Old Marine Posted June 3, 2011 Share #51 Posted June 3, 2011 There is not much else I can say that hasn't been said already. But this is a really historic and heartbreaking group. I am so glad to see that it's in your custody and will be preserved. Thanks for posting this and allowing us to see this. Thanks Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1perazzi Posted June 3, 2011 Share #52 Posted June 3, 2011 A stunning grouping. Top notch Thanks for showing :twothumbup: :bravo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted June 6, 2011 Share #53 Posted June 6, 2011 Don't know what else to say other than fantastic and thanks for sharing! :thumbsup: Never have seen a Wake Island USMC group this complete. Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 7, 2011 Share #54 Posted June 7, 2011 S/Sgt Hemmelgarn's remains were laid to rest at the National Cemetary of the Pacific in Hawaii (also known as the punchbowl). I was able to find a photo of his headstone. I go to Hawaii once a year, and on my next trip, I will pay my respects. Many of you know about my interest in posthumous groups and POW history. Many of the threads I have copmpleted on this forum have been devoted to POWs. I have been looking for a Wake Island grouping for a long time, and Tom was able to work with me to acquire this grouping. Hemmelgarn is also from my home state of Washington. It fits both of my interests. I feel very fortunate to have acquired this group thanks to Tom. Many years back I helped Tom acquire the D-Day Omaha Beach Navy Cross grouping he owns and has posted on this forum before. Sometimes it takes more than a checkbook to find and acquire groups like this. Friendships and helping each other out is also a factor. I will continue the work Tom started on researching this group and will add more to the thread as I find it, Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 18, 2011 Share #55 Posted June 18, 2011 Here is the memorial accolade which was not pictured before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 18, 2011 Share #56 Posted June 18, 2011 Original copy of the PUC Citation for Wake Island Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APO472 Posted June 28, 2011 Share #57 Posted June 28, 2011 Simply amazing in so many ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmccole Posted July 13, 2021 Share #58 Posted July 13, 2021 Hi Tom I am a researcher/writer for StoriesBehindTheStars.org. This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen. Paul Francis Hemmelgarn has been assigned to me. What a marvelous collection you have of his memorabilia. I am writing you to ask permission to use your photos of his medals and letters in the story I am writing about him. This story will be posted on Togetherweserved.com as well as Fold3.com. Related to this, there will be a smart phone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story. Thank you for posting these photos I hope you will allow me to use your photos, with credit given to you and a link to USMF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted July 13, 2021 Share #59 Posted July 13, 2021 17 minutes ago, lmccole said: Hi Tom I am a researcher/writer for StoriesBehindTheStars.org. This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen. Paul Francis Hemmelgarn has been assigned to me. What a marvelous collection you have of his memorabilia. I am writing you to ask permission to use your photos of his medals and letters in the story I am writing about him. This story will be posted on Togetherweserved.com as well as Fold3.com. Related to this, there will be a smart phone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story. Thank you for posting these photos I hope you will allow me to use your photos, with credit given to you and a link to USMF. You should know that Tom passed away some years ago. I believe that the current caretaker of the group is a member here. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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