Jump to content

WWII 31st Infantry Officer POW Grouping -- Medals, Trench Art and more!


HistoryNut
 Share

Recommended Posts

HistoryNut

This is a grouping I purchased earlier this year...I feel it is the "Holy Grail" of my collection. I purchased it from a man that was selling it for the son of the veteran. I am honored to be the temporary steward of this group!! The Bronze Star is named and the mini POW medal has the veteran's initials. As you can see many of the other items also have his name. Luckily, the veteran documented his WWII military history on his mess kit, canteen and musette. I have also found several websites that have documented the names of the prison camps he was in. There is also a website that shows a picture of the Lt. showing his diary to one of the troops that liberated him.

post-13256-0-10768900-1373075656.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HistoryNut

Original photos after liberation and one of him in later life. The Lt. was wounded 18 Dec 41 and had his leg amputated 9 Sep 43. As you can see he has an amazing "makeshift" wooden leg.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HistoryNut

A couple of great patches, an I.D. card, his cap and a flag. The flag is made from a piece of his shirt sewn to a chop stick...any ideas on this. I am sure the purpose of the flag is lost with time!

post-13256-0-92046800-1373076544.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HistoryNut

Personal items...shocking he was allowed to keep them and that they survived his horrific ordeal!

post-13256-0-06081700-1373076719.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HistoryNut

Writing under musette flap. This is the last photo of this grouping...sorry there were so many. Thanks for looking!!

 

John

post-13256-0-13739700-1373077345.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

KASTAUFFER

Absolutely beautiful group. I've collected POW groups for a long time and thus one is just outstanding.

 

Kurt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HistoryNut

Wow...I knew the diary existed because I found the same photo on the internet during my research! I had no idea that it had been purchased and posted here on the forum. Thank you very much for the heads up!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nice grouping, I just picked up an M-1 helmet from E Company 31st Infantry and it belonged to a Lieutenant. Of course it was probably issued during the occupation of Japan but quite a coincidence. Scott.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here you are, as I said its an M-1 so not used in the Bataan campaign, but I thought it was quite a coincidence. Scott

 

post-22-0-19689500-1400332225.jpg

post-22-0-98286600-1400332228.jpg

post-22-0-08790900-1400332232.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...