tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Share #1 Posted June 2, 2011 First off, this group is NOT FOR SALE But, it just arrived in the mail today, so I thought I'd share one of the coolest groups to come to me in a while: SSgt Paul F. Hemmelgarn served with VMF-211 during the defense of Wake Island. SSgt Hemmelgarn became a POW and was imprisoned in both Shanghai and Osaka. On the night of June 5, 1945, an American fire bombing mission struck Osaka POW Camp, and after serving almost 4 1/2 years as a POW, SSGT Hemmelgarn was killed in action. Lot's of pics, so bear with me. First up, Hemmelgarn's posthumous Purple Heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted June 2, 2011 His Marine Expeditionary Medal, with Wake Island Bar, numbered M.No. 9948 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted June 2, 2011 Marine Corps death/discharge certificate: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted June 2, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted June 2, 2011 His other medals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted June 2, 2011 KIA telegram Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted June 2, 2011 transmittal letter for PUC ribbon and Marine Expeditionary medal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted June 2, 2011 Vandegrift condolence letter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted June 2, 2011 Letter to his family, right before the fall of Wake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted June 2, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted June 2, 2011 Some POW mail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted June 2, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted June 2, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted June 2, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted June 2, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted June 2, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted June 2, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted June 2, 2011 A huge pile of stuff, way too much to post here: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #19 Posted June 2, 2011 More pics and docs here, in case anyone is interested: https://picasaweb.google.com/TJLane.photo/P...feat=directlink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted June 2, 2011 Share #20 Posted June 2, 2011 Unbelievable grouping. To have survived so long in a Japanese prison camp then be killed a few months before the end of the war. I am at a loss for words. ....Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicjoy1945 Posted June 2, 2011 Share #21 Posted June 2, 2011 Unbelievable grouping. To have survived so long in a Japanese prison camp then be killed a few months before the end of the war. I am at a loss for words. ....Kat Very, very tragic story...imagine the heartbreak his family must have gone through. Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted June 2, 2011 Share #22 Posted June 2, 2011 Tom.That is one Fine USMC group.Top Shelf for sure.Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted June 2, 2011 Share #23 Posted June 2, 2011 Tom: A very moving group....thank you for sharing this with us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted June 2, 2011 Share #24 Posted June 2, 2011 Now I am impressed. After all the groups that have been posted over the years, this one is a knock out. Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emccomas Posted June 2, 2011 Share #25 Posted June 2, 2011 Tom.... Astonishing, both the story and the group. How do you find these incredible slices of American history (I don't expect you to really answer that)? Thank you so much for sharing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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