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WWI Columbia WIA Certificate and Portrait (33rd Div)


SammyT
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I recently had a lucky find of a WWI Columbia WIA certificate along with the portrait of the 33rd Division veteran. Also included was a period reduced size copy of the WIA certificate as well as the Vet's American Legion cap.

 

The certificate was awarded to Pvt. John Daluski of the 131st Infantry who was wounded in action. I can't tell if he was in Co. G or Co. C due to the calligraphy. The certificate is framed and in the best condition that I've ever seen one of these in.

 

The portrait is of excellent quality and in mint condition and is in what appears to be the original wooden picture frame. The frame has a small chip taken out of it near the top but it does not detract at all from the piece.

 

There is also a reduced size copy of the certificate that measures approximately 8x10 which I'm assuming was framed at one point in time but is now slightly rolled at the right hand side due to being improperly stored at the bottom of a cardboard glove box. Though it is rolled, there is no damage to the copy.

 

Lastly was the veteran's American Legion cap which is in mint condition with no holes or mothing.

 

 

Unfortunately this beautiful grouping is too large for me to display in the allotted room I have for my collection so it is possible this makes it's way to the For Sale area, but I wanted to post it here for others to review.

 

 

Sammy T.

 

 

 

 

 

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Actually, he was assigned to Co E, 131st Inf. He was a draftee from the Pittsburgh, PA area. After basic training he was assigned to the MG Co, 329th Inf, 83rd Div, promoted corporal 11 Jul 1918. The 83rd was designated a depot division, the 329th was one of the three infantry regiments which were broken up and most of the members sent to other divisions as replacements. Daluski was reduced to private on 2 Sep 18 and reassigned to 131st Inf the following day. Thanks to the extensiveness of the PA state archives, there's quite a bit about his brief Army career on Ancestry. He died on 18 Nov 65 (b. 3 Nov 1890). Ironically, his burial plaque shows his earlier rank of corporal and his unit as MG Co, 329th. You're right about the condition of the Columbia accolade.

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3mxd, thanks for the clarification on the company as well as all the background info! It would be interesting to see why he was demoted back to private. I'm assuming that info is lost to time. thanks again.

 

 

Sammy T.

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