The Medal Group of 2nd Lt Walter Dabney Frazier USMC WWI KIA...June 5 1918

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This thread is concerning 2nd Lt Walter Dabney Frazier USMC .He attended Culver Academy where he was a Legion of Honor awardee.He graduated in 1916 and joined the 208th over-seas battalion Canadian Expeditionary Forces where he went to France and fought with the Canadians until the USA's entrance into WWI. ..Walter returned to the USA and joined the USMC and was commissioned a Lt.

He returned to France as a Marine Officer and led his men from the front with great bravery. He was struck down during that juggernaut of Chateau -Thierry on June 5 1918. 2nd Lt Frazier was awarded the DSC,Navy Cross and two Silver Stars to be placed on his Victory medal... in his short but awe inspiring career as a Marine.

 

The Culver Academy portrait of Walter Dabney Frazier. ..

"If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep "

 

Here is the medal group of 2nd Lt Frazier so cautiously and lovingly stored by his mother for these many years...

 

 

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Culver Academy medals...

 

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Taken from a article in the Culver Builder...

Culver was honored on October 9th by a visit from Brigadier General G. A. L. Dumont, French Military Attache at Washington, who was on a tour of the middle west visiting army posts and large industrial plants. The General expressed a desire to see the routine work of the regular daily program rather than events staged for his special benefit. He arrived early in the morning and spent a full day visiting classes, inspecting barracks, watching drill and viewing athletic practice on the football field, the pool, the boxing ring. etc. A review of the Corps of Cadets was held right after dinner followed by a comprehensive program of R. O. T. C, activities during the drill hour. A luncheon attended by Heads of Departments was given in his honor in the mess hall. The most beautiful and impressive event of the day was the planting of a tree in front of the Culver Legion Memorial Building in honor of a Gold Star Alumnus. The Superintendent stated briefly the plan of planting around the Legion Memorial Building a tree for each of the sixty Gold Star Alumni and then called on the oldest Alumnus present. Major W. M. Hand, '96, to read the record of Lieutenant Frazier which was as follows: "Walter Dabney Frazier. of Pittsburgh, Pa., graduated from Culver with the class of 1916. He enlisted in the 208th Over-Seas Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Forces in January, 1917, and served with that Battalion in France until the entry of the United States into the World War. when he returned to America and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on July 6th, 1917. He sailed for France on November 19, 1917. and was killed in the lighting around Chateau-Thierry while serving as a 1st Lieutenant 5th United States Marines, Second Division, on June 5, 1918. For extraordinary heorism in action he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross by the United States Government and the Croix de Guerre with both gold and bronze stars by the French government and was also cited in General Orders X'o. to by the Commander in Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces for bravery in action." General Dumont shovelled in the first spades full of earth and then each Alumnus on the faculty and each member of the Cadet Club of the Culver Legion shovelled in a spadeful. This simple but impressive ceremony touched the General very much. In a short address to the Corps from the balcony in the mess hall, General Dumont referred to Culver as like a dream he had never thought to see realized—a real typical military school. He said that he was inspired and made happy to see the flag of his native France carried at the review between Old Glory and the Culver Standard.

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Distinguished Service Cross

 

Awarded for actions during the World War I

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Walter D. Frazier (MCSN: 0-2385), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918. Killed in action, Second Lieutenant Frazier gave the supreme proof of that extraordinary heroism which will serve as an example to hitherto untried troops

 

Navy Cross

 

Awarded for actions during the World War I

 

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Walter D. Frazier (MCSN: 0-2385), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918. Killed in action, Second Lieutenant Frazier gave the supreme proof of that extraordinary heroism which will serve as an example to hitherto untried troops.

 

 

Silver Star Citation

 

Awarded for actions during the World War I

 

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Second Lieutenant Walter D. Frazier (MCSN: 0-2385), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Frazier distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918.

 

General Orders: Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

 

Action Date: June 6 - July 10, 1918

 

Service: Marine Corps

 

Rank: Second Lieutenant

 

Regiment: Fifth Regiment (Marines)

 

Division: 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

[warguy]

Wow, the finest WWI Marine grouping I have ever seen. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Kevin

[mes]

Holy Cow! That's awesome.Beautiful engraving. His file should be really interesting.

Mark

[tarbridge]

Holy Cow! That's awesome.Beautiful engraving. His file should be really interesting.

Mark

Yes...and I will have you to Thank for getting the file for Lt Frazier. ..

[Medalman90]

Wow. This is a beautiful group. I have never seen a WWI group where every single medal is named. Especially the NC and CDG. Certainly something you don't see everyday. Thank you for sharing.

[etienne]

Hello,

 

it's an amazing medals grouping !!

 

E

[KASTAUFFER]

Absolutely beautiful grouping. I have never seen a WWI engraved like this before. Thanks for sharing this group.

 

Kurt

[LuftStalg1]

Homina, homina, homina........WOW! Amazing, just amazing, thanks for sharing this beautiful grouping!

 

MarkD

[Raidercollector]

Wow, What a stunning group. Love the engraving. Never seen one like this. Thanks for sharing Robert.

 

Nick

[Oldmedalgi]

Wow Robert, GREAT group, congrats.

[katieony]

Robert,

You never cease to amaze! A truly rare and historic group of medals! Thank you for sharing this Marine's story.

Mike

[KySoldier]

Simply beautiful !!!!!

[trenchbuff]

A dream group, but represents a very terrible loss.

[dhcoleterracina]

OMG, what an amazing group.

[PaulR]

Simply... WOW!

[DakotaDave]

Outstanding group bar none, the finest example of the master engravers art I have had the good fortune to see.

 

DakotaDave

[BEAST]

A truly amazing group! The letter is heart-wrenching.

[bobgee]

As stated-----Truly amazing. The engraver was a real craftsman. Congrats on another outstanding acquisition! Bob