Jump to content

Coolest USMC group


Hessian
 Share

Recommended Posts

I picked this up from a fellow forum member. I don't think it's been posted before, if it has I apologize. That said, I felt that this grouping NEEDED to be shared due to the multiple layers of it that will appeal to almost all USMC collectors.

 

I'm still researching the details of his service but this is a rough sketch...

 

This Marine was in pre-war China, then does the 1939-41 Byrd Antarctic Expedition (!) WW2 then Korea where he becomes a POW. I've never personally owned (nor seen) such a diverse grouping which spans so many areas of interest (China, Byrd Expedition, POW and WW2/Korea). Just amazing. Also Bronze Star w/V, Navy Comm with V, and four Purple Hearts.

 

The China album is fantastic... The silk embroidered cover is beautiful. Great photos throughout including some of the usual Japanese atrocities as well as great China Marine shots, uniforms, formations etc. Korean era album is also nice and I also have a digital copy of the Byrd Expedition album (the family kept the original). To top it off, this Marine also has a mountain range named after him.

 

Check out the ribbon rack... The Antarctic Expedition ribbon really jumps out at you. I'm humbled to be the caretaker of this great set.

post-4618-0-03097100-1412712187.jpg

post-4618-0-79910100-1412712187.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, thanks for sharing! Awesome grouping. And I don't normally give this compliment here on the Forum, but what a great rack! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
  • 3 years later...
aerialbridge

Criminy! I never expected to see LTC Felix Ferranto's dress blue uniform and ribbon bars!! Super coolest- like winter in Antarctica in the 30's. One of 60 US Antarctic Service Expedition Gold Medal recipients. Radioman for the fabled Snow Cruiser. Korean war POW for 34 months. "In an attempt to electrocute a North Korean major, he reportedly rigged a radio. The effort was unsuccessful, leading to prolonged solitary confinement. For 34 months, while struggling to survive in Korean War prison camps, Felix Ferranto recited the Lord's Prayer daily and dreamed of being free."

 

 

UNBELIEVABLE and PRICELESS history.............man. Whoever is the caretaker of this uniform-- what a supreme and humbling honor.

 

Bio of a bona fide Marine Hero- God bless him and keep him.

 

 

https://old.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=72466677

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...
SemperParatus

Just browsing through past topics and having been to the Big Icebox twice I am always interested to see any polar related material. This is only the second group I have seen with this particular Antarctic medal included. Truly a great group to be caretaker of..well done!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

aerialbridge

I never get tired of seeing that uniform and "coolest" ribbon rack. The Sistine Blue Antarctic ribbon stands out like an iceberg. It would be great to see his medal group, particularly the hand-engraved, Gold Antarctic 1939-41 USAS Expedition, but I'd guess they are with his kids or grand-kids. I believe there are a grand total of 2 USMC groups that would have that ribbon-- Ferranto and Ted Petras.

 

https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/1994/05/ted-petras-born-fly

 

 

Admiral Richard E. Byrd with members of the Snow Cruiser crew. Chicago, October, 1939. Pictured left to right, Corporal Felix Louis Ferranto, USMC, radio operator; Dr. F. Alton Wade, senior scientist and second in command of the Snow Cruiser; Admiral Richard E. Byrd, USN; Chief Machinist Mate C. L. Meyer, USN, Machinist; Dr. Thomas C. Poulter, of the Armour Institute, designer of the Snow Cruiser.

 

The crew of the Snow Cruiser photographed in Antarctica on September 20, 1940. From left, C.W. Griffith, diesel mechanic; F. Alton Wade, comm.; Felix L. Ferranto, radio operator; and T.A. Petras, pilot of the Snow Cruiser plane.

post-18406-0-07590700-1533788491.jpg

post-18406-0-55479900-1533816491_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 years later...

Still trying to track down where this uniform went. I have reason to believe the uniform and albums have been separated, curious where both ended up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Brig said:

Still trying to track down where this uniform went. I have reason to believe the uniform and albums have been separated, curious where both ended up.

That would be quite sad. As with every hobby, there are always those who are willing to destroy an historical group to make a few extra bucks. Ultimately, not worth it.

 

This is quite an impressive grouping. Out of curiosity, why would there not be a POW ribbon on his uniform? I'm assuming that it came out long after this Marine would have been serving?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...