E Co. 506th PIR PH (or is it?)

[lettow]

I put this in another post but I am going to make one for itself for discussion.

 

I found this on Ebay last week and pulled the trigger on the Buy It Now after doing minimal research and not looking very closely at the pictures in the listing. (If it is too good to be true it probably is, right?)

 

The name is listed as a member of E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry with a date of death of June 7, 1944. I found no other person by this name in the army during WWII.

 

The medal is a modern, crimp broach marked G-GI. It came with a WWII period single line box with lapel pin and modern ribbon. Also included was a forwarding card from General Witsell, the Acting Adjutant General.

 

My understanding is that the engraving is consistent with recent government machine engraving. So, either someone asked the government for a replacement of the original (and put it with the original box and card) or someone with a machine engraver similar to the one the government uses did this and married it up with a period box and card to give it legitimacy.

 

Discuss. But be kind.

 

 

 

 

[tarbridge]

A hundred stories could be interpreted but basically, an incorrect marriage of a early box and a late medal.

[BigJohn#3RD]

I agree with Robert. This is a current day PH, not as good as the older ones, lost bidder must have gotten the contract for the current run of Purple Hearts. And don’t take that the wrong way when compared to past runs of American decorations and campaign medals they look like cheap junk and are I believe a disservice to the service men and women that the United States is supposed to be honoring. The engraving style (not the best picture) seems to be current engraving, may be someone has a similar engraver and knocking out PH to pass off as original. But the PH could be a reissue to someone in the family or someone claiming to be next of kin but your guess is as good as mine. Hope you did not pay too much for it.

[lettow]

The tuition was high but not too much.

[Kadet]

I think this medal "is what it it".....a modern government re issue to a D Day paratrooper in a very famous unit. I personally like the more modern medals, despite their significantly lower quality and value. This medal is also part of his story. Were it mine I would request his IDPF. If a relative requested this medal, the paperwork is probably in the file and would add provenance. Give these modern WWII reissues time. They will eventually increase in stature in the same way the 1957 reissue TR awards have.

[lettow]

Is a request for a medal that was made sometime in the last 20 years going to be in an IDPF from WWII?

[Kadet]

Perhaps, or it may be in his service record. I have found both with very modern correspondence

[Medalman90]

I hear you Lettow. A few months back I bought a Modern Army GCM engraved to a 101st Glider Trooper.