Edwin Joseph Leer born August 10th 1907 in La Moure, North Dakota. Enlisted in the US Army in 1923. Reaching the Rank of Master Sergeant by 1939. 1942, he was an Officer Cadet and went to lead a MP Unit after his commissioning. Even though it is not mentioned when he received the Nicaraguan Campaign Medal which was for the USMC. But he seen on the photos wearing it the ribbons. WW2 Service  Four Battle Stars Rome, Arno, Southern France and Rhineland Germany. His roles 1941 – Supervised Secret Documents at Forth Army HQ in San Francisco 1943 – Philipville, Constantine – Area in Algeria North Africa. Maintained 31 Detachments of MPs-Drivers-etc at the Port of Bone and Philipville. 83 Liberty Ships discharging and taking on cargo. Looked after the Supply and Oil Dumps, and Air Field. 1944 – Port Security at Ajaccio, Port au Vecchio, Bastia, Corsica on the day of arrival. Setting up duties on the port thereafter. 1945 – Provost Marshals Office, Marseille France, Operations Officer. 1946 – Provost Marshall of Allied Mission Observing the Greek Elections. 1947 – 49 – Provost Marshall  and Intelligence Officer various Positions in the USA. 1949 – 1950 – Camp Zama, Japan 10th Regional Area Occupying Forces. He met his wife to be in North Africa, a French Lady called Michelle Charlotte, she was working there as a member of the French Resistance. Her items are all so seen the photos and are included in the sale. Leer married and took his War Bride to the USA, in fact he was sent to Observe the Greek Elections and Michelle left for the US. They would meet in the USA. Sadly Leer died in a Car Accident in 1955. Newspaper Article about Major Leer overseeing the Greek Elections.  https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-escanaba-daily-press-17aug47french/135071356/ Medals 1926 – 1930 – Second Nicaraguan Campaign Expedition Marine Corps Medal Yangtze Service Medal China Service Medal French Cross of War Foreign Service Medal with One Star Asian Pacific Campaign Medal European African Medal US WW2 Commemoration Medal US Japan Occupation Medal Bronze Star Good Conduct Medal Commendation Medal Mediterranean Campaign Medal Armed Forces Reserve Expert Rifleman Occupation of Greece 1945 Final Comments An astoundingly long military career, Leer raised the ranks from a Private right up to a Lt-Colonel. Leers wartime marriage to a lady he met in North Africa who was a member of the Resistance could be researched further. Leers souvenirs make for a great amount of bank notes, occupation money, and some small items that he seemed to have found along the way. A great grouping, and really not easy to find such groupings anymore.

Elsa Marburg was born in Alzenau Germany 1.3.1904 – and was a married housewife living in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. In 1936, Elsa decided to escape Germany. The Germany of 1936, with the enacted racial laws (below) likely cancelled her marriage to Mr Schmidt. Now she would have to escape Germany. The Passport was issued by the Police in Frankfurt on the 24th of June 1936, it was only valid till 23rd of December 1936. Five days later, Elsa arrived at the US Consulate in Stuttgart Germany, where a US Immigrant Identity was issued. 23th of September, the Police in Frankfurt entered that she is to be considered a Foreigner as of the 23rd of September. 25th of September Elsa paid a charge of 30 RM to the Police, the same day she went to the Passport off 29th of September 40RM at the Deutsche Verkehrs Kredit bank in Cologne, Germany 29th September 1936 – Was Stamped in Herbesthal, Belgium One day before her pass ran out 2nd of September 1936 – Stamped Ostend Belgium  Maritime Elsa entered the United Kingdom on the Transit, Police Stamp in Dover on the 2nd of October 1936. Else Bordered the MV Britannic set for the USA. Recorded on the Passenger List – Note Race or People Hebrew.         

Interesting Cutlass, with etched blade, sadly no scabbard. But still not an easy Cutlass to find. Blade – single-edged, hunting scenes and hunting trophies.

Original Officers Heer Dagger by Tiger Solingen. It is in nice shape with some nice patina on the dagger parts. Price Tracked in the USA and EU.