Treasure Chest, the memorabilia of Gen. F.J. Chesarek

[Ches-Gen-4]

Moderators. If you feel that this next post is inappropriate for this forum please feel free to remove it.
Just for historical accuracy these were part of the Generals collection and I wanted to share them with the members.


SPOILS OF WAR - NAZI SOUVENIRS!

Below we have a nicely etched bayonet with stag handles. The translation
of the inscription is as follows: In memory of my service with the T.R. 57 victories.

 

 

 

 

Next we have a Hitler Youth knife

 

 

 

And a Kreigsmarine knife or dagger.
A little history on this one. I was told that Ches had captured 65 German soldiers for which he received the Silver Star and that one of the Germans
surrendered this knife to him. He was always proud of this piece and displayed it on his mantle for years. I was surprised to see the fraying of the portepee as
I didn't remember it being that way when I saw it years ago. I can only imagine how many times he and all of his friends and visitors fondled this knife over the years.

 

 

If anyone wants to see more detailed photos of these knives, please don't hesitate to ask. Bob

[Lucky 7th Armored]

Simply in awe, thank you for showing!

 

Haydn

[4STARCHRIS]

Having owned a general officer uniform or two, This is absolutely one of the greatest grouping of one man's career I have ever seen maintained. What an historic career this soldier had at a very hard time in our countries history.

Thank you very much for sharing and please contine to post.

4starchris

[Ches-Gen-4]

The General had two framed documents that are important to me as I am sure they were quite important to him.

The first which is so impressive that I have transcribed the writing for those interested.

A TESTIMONIAL!

First we see General Westmoreland presenting General Chesarek the Testimonial. (The document had been reframed at some point after presentation)

 

The document itself.

 

Transcription.

Ferdinand Joseph Chesarek

General, United States Army

Commanding General, United States Army Materiel Command

October the Thirty-First

Nineteen Hundred and Seventy

In recognition of your long and distinguished service to the Army and the Nation, we take great pleasure in presenting to you this testimonial of the respect, esteem, and high regard in which you are held by your associates.
Your outstanding career has been characterized by dedicated professional performance and unswerving devotion to duty. In your service of more than thirty-two years, you have been called upon to carry heavy responsibilities in our Army, and have done so with singular distinction and excellence. During World War II, the Army was fortunate to have an officer with your qualifications to serve as Executive Officer of the 177th Field Artillery Group at Camp McCoy, and to command the 28th Field Artillery Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, in combat in Europe. For gallantry in action against the enemy in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns, you were decorated by France and Luxembourg as well as your own grateful Nation.
Toward the end of and following the war, the Army used your proven capabilities in positions of increasing responsibility, including those in the G4 (Logistics) Division of the War Department General Staff; as Assistant to the Chairman of the Munitions Board; and with the Eighth United States Army as Chief of the Management Division and Commander of the 5th Artillery Group where your performance was marked by unusual versatility, inspirational leadership, and unceasing energy. Subsequent significant assignments included a tour in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs) as Military Assistant and Executive Officer; and service as Chief of Staff first of the United States Army Communications Zone, Europe, then of the United States Army Southern Task Force; and as Commanding General of the 4th Logistical Command in France.
On your return from Europe, you joined the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, where, first as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (Materiel Readiness) and then as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (Programs), your breadth of vision, sound judgment, professional knowledge, and dynamic leadership were of inestimable value to the Army. Following a year's duty as Comptroller of the Army, you were designated the first Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, with concurrent duty as Senior United States Army Member of the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations. Your career culminated in your performance as Commanding General of the United States Army Materiel Command where you worked untiringly to achieve significant savings and improved management while contributing effective materiel support to the Army. Throughout your long years of distinguished service, you have improved the Army's ability to provide for the security of our country during a particularly difficult and complex period in its history.
We join in wishing you continued success and richly deserved happiness.

Stanley R. Resor W. C. Westmoreland
Secretary of the Army Chief of Staff

[Ches-Gen-4]

The next framed document is his promotion to General, dated 10 March 1969 and signed by President Richard Nixon and Stanley Resor.

40.

 

41.

[Ches-Gen-4]

Shown below are some of the foreign presentation plaques presented to General Chesarek during his tenure
as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.

Presented by IM CHUNG SIK, Minster of National Defense, ROK 16 Nov. 1969



Presented by General YU HAO-CHANG, Commander and Chief, Army, Republic of China, 19 Nov. 1969

[Ches-Gen-4]

Next we have a plaque presented to:

Lieutenant General F.J.Chesarek

Assistant Vice Chief of Staff

Department of the Army

With Admiration and Appreciation

Officers and Men of

United States Army Vietnam

January 1969

 

[Ches-Gen-4]

In this post are shown the Generals Dress White Uniform hat as well as his Green uniform hat and the piece of luggage that the

hats were carried in as they traveled with the General. Note the luggage tag.

