Four-star General Deane's Retirement DSM

[Dave]

I don't normally pick up modern awards, or non-posthumous awards, but this was a BIN on eBay and I thought it would be pretty cool to own (at least for a short time!)

 

This is the Distinguished Service Medal to General John Deane Jr who had an amazing career spanning from WW2 through Vietnam. Highlights of his career include serving as the Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Infantry Division in the early years of the Vietnam War and later as Commanding General of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Later assignments included CG of the 82nd Airborne Division, Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and finally as CG of the US Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command.

During the course of his career, he earned two Distinguished Service Crosses, three DSMs, three Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with V, Purple Heart, and 25 Air Medals.

 

This Distinguished Service Medal was presented to him upon his retirement from the Army in 1977. It's officially engraved to him on the reverse of the medal and the miniature is engraved with his initials. The lady selling this medal had been given it by a friend of hers who did a shed clean out about three years ago. She hung onto it, planning on giving it as a gift to a friend, but that never happened, so she put it on eBay. Sadly, she did say that the friend who did the shed clean out had "lots of other medals" from the shed, but their whereabouts are currently unknown.

 

Enjoy!

Dave

 

 

[Dave]

And here's a reverse of the mini medal. I've only seen the initials engraved on these a handful of times.

[CNY Militaria]

Very nice pickup Dave! Another member has his uniform:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/286960-general-deane/?hl=deane

[Dave]

That's pretty cool, Justin! got to say that's a beautiful uniform!

[dskjl]

Nice grab Dave, let me know if you part with it, I would love to put it with his uniform and docs.

[dskjl]

The Medal has been reunited withe the Uniform group.

 

Thanks Dave, I appreciate your willingness to part with it.