emmett likely did as an athletic trainer/instructor during the war.  Best Regards, Ken Robidoux

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