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Restore a Silver Star KIA's Blouse or Leave Alone


kklinejr
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In searching through piles of older blouses to do name checks, I found one stamp ID'd to CT Frey. Looking in the sleeves I could see the outline of the SSI that was once there and that corporal stripes had been there as well. After punching in everything I could, Corporal Clarence T. Frey, Company C, 1/28, 5th MarDiv printed out. In looking at the SSI, it is most certainly a 5th MarDiv patch. In doing some other cursory research, Frey was a Paramarine with the 3/1 Para Regiment before he was transferred to the 3/28. On March 13 he received a gsw to the neck and died of his wounds the next day. He was also posthumously awarded the Silver Star for actions on 10 March 1945 at Iwo jima. His citation:

 

Frey, Clarence T., Corporal, "C" Co, 1st Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, USMC

Rifleman, Third Squad, First Platoon.

 

Awarded the Silver Star – “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a platoon leader of a Marine battalion on Iwo Jima, Volcano Island s, on 10 March 1945. When his platoon leader was killed, Corporal Frey assumed command and vigorously pushed the attack towards the objective, which was an enemy held ridge to the front, until the platoon was pinned down by heavy machine-gun fire coming from an enemy pillbox on the right flank. Working his way to the pillbox and attacking it with hand grenades, he silenced it, killing five of the enemy before being severely wounded himself. His actions so inspired his men that they pushed on to the objective, routing the enemy from their stronghold.

 

I would think this blouse, unfortunately like thousands of unclaimed others, would have been stripped down for reissue, maybe I'm wrong (this was purchased from a collector who obtained a group of these from a movie house). Here's the issue: do I get it restored to its original configuration (I'd have to find a professional restorer to do it as I can't sew) or leave it as is knowing it was probably stripped down for a reason? I try to be a purest, but I would also like to have this piece back to where it once was. Any comments?

 

Thank you,

Ken

 

 

Below is the outline of the 5th MarDiv shield.

post-99-1341587353.jpg

post-99-1341587365.jpg

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carbinephalen

Restore Restore Restore! :thumbsup:

 

IMHO you are doing an injustice to history NOT putting it back the way he would have worn it home from the war.

 

If you ever sell it though just make sure the new owner knows of your resto efforts!

 

What a find!!!

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Squad leader

That's not an easy decision, but if I was you i would resewn the SSI and chevrons as the original.

It's just a restoration. Would you hesitate if it was a Jeep or any other WWII vehicles.

IMOH, it's a very good way to honor and preserve the memory and sacrifice of this marine.

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

Dan.

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Rakkasan187

For every uniform that remains unrestored, there is one less story of service and sacrifice that can tell the story of a veteran no longer with us...

 

Just my humble opinion, I would restore it..

 

Leigh..

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carbinephalen

I'm sure the forum members here could definitely help you out with coming up with the insignia and ribbons needed. The hardest to find will be the Navy/Marine Sized SSM and PHM. But they are out there!!

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Looks like the vote is for restoration. I will restore the blouse as he would have last worn it, so I wouldn't need the SSM, but I'll have to write away for his records to check on what he was awarded previous to Iwo. Thank you all for your comments!

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Maybe it is just me but to my eyes the outline of the SSI does NOT look like a 5th MarDiv SSI. The outline has a center point, similar to what the older MAW SSI's had, and not the arched top like a 5th MarDiv SSI had. Compare the photos below:

 

post-569-1341602419.jpg post-569-1341602714.jpg post-569-1341602720.jpg

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Jack's Son

With all the good reasons to restore it, you really can't find a reason not to. As Liegh points out, you will be doing history a disservice.

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With all the good reasons to restore it, you really can't find a reason not to. As Liegh points out, you will be doing history a disservice.

 

 

Unless of course it wasn't his!

 

I would think the 3rd MAC or the 5th MAC SSIs would also be applicable to the design. And, there is also another Marine who served in WW2 with those same initials - Charles T Frey. Unless you can prove that this was really his uniform I would suggest leaving it alone.

 

 

post-569-1341604258.jpg post-569-1341604263.jpg

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Unless of course it wasn't his!

 

I would think the 3rd MAC or the 5th MAC SSIs would also be applicable to the design. And, there is also another Marine who served in WW2 with those same initials - Charles T Frey. Unless you can prove that this was really his uniform I would suggest leaving it alone.

post-569-1341604258.jpg post-569-1341604263.jpg

 

Agreed. I saw the Charles T. Frey, but it seemed his service was in the early 1950s...I guess my mind had "crossed" him out as an option. I see your point on the stitch design and thought about that as well. It is difficult to determine if the piece was a shield or a mis-shapen stitch. Tough to say and tough to prove conclusively. Your point is well taken. Thank you.

 

Ken

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I say restore...the patch could have been from an earlier/later owner, not necessarily something that needs to be part of the restoration. I am currently working on a restoration myself, quite addictive! If you're too much of a purist I'd be interested in taking up the project, or will help where I can. Currently chasing quite a few ribbons for my own restore, but collar emblems I have on hand, possibly the marksmanship badge

 

as for sewing...professional restorer? Hardly, any base tailor shop can handle it, they sew chevrons on alpha sleeves all the time. In fact, my own blouse is at the shop having my second hash mark sewn on. I'd be happy to consult them for you

 

I'd look into the Charles T possibility and see what units he was with

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Unless of course it wasn't his!

 

I would think the 3rd MAC or the 5th MAC SSIs would also be applicable to the design. And, there is also another Marine who served in WW2 with those same initials - Charles T Frey. Unless you can prove that this was really his uniform I would suggest leaving it alone.

post-569-1341604258.jpg post-569-1341604263.jpg

 

Yep! and herein is the problem with uniform restorations. Especially without conclusive evidence that it belonged to the SSM guy.

 

Are you also planning to write in black marker somewhere in the lining that this current configuration was restored by you in 2012?

 

It is all well intentioned, but then in it leaves you ......

 

Just another perspective.

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could stamp it in the sleeve with a modern marking kit stamper...very similar to the ones used then

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teufelhunde.ret
I'd look into the Charles T possibility and see what units he was with

I took a look into the WW2 rolls, simply no other "C.T." variations served during the war period. It's him alright, the only mystery is the patch, too many rolls missing to know his movements. For sure his record from St. Louis will clear that up...

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