KASTAUFFER Posted January 17, 2019 Share #1 Posted January 17, 2019 This medal was purchased by me at the SOS in 2018 and the seller informed me it was a WWI Purple Heart. My instincts told me that it was more likely an early award for WWII. The medal is from the 1939 Metal Arts contract, however a number of these were presented for early WWII actions. The number range was right for WWII and Pearl Harbor as well. My instincts proved correct. It turned out to be a holy grail item for my collection . It is a Meritorious Service Purple Heart for the Pearl Harbor attack December 7, 1941 at Hickam Field. It is not for wounds. Meritorious service Purple Hearts are much more common for WWI actions (4000-5000 awards). For WWII they are virtually impossible to find. There are less than 300 awards known to have been presented in the 1941-42 time period. Id like to thank my friend Jessie Higa, a Historian at Hickam, for finding the General Order!!!!! Swan's name is slightly misspelled on the medal but there is no doubt it is his. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted January 17, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted January 17, 2019 Share #3 Posted January 17, 2019 OUTSTANDING Medal, Kurt! Congrats, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted January 17, 2019 OUTSTANDING Medal, Kurt! Congrats, Bob Thanks Bob! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted January 17, 2019 Share #5 Posted January 17, 2019 Wow Kurt, fantastic find. But I thought there were only around 1500 MSCC PH's for WW1? Did the number get raised or is my info incorrect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted January 17, 2019 Wow Kurt, fantastic find. But I thought there were only around 1500 MSCC PH's for WW1? Did the number get raised or is my info incorrect? The higher number is the total of Pershing MSCC's awarded. Your number would be more accurate as far as the medal count would go ( IE medals actually issued). Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted January 18, 2019 Share #7 Posted January 18, 2019 Kurt, An amazing find...congratulations! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted January 18, 2019 Share #8 Posted January 18, 2019 Very nice ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted January 18, 2019 Share #9 Posted January 18, 2019 Kurt, Excellent instincts on your part! It is an incredible find, but the writeup sounds almost worthy of a Silver Star based on the fact that the LT was under fire during the attack. He must have POed someone in the food chain. Just my observations from the cheap seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted January 18, 2019 Share #10 Posted January 18, 2019 Source: https://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/armymuseum/Menus/1937_11MedRegStaHos.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted January 18, 2019 Share #11 Posted January 18, 2019 Source: Army-Navy-Air Force Register and Defense Times, Volume 68 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted January 18, 2019 Share #12 Posted January 18, 2019 Publication: The Evening Times Location: Sayre, Pennsylvania Issue Date: Tuesday, August 21, 1934 Page: Page 6 Staff Sergeant Ervin D. Swan, Jr., and family of Portland, Me., have returned to their home after visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ervin D. Swan Sr., of South Waverly. They were accompanied to Cumberland, Md., and Niagara Falls by his parents. Sergeant Swan is serving with the medical corps of the U. S. Army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted January 18, 2019 Share #13 Posted January 18, 2019 Biloxi Daily Herald Newspaper Archives Wednesday, January 23, 1946 - Page 3 The Gulfport Army recruiting sub-station at the post office today announced the following enlistments in the regular Army: Ervin D. Swan, 49, Avalon Court, Biloxi, and formerly of Exeter, NH, re-enlisted in the Army Air Forces as a master sergeant for a three-year "hitch." He first entered the Army in January, 1915, and was placed on inactive status January 22, 1945, with the rank of major. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered at Hickam Field in the Pearl Harbor attack. He also served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted January 18, 2019 Share #14 Posted January 18, 2019 Source: Fold3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted January 18, 2019 Share #15 Posted January 18, 2019 Source: Fold3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted January 18, 2019 Share #16 Posted January 18, 2019 Source: FamilySearch.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decwriter Posted January 18, 2019 Share #17 Posted January 18, 2019 Great find Kurt and with everybody weighing in on the post, you have more information to keep with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicjoy1945 Posted January 18, 2019 Share #18 Posted January 18, 2019 An exceptional story and medal !!! Beautiful history Kurt !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted January 18, 2019 Share #19 Posted January 18, 2019 WOW! Great medal Kurt. And also great research. Here is a Meritorious Service Purple Heart for WW1 to compare. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devildog34 Posted January 18, 2019 Share #20 Posted January 18, 2019 Absolutely impressive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris3bs Posted January 18, 2019 Share #21 Posted January 18, 2019 What a nice find even without the history. The box, award, and dogtag. Hard to find these all together. Congrats Kurt.. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted January 18, 2019 Share #22 Posted January 18, 2019 Well Done Kurt, I wish I had the names to match up with this 11th Medical yardlong posted here. Swan may be one of the men in this July 1940 photograph. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/319891-pineapple-army-11th-medical-regiment-hawaiian-division-1922-1941/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share #23 Posted January 18, 2019 Source: https://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/armymuseum/Menus/1937_11MedRegStaHos.pdf Thanks for all the information! The one thing I hadn't found before was this menu. It is pretty cool. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted January 18, 2019 Share #24 Posted January 18, 2019 Thanks for all the information! The one thing I hadn't found before was this menu. It is pretty cool. Kurt You're welcome. You have a really great grouping. Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otter42 Posted January 19, 2019 Share #25 Posted January 19, 2019 Great job Kurt, never cease to amaze me with your intuition! Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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