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Lee Marvin's USMC WWII Causualty Card


arclight
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Back when Lee Marvin's causualty card was first posted here several months ago I immediately noticed a connection with a Marine whose uniforms, medals, paperwork, etc. that I had aquired many years ago at an estate auction. They were in the same company and both became causalties on the same day, 18 June 1944. The difference being, my guy, Lt. Lyman Reifsnyder was killed. Now here is where it gets interesting. According to the Silver Star Citation it states that Reifsnder's platoon was subjected to a pounding barrage of enemy rifle and machinegun fire. Reifsnyder skillfully directed the necessary withdrawal of his squads and after making certain that retirement could be effected safely remained behind to care for the wounded. He was killed while administering first aid to his wounded men. I had then wondered if Marvin may have been one of his men he was tending to. I enlisted the help of Jack's Son here on the forum and we ran into a brick wall as not enough data was kept. So, the other day I am going through some of Reifsnyders stuff and pulled out his photos that were taken on the islands and discovered a couple with this group of Marines and thought Holy Cow! There is Lee Marvin standing with Reifsnyder. In the photo Reifsnyder is the tall guy on the left and who I think is Marvin is on the right with the M1 rifle and bayonet fixed to it. So, I ask the opinion of you guys to see what you think and if this may indeed be a photo of Marvin. These photos are not the sharpest of images but I did the best I could.

 

Reifsnyder1A.jpg

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That's a good picture to have in your grouping. It's a toss-up on Marvin though, it kind of looks like his nose and mouth, but I can't say for sure.

Perhaps someone else will have a better why of telling.

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  • 1 year later...
AmericanStoryProject

Has anyone read the new biography about Lee Marvin? The author has original letters and photos in the book, never before seen parts of Marvin's life, such as his father served in Both World Wars...http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Marvin-Point-Dwayne-Epstein/dp/1936182408

 

Has anyone ever seen anything that was owned by Marvin during the war?

 

 

 

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It is interesting to see how the Marine Corps History Dept screwed up his awards. They list an American Defense Service Medal and left off his Asiatic Service Campaign Medal from the group of awards he was entitled to. I think that is awesome that he received the Navy Commendation Ribbon. They did not give those out like they do today! I would love to know what the citation stated.

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AmericanStoryProject

So, the private collection I work for has tasked me with researching Lee Marvin's time as a Marine during The War. And came upon this blog which is run by the author of the new Le Marvin book ( I don't get any money for advertising or any of that) BUT THE PICTURES IN THIS BLOG ARE AMAZING!

 

For instance, Lee's father Lamont served in both WWI and WWII

http://pointblankbook.com/in-honor-of-veterans-day-the-marvins-in-uniform/

 

And his mother Courtenay in the Great War

http://pointblankbook.com/in-honor-of-veterans-day-the-marvins-in-uniform-part-ii/

 

Never before seen photos of Lee in the Corps!
http://pointblankbook.com/in-honor-of-veterans-day-the-marvin-family-in-uniform-finale/

 

The photos are rad.

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