 

 

 

 

[Ches-Gen-4]

MAPS...MAPS...MAPS...

 

The General kept his maps in a theater made portfolio which measures 20" x 16" and is about an inch thick.

 

The first set is Germany and Central Europe and are marked FIRST EDITION.

 

 

 

 

 

Next there is an interesting map of Germany that has been laminated and either troupe movements or attack plan has been marked out

in grease pencil.

 

 

More maps of Europe

 

 

 

Then there are the maps of France

 

 

 

Along with the maps was this interesting large size voting poster.

 

 

 

[Ches-Gen-4]

CHINA AWARDS GENERAL CHESAREK THE ORDER OF THE CLOUD AND BANNER MEDAL!

 

This beautiful medal set was awarded on 20 Nov. 1969.

 

The certificate in Chinese

 

 

Then the English translation

 

 

The case measures 11" x 5" x 2"

 

 

The medal came with extra ribbon material & the small black enameled disc is a pin back that was placed on the jacket first,

then the large and heavy medal was attached to that.

 

 

 

 

In order of precedence, this is the the Second Class Medal out of 9 grades. Second to the top award.

 

[Ches-Gen-4]

THE KOREAN ORDER OF NATIONAL SECURITY MERIT, FIRST CLASS, FIRST TYPE.

 

I had to do a bunch of searching to find out what this medal was. It was awarded sometime in the late 60's.

 

This is a large presentation case measuring 12" x 8 1/2" x 2 1/2".

 

 

The balance of the sash ribbon is under the cover.

 

 

 

Both medals are serial numbered of the reverse # 229.

 

 

I do have boxes of documents and hope to find the accompanying certificate to go along with this decoration. Enjoy!

[Ches-Gen-4]

Korean medal update. While searching through a box of pins & ribbons, I found the missing pieces to the set.

 

And I could not resist...just in this case....to remove the tarnish. I know this is not a popular thing to do, But this set is so nice and I wanted to show it in its condition as presented.

 

So here it is the complete set in all it's gold plated beauty!

 

 

[firefighter]

Love the Order of the Cloud and Banner with certificates.

[Ches-Gen-4]

 

Just taking a moment to thank the Administrator and Moderators that run this great Forum.

 

Thanks to all the members that have commented and or those that have continued to follow along as I present my Uncles history.

 

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year! Bob

[manayunkman]

Well done and Merry Christmas to you too.

[Ches-Gen-4]

While going through some photos this morning, I found this appropriate greeting card.

 

[Ches-Gen-4]

Here is a photo dated 2 Jan 1954 and shows a G-4 Christmas Party gathering.

 

Left to right are: Col. James A. Wilson, Col. F.J. Chesarek, Col. David W. Traub & Col. Walter J. Burk

 

[Ches-Gen-4]

Here is an interesting document dated 1958.

 

[Brian Dentino]

This is the thread that keeps on giving! Love it. Your uncle really did hang onto EVERYTHING from his service.....and a great service he had! Thanks again for taking the time to post more of your family's rich military history.

[Ches-Gen-4]

Thank you Brian for your complements and continued interest. I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel....or is that the train!!!!!

[Ches-Gen-4]

For this next photo I would like a little help with identification or at least an opinion. Hey, you get what you pay for.

The photo below shows a Colonel who I believe is the future Commanding General of the Eighth Infantry Division Artillery,

James A. Pickering.

I have attached a couple of other photos for comparison.

Anybody feel this is one in the same or what???? There is no information on the back of the photo. Thanks, Bob

 

 

 

 

[Ches-Gen-4]

A souvenir from West Point.

 

 

Uncle Ches is on the far right, second row from the top.

 

 

 

1934 So young and so many great things yet to happen.......

 

[Ches-Gen-4]

There were a couple of berets in my Uncles items one of which is the black one that he is shown wearing in the photo

at the European Communications zone birthday party.

The other one shown below puzzles me to some extent.

From what I have found, the Trojan horse crest or flash was worn by members of the 10th Special Forces Group on

their berets during the 50's. On 10 Dec 1982 the 1st Special Operations Command (Airborne) adopted the Trojan horse

part of this crest as it's official emblem. I will have to do a little research to see when the General was a part of this group.

 

 

 

 

 

The beret does have a few moth bites but overall is in nice condition with no makers marks or label.

The stamped metal chromed flash doesn't have any markings either. Bob

[firefighter]

Nice Green Beret.It is for the 10th SF Group (Germany).The pin should be marked .900.It was, if i remember, German made.This is the original 1st style badge.The 10th Gp now wears a green flash with the SF insignia.Very cool.

[Ches-Gen-4]

Thanks for verifying that information firefighter. I appreciate it. Bob