Coolest USMC group

[Hessian]

I picked this up from a fellow forum member. I don't think it's been posted before, if it has I apologize. That said, I felt that this grouping NEEDED to be shared due to the multiple layers of it that will appeal to almost all USMC collectors.

 

I'm still researching the details of his service but this is a rough sketch...

 

This Marine was in pre-war China, then does the 1939-41 Byrd Antarctic Expedition (!) WW2 then Korea where he becomes a POW. I've never personally owned (nor seen) such a diverse grouping which spans so many areas of interest (China, Byrd Expedition, POW and WW2/Korea). Just amazing. Also Bronze Star w/V, Navy Comm with V, and four Purple Hearts.

 

The China album is fantastic... The silk embroidered cover is beautiful. Great photos throughout including some of the usual Japanese atrocities as well as great China Marine shots, uniforms, formations etc. Korean era album is also nice and I also have a digital copy of the Byrd Expedition album (the family kept the original). To top it off, this Marine also has a mountain range named after him.

 

Check out the ribbon rack... The Antarctic Expedition ribbon really jumps out at you. I'm humbled to be the caretaker of this great set.

[warguy]

Wow, just fantastic, thanks for sharing !

[dave peifer]

super group.......don't see many like that............dave

[uniformcollector]

Amazing group! I love seeing items (especially uniforms) with a Byrd connection.

[Terry K.]

Talk about a historic grouping! Very nice.

[b_hinch]

Wow, thanks for sharing! Awesome grouping. And I don't normally give this compliment here on the Forum, but what a great rack!

[Leatherwringer]

Oh man.....a Byrd Marine...now that is right up my alley!

Super grouping!

[SgtMaddoxUSMC]

That is awesome! That ribbon really does stand out!

[lovmilinsig]

Awesome group!!!

 

Ed

[Javelin4life]

Amazing group, love that ribbon rack!!!

[Brig]

Don't know how I missed this. Great uniform! Good enough to tempt you to stray from WWI, I see

[patrick_usmc]

Browsing through old(ish) threads, and I find this...great stuff!

[Captainofthe7th]

Stellar grouping! This is no doubt a centerpiece in any collection. Thanks so much for sharing!

 

Rob

[Kaonashi]

AWESOME!

[ssggates]

Now that's one to be proud of! Very nice!

[aerialbridge]

Criminy! I never expected to see LTC Felix Ferranto's dress blue uniform and ribbon bars!! Super coolest- like winter in Antarctica in the 30's. One of 60 US Antarctic Service Expedition Gold Medal recipients. Radioman for the fabled Snow Cruiser. Korean war POW for 34 months. "In an attempt to electrocute a North Korean major, he reportedly rigged a radio. The effort was unsuccessful, leading to prolonged solitary confinement. For 34 months, while struggling to survive in Korean War prison camps, Felix Ferranto recited the Lord's Prayer daily and dreamed of being free."

 

 

UNBELIEVABLE and PRICELESS history.............man. Whoever is the caretaker of this uniform-- what a supreme and humbling honor.

 

Bio of a bona fide Marine Hero- God bless him and keep him.

 

 

https://old.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=72466677

[Sand Flea]

Fantastic piece of Marine history.

 

Thank you for sharing with us!

[Garandomatic]

Holy cow... I don't know what would be worse... Imprisonment by the Japanese or North Koreans...

[SemperParatus]

Just browsing through past topics and having been to the Big Icebox twice I am always interested to see any polar related material. This is only the second group I have seen with this particular Antarctic medal included. Truly a great group to be caretaker of..well done!

[bobgee]

A Big SEMPER FI to LtCol Ferranto! What a record of service. Fantastic! Bob

[Brig]

I'm still trying to locate where this one ended up, if anyone knows, please PM me

[aerialbridge]

I never get tired of seeing that uniform and "coolest" ribbon rack. The Sistine Blue Antarctic ribbon stands out like an iceberg. It would be great to see his medal group, particularly the hand-engraved, Gold Antarctic 1939-41 USAS Expedition, but I'd guess they are with his kids or grand-kids. I believe there are a grand total of 2 USMC groups that would have that ribbon-- Ferranto and Ted Petras.

 

https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/1994/05/ted-petras-born-fly

 

 

Admiral Richard E. Byrd with members of the Snow Cruiser crew. Chicago, October, 1939. Pictured left to right, Corporal Felix Louis Ferranto, USMC, radio operator; Dr. F. Alton Wade, senior scientist and second in command of the Snow Cruiser; Admiral Richard E. Byrd, USN; Chief Machinist Mate C. L. Meyer, USN, Machinist; Dr. Thomas C. Poulter, of the Armour Institute, designer of the Snow Cruiser.

 

The crew of the Snow Cruiser photographed in Antarctica on September 20, 1940. From left, C.W. Griffith, diesel mechanic; F. Alton Wade, comm.; Felix L. Ferranto, radio operator; and T.A. Petras, pilot of the Snow Cruiser plane.

[Brig]

Still trying to track down where this uniform went. I have reason to believe the uniform and albums have been separated, curious where both ended up.

[Big Iron]

13 hours ago, Brig said:

Still trying to track down where this uniform went. I have reason to believe the uniform and albums have been separated, curious where both ended up.

That would be quite sad. As with every hobby, there are always those who are willing to destroy an historical group to make a few extra bucks. Ultimately, not worth it.

 

This is quite an impressive grouping. Out of curiosity, why would there not be a POW ribbon on his uniform? I'm assuming that it came out long after this Marine would have been serving?

[aerialbridge]

Dang, can't believe it's been five years since I posted those two pix.   Tempus fugit.