KASTAUFFER Posted January 4, 2015 Share #1 Posted January 4, 2015 This is a "double set" of medals to a WWII Veteran. His original WWII set of medals is present and so is another duplicate set issued to him most likely in the 1980s.The WWII Bronze Star is officially Hand Engraved with a V , and the Purple Heart is #d 162693 . The CIB is a SCARCE 2 PIECE badge and is marked sterling. One of the 6th Division patches is felt (pre-WWII) and the other WWII vintage . The DIs are from the 1st Infantry Regiment and one of them is a PLASTIC Wolf Brown screwback DI. Everything in the tray was removed from an old frame. The medals in the tray have had the pins removed. The medals in the medal cases have not because they were never mounted. NONE of the WWII insignia has had pins removed. They are 100% intact .It appears he was an enlisted man in the 6th Division who later became a mustang being promoted to an officer. His Obit gives some details. I would be willing to bet he was a pre-WWII member of the 6th Division and stayed with them for the entire war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted January 4, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted January 4, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted January 4, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted January 4, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted January 4, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted January 4, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted January 5, 2015 One Purple Heart is named ( the one from the 80's ), the WWII medal is numbered .Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #9 Posted January 5, 2015 I have his complete service file, I picked up several years ago, he was a very brave man. He also had a son who was KIA in Vietnam; so when you consider all that Freeman when thru in WW2, having risen in the ranks from buck Private to Tech SGT and then getting a Battle Field Commission it must have been a very sad time for his family. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share #10 Posted January 5, 2015 John I would LOVE to see his Bronze Star citation. Post it if you can, Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #11 Posted January 5, 2015 Kurt, Per your request: Freeman’s Bronze Star Medal for Valor as well as a picture of him when he came in the Army. Looks like he started out in the Army Air Corp. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #12 Posted January 5, 2015 Here is his order for the CIB and PH with OLC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #13 Posted January 5, 2015 Here are Freeman’s Promotion Order to 2nd Lt. Notice He has two sets, first set is signed by LTG Krueger and the second set by General MacArthur. I did not know that the process was so complicated back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #14 Posted January 5, 2015 Here is a document issuing Freeman Bronze Star Medal with V Device for Valor, and his Good Cookie Medal. Looks like he did not request a PH nor the BSM (1st OLC )for CIB Conversion though he could have gotten both of them. It is amazing that the War Department still does not have enough Pacific Campaign Medals nor WW2 Victory Medals to issue him one at the time. I’m assuming that the BSM with the group is the one they issued him in 47 and the PH is the first one he received when WIA in 44 or 45. I just noticed also that it looks like he requested his medals back on 10 August 1946. As we used to say “Nuttin is Too Good For The Troops N Thats What They Get... Nuttin” looks like some things never change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #15 Posted January 5, 2015 This is the most heart breaking document in the group and it is one that too many American Families receive in every conflict. It most have been devastating to Freeman Clyde Moses Ridgway ON THE WALL: Panel 12E Line 76 Home of Record Rosamond, CA Date of birth: 08/23/1946 Service: Army of the United States Grade at loss: E4 Rank/Rate: Specialist Four MOS/RATING: 11B20: Infantryman Length Service: 01 Unit: C CO, 2ND BN, 18TH INFANTRY, 1ST INF DIV, USARV CASUALTY DATA: Start Tour: 05/02/1966 Incident Date: 11/15/1966 Casualty Date: 11/15/1966 Age at Loss: 20 Location: Province not reported, South Vietnam Remains: Body recovered Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright Casualty Reason: Ground casualty Casualty Detail: Multiple fragmentation wounds URL: www.VirtualWall.org/dr/RidgwayCM01a.htm This page Copyright© 1997-2013 www.VirtualWall.org GOD BLESS AMERICA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starikurac Posted January 5, 2015 Share #16 Posted January 5, 2015 Great to see this grouping coming all together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #17 Posted January 5, 2015 I forgot how detailed his file is; ere is the Recommendation For Commission from Freeman’s Company Commander that was endorsed by his Battalion Commander. He should have received a medal for this action as well but often the case in WW2 the commissioning is in-itself the reward for the action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #18 Posted January 5, 2015 Here is a V-Mail sent to his Aunt in Texas, talks about an Enemy Ambush that his unit conducted . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #19 Posted January 5, 2015 Here is a Poem that someone sent him, may have been his Aunt in Texas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 5, 2015 Share #20 Posted January 5, 2015 Here is a final VMail explaining how Freeman got hit in the head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted January 5, 2015 Share #21 Posted January 5, 2015 This was an awesome thread to follow- such a great group that is coming back together under an excellent caretaker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogi Posted January 5, 2015 Share #22 Posted January 5, 2015 I'm really glad to see that this one found the right home perfect timing too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share #23 Posted January 5, 2015 This group will soon be in John's hands! Putting this group back together was important. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted January 5, 2015 Share #24 Posted January 5, 2015 Wonderful collecting story! Congrats, John .......Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 6, 2015 Share #25 Posted January 6, 2015 Kyle, Rogi, and Bob, Thank you all very much for the complements. I look forward to putting a display together medals, documents and all. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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