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Maj. J. F. Shankle, Silver Star, Forward Observer 25th ID Korea


Captainofthe7th
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Captainofthe7th

My, has it been some time since I've posted here! It's also been quite awhile since I've acquired anything new, though I always lurk ebay. Well, I found this gem a few weeks ago and was able to make this purchase for Christmas. Santa helped a bit, too...

 

Maj. Shankle graduated from West Point in 1950 - included in the group is a stack of delinquency reports, a West Point calendar, and a card for the baccalaureate service (a piece which I think is pretty cool), and his dog tags with his p38. Following this, he served in Korea as a forward observer with the 64th FAB and earned the Silver Star for his actions. Two newspaper clippings were included that outline the details, and I found an additional report online.

 

"Sllver Star has been awarded to Lt [J.F.] Shankle of Memphis for action In Korea. The award was presented to the Memphis lieutenant last month by Ira P Swift, [25th] Infantry Division commander for his outstanding service against the enemy near Seoul, Korea. Lieutenant Shankle was serving with Battery B [64th] Field Artillery Battalion a part of the [25th] Infantry Division. The citation credited Lieutenant Shankle with distinguishing him self while serving as [an] artillery observer for a unit that suddenly encountered heavy resistance entrenched on commanding ground. He voluntarily joined the infantry commander at the front of the company to storm the position The lieutenant took the place of platoon leader and led the charge. A bursting grenade wounded Shankle, but he plunged on to take a machine gun emplacement and killed the crew. The wounded man then refused to be [relieved] until he had set up a defense post."

 

A really interesting 'citation' there. I have yet to find the original citation, but with some digging I am hoping it will turn up. The helmet is absolutely killer! He applied a cloth Maj insignia on the shell and the custom camo cover. These are obviously post Korea service. Also included were camoflauge ascots. Any idea what the unusual camo pattern is from??

 

All of the insignia is beautiful - custom sewn ribbon bars (not sure why he has WWII victory, but whatever) and a pair of great bullion 25th ID patches. Where were these made? I am thinking that the darker red is Japanese made and the pinker patch is Korean made, as it is similar in construction, material, and color to a 24th ID I used to have that was ID'd as Korean.

 

Well, I think about covers it unless I think of more. I hope you all enjoy looking at this grouping. I am honored and excited to own it! Sorry for the lesser quality on the photos...I left the nice camera at school and had to settle for the iphone on this one.

 

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And I hope everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Rob

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Nice set...he may have qualified for the WWII victory medal in his first year at West Point. I believe the guys attending service academies received these

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Nice set...he may have qualified for the WWII victory medal in his first year at West Point. I believe the guys attending service academies received these

That is correct. Cadets at West Point were considered to be on active duty. If he graduated in June 1950, he would have entered the academy in June 1946. The WWII Victory Medal was awarded for any active duty between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, the date Harry Truman officially declared the end to hostilities.

 

Ironically, the WWII Victory Medal has the dates "1941 - 1945" on its reverse.

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Captainofthe7th

Ah, thank you guys for clarifying the victory medal eligibility. I hadn't even considered that he had to join in 1946 to graduate in 1950. DUH!

 

And Justin, yes, the shell has a cloth insignia glued on as well. First I've seen like that! (My first officer's helmet, too!)

 

Still curious about the origin of the unknown camo ascot and where the patches were made!

 

Thanks for all the comments!

 

Rob

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CNY Militaria

I have an ascot identical to that with another officer's fatigue shirt I have, Vietnam era. Interesting piece, I wonder how many are still around?

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Captainofthe7th

I have an ascot identical to that with another officer's fatigue shirt I have, Vietnam era. Interesting piece, I wonder how many are still around?

 

I have seen the pattern somewhere before as well, a few times. I'm guessing that most of these pieces date from 56 to 58 maybe? Since he was in the reserves he does not show up in the officer's register.

 

Rob

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