KASTAUFFER Posted November 1, 2013 Share #1 Posted November 1, 2013 Many of you probably saw this group on the forum for sale. I decided to buy it and follow my instincts on research. So far I only have an extract for the DSC citation, but I have ordered the complete one. What is unique about early 9th AAF GO's from 1943, is that the medal numbers are often hand noted on the file copies of the GO's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted November 1, 2013 His DSC is actually a WWI vintage medal that was not issued for WWI. It is in a block of untraceable WWI DSC numbers. This one is # 4928 and we know now was issued in 1943. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted November 1, 2013 His Purple Heart is #d 83350 I have a copy of GO# 38 HQ 9th AAF awarding medal # 83382 to another officer in the 12th BG. With the numbers so close I feel very optimistic I will be able to trace both the DSC and the PH by number to Lt. Larson. Tracing medals by number for WWII is normally the exception rather than the rule. I am hoping this is the exception! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted November 1, 2013 I know the GO# for the DSC, all I need to do now is wait for the award cards so that I can find out what GO's his Purple Heart + OLC were awarded on. Once I have that, I can order copies of both GO's and will hopefully be able to report good news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted November 1, 2013 Share #5 Posted November 1, 2013 Great grouping.Love the engraving on the Purple Heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted November 2, 2013 Share #6 Posted November 2, 2013 See Find A Grave, remains reside in Nevada. Also OLC to Purple Heart. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted November 2, 2013 Share #7 Posted November 2, 2013 Very nice find Kurt, the citation is definitely fitting of the DSC...brave man. Thanks for posting, good luck on the continued research. Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted November 2, 2013 Thanks W, I knew I forgot a photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted November 2, 2013 Share #9 Posted November 2, 2013 I think that is the first time I have seen an OLC mention on a headstone. The engraving on the Purple Heart is something else, really nice flare to it...now the DSC engraving would be classified as "unofficial," correct? Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted November 2, 2013 Share #10 Posted November 2, 2013 Philip, I have heard that a lot of Air Force units stationed in UK in 42 & 43 had medals locally engraved for presentation to the Airmen so these may be officially engraved. I'm sure those more knowledgeable the me will correct my statement if need be. Regards, John PS Kurt, thanks for posting and great research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted November 2, 2013 Hi John and PhilipI do think these were engraved locally. Here is a link to a DFC I think was also engraved locally to another 9th AAF crewman in North Africa in 1943: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/101681-nicest-aaf-dfc-engraving-i-have-ever-seen/ The reason I think they may have been engraved locally is because of this notation on an early GO awarding medals to men of the 9th AAF from the same time period in North Africa,Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted November 2, 2013 Share #12 Posted November 2, 2013 Very nice set Kurt! Looks like you have a great start on research. Good luck with the rest of it. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted November 8, 2013 Thanks JD! I hope his file didn't get burned. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted March 20, 2014 The research gods have smiled on me today. I got back copies of the general orders for his DSC and Purple Heart and my suspicions were confirmed..... The numbers were in them!!!!! That means besides them being engraved they are also traceable by number. It was a good day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted March 20, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam R Posted March 20, 2014 Share #16 Posted March 20, 2014 Well done, Kurt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted March 20, 2014 Thanks Adam! Here is the GO for the OLC to his Purple Heart. Its for the action that he earned the DSC for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted March 20, 2014 Share #18 Posted March 20, 2014 Kurt Thanks for the update. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted March 20, 2014 Share #19 Posted March 20, 2014 Kurt, Great in-depth research! I really appreciate the efforts you take to document the history of these veterans. It's always interesting to see what avenue of research you are going to take to document an item. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAW Posted March 20, 2014 Share #20 Posted March 20, 2014 Are you kidding me!? Wow....great research Kurt. Kudos to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted March 20, 2014 Share #21 Posted March 20, 2014 Great reasearch ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted March 20, 2014 Share #22 Posted March 20, 2014 Excellent work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share #23 Posted August 27, 2014 Photo from his file Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted August 27, 2014 Share #24 Posted August 27, 2014 Would like to see another PH engraved like this one. Gotta be out there somewhere. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share #25 Posted August 27, 2014 Probably all the #d PHs awarded the same day as his on the same GO are all named the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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