bobgee Posted August 17, 2019 Share #1 Posted August 17, 2019 I noted Dave's post on DSC#17 and was thinking of taking some pics of my lowest numbered Cross when bertmedals posted his newly found pics of the recipient of my medal, Phm 3rd Class Fred C.Schaffner. Schaffner was serving with the 74th Company, 6th Marines in the Verdun sector on April 13th, 1918 when the unit was attacked by a massive German gas attack. More than 40 Marines were killed and the remainder of the company rendered ineffective as a result. Schaffner, suffering from gas poisoning, rendered heroic service, refusing evacuation until he could no longer serve. He died on April 18th in a French hospital. He was 18 years old. It appears that Schaffner was the first Navy corpsman to die in action in WWI and the first to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Following WWI, the Navy convened a Board to consider decorations to be awarded. In almost every case where a Marine or Navy corpsman had been awarded the Army DSC they received a Navy Cross for the same action. For some reason, they did not award Schaffner the Navy Cross but rather a Special Letter of Commendation which was sent to his Next of Kin accompanied by a Silver Star device. In the photos below you can see two small Silver Star devices in the case, along with three DSC ribbon bars, as found. Please see the attached post by bertmedals for Schaffner's photos and grave marker in Ohio. Through the kindness of Dennis the photos are on the way to be to be made part of the Schaffner group. This is another wonderful coincidence of fate. Soon after I obtained this group in 2012 I had a converstion with a fellow collector in Massachusetts and mentioned my acquisition. He surprised me by telling me he had owned Schaffner's Pershing DSC certificate and had sold it to another collector in Virginia whom I also knew. I contacted him and was able to obtain the certificate which now hangs above my desk as I write this. I will be pleased to add his pics in a day or two. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/331525-a-chance-discovery-courageous-navy-corpsman-dsc/ Semper Fi - Rest in Peace, Doc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warguy Posted August 17, 2019 Share #2 Posted August 17, 2019 What a wonderful and rare medal Bob thanks for sharing. Look forward to seeing his pic and the certificate. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted August 17, 2019 Share #3 Posted August 17, 2019 AMAZING!!!! I can't wait to see everything together. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted August 17, 2019 Share #4 Posted August 17, 2019 Great post...Superb... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted August 17, 2019 Share #5 Posted August 17, 2019 Beautiful medal, well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted August 17, 2019 Through the courtesy and camera expertise of Devildog34 who's visiting my C.P, here's the DSC cerificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mes Posted August 17, 2019 Share #7 Posted August 17, 2019 Bob Amazing how you were able to bring this historic group all together again. Well done. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmedals Posted August 18, 2019 Share #8 Posted August 18, 2019 Bob, Thanks for posting the photos and adding to Phm 3rd Class Schaffer's story. The gas attack on the 6th Marines and Schaffner's herorism is a little known story and in many ways explains the significance of the often under appreciated "Defensive Sector" bar on the Victory Medal. I'm glad his memory is being well served. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted August 18, 2019 Share #9 Posted August 18, 2019 Wonderful..! Many thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted August 18, 2019 Share #10 Posted August 18, 2019 Bob I saw that photo and your reply....small world! Great to now his legacy is well cared for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted August 20, 2019 Share #11 Posted August 20, 2019 RIP Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted August 21, 2019 "Doc" Schaffner's photos have arrived and are reunited with his D.S.C. Again, thanks to bertmedals on this Forum for finding, researching & displaying them. And of course being willing to pass them on. Here is 17 year old Pharmacists Mate 3d Class Fred Charles Schaffner USN probably home on leave just after 'boot camp'. He was assigned to the Marines and shipped out to France in September 1917. Annotations on the reverse are vintage and my guess is that they were made in 1918/19 as he is shown buried at St. Mihiel. Here is his current grave marker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted August 21, 2019 Share #13 Posted August 21, 2019 Bob, that's superb bit of history to a brave young man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted August 21, 2019 Share #14 Posted August 21, 2019 Bob, An amazing and historic group! Thank you for sharing the images and his story! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warguy Posted August 22, 2019 Share #15 Posted August 22, 2019 Spectacular Bob, thanks for posting the additional photos. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted August 22, 2019 Share #16 Posted August 22, 2019 Bob fantastic! Really rounds out the group! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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