KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Share #1 Posted August 17, 2012 This is an interesting posthumous US Navy AM/PH pair I have had for a while awarded to an ARM2c from Composite Squadron Six serving on the USS Tripoli . He was KIA Sept 28, 1944 while attacking a German U-boat ( U-219 ) in the Atlantic . His plane was the last US Aircraft to be shot down by a U-boat in WWII . One of the interesting things I liked about this group is the lack of a date engraved on the Air Medal. The policy was to engrave the date of the action that was on the citation. His temporary citation did not have a date on it , but the permanant citation did! The AM was issued before the permanant citation was issued to his family , thus the AM was engraved with no date. It is the first one like this I have seen that was issued 1945 or earlier with no date. This group came in a scrapbook his mother kept, and the medals were pinned to a pad in the back. All of the paperwork was saved as well. Here are pics of the medals and some of the paperwork: Here is some info on the attack of U-219 http://uboat.net/boats/u219.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted August 17, 2012 The Air Medal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted August 17, 2012 The Purple Heart ( Type II ) Wrap Brooch . It was issued to his family on July 2, 1945 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted August 17, 2012 The Permanant Citation for his Air Medal ( with the date ) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted August 17, 2012 The temporary citation ( without the date ) . It also dates the issue of the medal to @ Feb 1945 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted August 17, 2012 The condolance letter from his skipper . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted August 17, 2012 The Radioman from his squadron . I love the gear shots! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted August 17, 2012 Condolance letter from Adm. Fitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted August 17, 2012 Here is the original transmittal letter for the Purple Heart medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted August 17, 2012 And here is the condolance letter from Secretary Of The Navy Forrestal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted August 17, 2012 Share #11 Posted August 17, 2012 Kurt, This is a great group! I love the ones that come from the family, the Moms seem to always have such a special way of keeping their son's paperwork and medals together, and neatly organized! A Mother's Love is like no other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted August 17, 2012 Share #12 Posted August 17, 2012 An amazing group, congrats on the find! Philip :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DakotaDave Posted August 17, 2012 Share #13 Posted August 17, 2012 Kurt Very nice well documented group, not often found to Atlantic ASW personnel, as always beautifully engraved. DakotaDave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted August 17, 2012 Share #14 Posted August 17, 2012 Exceptional grouping for a rare event. Couldn't have been too many planes taken out by a submarine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary B Posted August 17, 2012 Share #15 Posted August 17, 2012 Kurt, A wonderful group. Thanks for showing. Naval Avn PHs are quite rare and to find a complete grouping like this is unheard of. Gary B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devildog34 Posted August 17, 2012 Share #16 Posted August 17, 2012 Another amazing group Kurt. Nice testament to a brave warrior. Semper Fi, Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted August 17, 2012 Share #17 Posted August 17, 2012 Great Stuff!! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted August 17, 2012 Share #18 Posted August 17, 2012 Super group! Excellent paperwork with it as well that really adds to the group. The unusual circumstance makes this a very rare group! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted August 17, 2012 Share #19 Posted August 17, 2012 Another great group Kurt, I thought that they weren't taking the time to do the beautiful engraving at this point [7/45]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-o MSU Posted August 17, 2012 Share #20 Posted August 17, 2012 What a great group Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted August 17, 2012 Share #21 Posted August 17, 2012 Never disappointed looking at the threads that you post! Beautiful group! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerialbridge Posted August 17, 2012 Share #22 Posted August 17, 2012 Beautiful group and interesting anomaly of the undated air medal. Kudos for preserving and sharing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted August 17, 2012 Share #23 Posted August 17, 2012 A simply amazing group! Wow! -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted August 17, 2012 Share #24 Posted August 17, 2012 Hi Kurt, I hope you're doing well. I've always enjoyed the glimpses you've give us into your collection, and this outstanding group is no exception! I can only echo my fellow Forum members comments...it is truly awesome and inspiring...the awards and the documentation. Thank you for consistently honoring and sharing the stories of those who served. Best wishes!' Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1944Ike Posted August 18, 2012 Share #25 Posted August 18, 2012 Outstanding grouping. The U-219 was a XB boat [minelaying] only a handful was made. This boat had either the twin or quad 20mm anti-aircraft guns. [deadly] Many a P-47 pilot was lost to these guns! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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