Showing 1–9 of 17 resultsSorted by latest
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WWII US Army Medal Lot – Mike Paul Benz – Bronze Star Named – Early Serial Numbered Purple Heart – Wounded by MG Fire September 1944 France
I was able to find some details on the owner. It seems his father was from Czechoslovakia and immigrated to the USA. Name: Mike P Benz Birth Date 27 Apr 1922 Death Date 25 Jun 1993 Cause of Death Natural SSN 285127284 Enlistment Branch ARMY Enlistment Date 18 Dec 1942 Discharge Date 30 Nov 1945 Wounded Name Mike P Benz Race White, includes Mexican (White) Rank Enlisted Man Admission Age 22 Birth Date abt 1922 Admission Date Sep 1944 Discharge Date Dec 1944 Military Branch Infantry, General or Unspecified Diagnosis FirstLocation: Metacarpal bones and Phalanges: Phalanges, generally; CausativeAgent: Bullet, Machine Gun Type of Injury Casualty, battle Medical Treatment Fracture, compound, closed, treatment of, with splints or casts Injured in Line of Duty In line of duty Type of Discharge Duty Length of Service 1 Year(s), 9, 10 OR 11 MONTHS Month(s) Sadly I was unable to locate any record for the Bronze Star, it is likely the wounding took place in France in September of 1944.
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WWII US Army Uniform – 4th Armoured Combat Medic – Tunic – Trousers – Side Cap – Laundry Number – France 1944 / Ardennes 1944
$400.00We were not able to completely confirm the owner of this uniform, it came as one set to us and has period applied insignia and a faint laundry number. Deserves further research. The 4th Armoured Division The division was organized as a full Armored Division in May and June 1942 under the command of Major General John Shirley Wood. It left Pine Camp for Camp Forrest for the Tennessee maneuvers in the Cumberland Mountains held in September and October. In mid-November, it was transferred to the Camp Ibis Desert Training Center (DTC) in the California-Arizona maneuver area and was the first Armored Division to occupy Camp Ibis near Needles, California in the Mojave Desert, which was close to the Arizona and Nevada borders. On 3 June, the 4th AD arrived at Camp Bowie, Texas, an armored training center located in central Texas near Brownwood, for more maneuvers until about December when it departed for Camp Myles Standish in Massachusetts for winter training. On 29 December, the 4th AD departed Boston to conduct training in England in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. France After training in England from January to July 1944, the 4th Armored Division landed at Utah Beach, on 11 July, over a month after the initial Normandy landings, and first entered combat on 17 July; on 28 July, battle action as part of the VIII Corps exploitation force for Operation Cobra, the 4th AD secured the Coutances area. The 4th AD then swung south to take Nantes, cutting off the Brittany Peninsula, 12 August 1944. Turning east, it drove swiftly across France north of the Loire, smashed across the Moselle 11–13 September, flanked Nancy and captured Lunéville, 16 September. The 4th AD fought several German panzergrenadier brigades in the Lorraine area including the SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 49 and SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 51 at this time, defeating a larger German force through superior tactics and training. After maintaining a defensive line, Chambrey to Xanrey to Hénaménil, from 27 September to 11 October, the 4th AD rested briefly before returning to combat 9 November with an attack in the vicinity of Viviers. The 4th AD cleared Bois de Serres, 12 November, advanced through Dieuze and crossed the Saar River, 21–22 November, to establish and expand bridgehead and took Singling and Bining, then Baerendorf 24 November, before being relieved 8 December. The 4th Armored Division received the following unit awards from France: Croix de Guerre with Palm (27–29 July 1944), Croix de Guerre with Palm (12–29 September 1944), and French Fourragere in the colors of the Croix de Guerre. Battle of the Bulge Two days after the Germans launched their Ardennes Offensive, the 4th AD entered the fight (18 December 1944), racing northwest into Belgium, covering 150 miles in 19 hours. The 4th AD, spearheading Patton’s Third Army, attacked the Germans at Bastogne and, on 26 December, was the first unit (Company C, 37th Tank Battalion led the 4th Armored Division column that relieved Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge)[8] to break through at Bastogne and relieve the besieged 101st Airborne Division. Six weeks later the 4th AD jumped off from Luxembourg City in an eastward plunge that carried it across the Moselle River at Trier, south, and east to Worms, and across the Rhine, 24–25 March 1945. Advancing all night, the 4th AD crossed the Main River the next day, south of Hanau, and continued to push on. Lauterbach fell 29 March, Creuzburg across the Werra on 1 April, Gotha on 4 April – where the 4th AD liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp, the first Nazi camp liberated by U.S. troops.