Interesting posthumous WW2 Marine Purple Heart group on eBay

[Dave]

No idea how long this will last on eBay, but that's not up for discussion.

 

What's a little unusual about the group is that the Marine was WIA on Okinawa, and awarded the Purple Heart. It's the unnamed one in the Navy purple box. Looks to be in really nice shape. He served through the end of the war and was in China when the Japanese surrendered.

 

Fast forward to April 1947, and he was killed in a motor vehicle accident while on terminal leave in Michigan. The interesting part is this...his Purple Heart certificate, along with an officially engraved Purple Heart (though in an Army box) were awarded posthumously (per the accompanying letter) to his family.

 

The remainder of the group for sale belonged to his son, who served in the USAF during the 70s.

 

I've seen groups of awards that belonged to young men who were tragically killed back in the States after living through combat, but this is the first one I can recall seeing where a Purple Heart, officially engraved, was awarded, posthumously, to a fellow who had already received his WIA one during the war.

 

Dave

[kcmo]

I saw the listing as well. I initially thought maybe he DOW in 1947 but your article answers that question. Family requested another one after his death maybe? Thought the price was too high but wasn't sure what a reasonable amount would be on it.

[ajbUSWM]

eBay just pulled the listing. Odd how this Purple Heart was pulled after a few hours and yesterday another Purple Heart completed and sold after a full 7 day listing.

[Dave]

I saw the listing as well. I initially thought maybe he DOW in 1947 but your article answers that question. Family requested another one after his death maybe? Thought the price was too high but wasn't sure what a reasonable amount would be on it.

 

If this were mine, I'd price it around $750-$800. It's a nice, documented WIA Okinawa group, with a slight twist.

[ViewfinderGyrene]

Fascinating, maybe someone will be able to secure it and then post what they find by pulling his file.

 

~VFG

[KASTAUFFER]

This is the first USMC Purple Heart I have seen awarded posthumously under these circumstances. I have seen USN Air Medals and DFCs awarded this way however. I do have an officially named USN DFC to an enlisted man who died in an Aircraft Accident in 1946 and his DFC was awarded officially engraved in 1947 for a 1944 action.

 

Kurt

[scottplen]

I have seen on this forum a posthumous USMC Heart given in Korea for a suicide the recipient was WIA on Okinawa.

[FFZFlyer]

the USAF MoH earned by LTC William A. Jones III on Sept 1, 1968, was awarded posthumously to his widow on Aug 6, 1970, Jones having died in the crash of his private plane on Nov 15, 1969.