[9] By 12 April the 4th AD was across the Saale River. Pursuit of the enemy continued, and by 6 May the division had crossed into Czechoslovakia and established a bridgehead across the Otava River at Strakonice, with forwarding elements at Písek. The 4th AD was reassigned to the XII Corps on 30 April 1945. The 4th AD received the following Letter of Commendation: To: Maj. Gen. Hugh J. Gaffey The outstanding celerity of your movement and the unremitting, vicious and skillful manner in which you pushed the attack, terminating at the end of four days and nights of incessant battle in the relief of Bastogne, constitutes one of the finest chapters in the glorious history of the United States Army. You and the officers and men of your command are hereby commended for a superior performance. Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., Commander, Third U.S. Army The 4th AD’s second commander, Major General John Shirley Wood, (known as “P” Wood to his contemporaries, the “P” standing for “Professor”, and “Tiger Jack” to his men) who took over the division officially on 18 June 1942, trained the 4th Armored Division for two years before he personally led it into combat in France, on 28 July 1944, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. On 1 August, Gen. George Patton’s U.S. Third Army became operational and the 4th AD became the spearhead of the Third Army. The British military armor theorist and historian, Capt. Basil Henry Liddell Hart, once referred to General Wood as “the Rommel of the American armored forces.” Like Rommel, Wood commanded from the front, and preferred staying on the offensive, using speed and envelopment tactics to confuse the enemy. General Wood often utilized a light Piper Cub liaison aircraft flown by his personal pilot, Maj. Charles “Bazooka Charlie” Carpenter, to keep up with his rapidly moving division, sometimes personally carrying corps orders from headquarters directly to his advancing armored columns. On 3 December 1944, General Wood was relieved as division commander. The division was then led by Major General Hugh Gaffey through the Battle of the Bulge until March 23, when Brigadier General William M. Hoge was awarded command. Major General Fay B. Prickett commanded during the occupation period. Major General Archibald R. Kennedy commanded the division after the war. Among the most famous members of the 4th AD during World War II was…
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WWI / WWII British Army Officers Medal Grouping – Major J.B.L Thompson – Royal Engineers – Buckingham Palace Invite 1952 – Family Seal
This is an interesting little tin of memories, it include fine made silver items. As well as a wonderful pictorial history of the Father and Son during both WWI / WWII. This is an interesting find with the Medals and matching Mini set. Seems the son was in Europe at their Uncles grave in France November 1944. Sadly there is not much in terms of research but its clear both Father and Son served. Nice set as its unusual.
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WWI & WWII US Navy Officers Grouping – Lt Commander Herbert P Bearce – Inscribed US Navy Officers Sword – Rare
Grouping to Herbert P Bearce It seems Bearce did considerable travelling to South America in the period after the First World War, his passports are filled with entries, as well as his Mothers and his Wife. Bearce served in WWI in the US Navy, but by 1930 he would join the US Cavalry as a Captain, by the end of WWII he was in the Pacific but this time back in the US Navy. Quite an unusual career, he had a large family with a member with his wife who he met in South America. I have found his name on various ancestry records, but one mentioned 1941 he is stationed in the US Navy in Washington DC. But another shows that in 1925 he was unboard the USS Utah. His wife, child of Louise Osbaldeston VESLY, namely an Alexandra DE VESELY. Alexandra seems to have married a Herbert Potter BEARCE, and in 1937 they announced the birth of a son in the New York Times. The child is described in the birth announcement as a “great-grandson of the late Lord Edwin Osbaldeston, surgeon to Queen Victoria“.. (It also describes Alexandra as “the former Miss Alexandra de Vesely of Vienna” – not clear whether this is Vienna, N.Y. or the Austrian Vienna). Most of the paperwork included are in relation to Alexandra, and their children. Bearce lost a Son in the Vietnam War (Larned Vesely “Reb” Bearce) a Major in the USMC, he was one of the last casualties of the Vietnam War. The letter informing his parents is in the grouping. See more here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143261185/larned-vesely-bearce Bearce finished a book published shortly after the death of his son, titled, Magic of the Mind (See Photos). His USN Naval Officers Dress Sword, Belt and Hanger are in good collecting condition, the sword is inscribed with his name, and his dress tunic displays a wonderful hand made insignia of the USN. The tunic is named on the collar to Bearce. Minimal damage, a few missing buttons. An interesting grouping, and surely worth further research.
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WWII US Air Force B-29 & B-17 Grouping – Gunner and Radar Operator Ray N Jury Jr Purple Heart Sterling Wings Air Medal
$1,850.00Ray N. “Buddy” Jury, Jr According to his Obituary, Born October 9, 1922 in Lancaster, PA, he was the son of the late Ray N. and Molly (Eager) Jury. He was the husband of Arlene J. (Frank) Jury to whom he was married to for 61 years. Mr. Jury was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, serving during World War II on a B29 Bomber as a radar operator in the South Pacific. He worked for 37 years as a machinist model dye maker for the Department of Defense. He enjoyed his hobby of model railroading. The grouping has all his combat flight logs and his blind flying instrument. As well as his Purple Heart and his Air Medal boxed. He fought in the Pacific and would bomb Japan taking unique photos from the Radar when explosions took place, I was unable to find anything quite like this anywhere else on the market. Jury was not only a Radar Operator but would man the 50cal as an air dunner also. His Wings are Sterling Silver, his Purple Heart is not named but it has his period print out with him listed. It seems he was awarded it for a crash on take off on a combat mission.
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WWII Original Pilots Trench Art US Army Air Corps 8th Air Force 55th GP – Lockheed P-38 Lightning – Made from 50cal Ammo by Sgt Royal McShea Jr – Normandy & Ardennes 1944/1945 – Rare
$1,350.00An incredible piece of Trench Art, this was made by the Royal McShea Jr who served with the 55th Fighter Group US AAF. Constituted as 55th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with P-43’s. Redesignated 55th Fighter Group in May 1942. Converted to P-38’s and prepared for combat. Moved to England, Aug-Sep 1943. Assigned to Eighth AF. Began operations with P-38’s on 15 Oct 1943; converted to P-51’s in Jul 1944. Engaged primarily in escorting bombers that attacked such targets as industries and marshalling yards in Germany, and airfields and V-weapon sites in France. Provided cover for B-17’s and B-24’s that bombed aircraft plants during Big Week in Feb 1944, gun emplacements during the St Lo breakthrough in Jul 1944, and transportation facilities during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Also patrolled the air over the Channel and bombed bridges in the Tours area during the invasion of the Continent in Jun 1944; patrolled the Arnhem sector to support the airborne invasion of Holland in Sep 1944; strafed trucks, locomotives, and oil depots near Wesel when the Allies crossed the Rhine in Mar 1945. Received a DUC for eight missions to Germany between 3 and 13 Sep 1944 when the group not only destroyed enemy fighters in the air to protect the bombers it was escorting, but also descended to low levels, in spite of intense antiaircraft fire, to strafe airdromes and to destroy enemy aircraft on the ground. Received second DUC for operations on 19 Feb 1945 when the organization flew a sweep over Germany to hit railway tracks, locomotives, oil cars, goods wagons, troop cars, buildings, and military vehicles. Flew last combat mission on 21 Apr 1945. Moved to Germany in Jul 1945 as part of the occupation forces. Assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Trained with P-51 and P-80 aircraft. Inactivated in Germany on 20 Aug 1946. Sgt Royal McShea made this amazing statue with original decommissioned 50 Cal Ammo. He was part of the ground crew of the 343rd for 2nd Lt. James C. McVey US SALES ONLY – Or contact us with regards to postage.
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WWII US OSS Drop Fighting Knife – Philippines – Original
$475.00An original WWII OSS Fighting Knife for the Philippines – these were made from cut down old stock items just as this one, note the marks on the leather. Free Tracked Shipping – USA ONLY due to international Laws.
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WWII US Army – Hate Belt – German Officers Insignia – Original US Army Bring Back
$595.00Very rare, this item sadly did not stand the test of time on the belt. Although this makes it quite displayable. US Army Bringback
