NY Father (CGM, Sampson Medal - WW1) & Son (SGT, “K” Co., 7th IR, 3rd ID, Cisterna Silver Star, Anzio “Breakout” KIA Purple Heart)

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Missing in Action list.

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The Italian Campaign and beyond.

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Hope ran out on 24 July 1944, two months after the Anzio “break out”, when the War Department notified John and Etta Rosloof that their oldest son, James, had been killed in action.

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John’s American Legion Post at Hempstead, NY, where Etta also devoted much of her time and energy, presented the family with the Legion’s Gold Star Citation, dated 31 July 1944.

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John and Etta displayed this Gold Star flag in a front window of their home and Jim’s at 242 Lakeview Ave., Hempstead, Long Island, NY, in memory of their young sergeant that gave all for his country.

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SGT James Rosloof was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart that was presented to his family following receipt of the Purple Heart Certificate dated 15 August 1944. “Established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York” in 1782.

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The Presidential Accolade incorrectly states the place of Jim’s death as “North African Area.”

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23 May 1945. A year had gone by. The war was over in Europe and SGT Jim Rosloof's remains were in an Italian battlefield cemetery. His parents, sisters and brother had not been able to give him a funeral, but they did what they could to honor his memory.

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For God and Country, an Everlasting Tribute. Original about the size of the Presidential Accolade.

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Etta continued her work with the women’s auxiliary at the American Legion. It was Christmas Season 1945.

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John died on 29 December 1945 at age 73 and was buried by his fellow Legionnaires at Long Island National Cemetery.

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SGT James Rosloof was originally interred in Nettuno, Italy and his remains were later returned to the United States on the S.S. Carroll Victory in July 1948 at his mother’s request. He was repatriated at Long Island National Cemetery on 11 August 1948 following a funeral held by the Lynwood American Legion.

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SGT. James H. Rosloof’s Medal Group “out of the wood”. Bailey, Banks and Biddle 1930’s Silver Star and posthumous officially engraved Purple Heart Medal. Perhaps someone can identify the manufacturer of the Purple Heart based on the suspension brooch’s flat sided ball-catch.

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Reverse.

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WWII Army Purple Heart “large letter” machine engraving that was used concurrently with hand-engraving on medals for “Date of Reported Death” during the approximate period 30 July 1944 to 30 July 1945, as identified in Messrs. Smith and Stauffer’s treatise on posthumous WWII Army Purple Heart observed engraving styles.

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BB&B original 1934 Army contract Silver Star # 35035, awarded in the field at Anzio, Italy, March-April 1944.

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American Defense medal with “Foreign Service” clasp.

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American Theater of Operations.

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European Theater with 4 battlestars. Since John had passed away before this medal was issued to the family, I’m speculating that one of his fellow Legionnaires may have affixed the four battlestars to the medal, or perhaps Etta herself. The ribbon that was mounted above it in the frame did not have battlestars. Since the Rosloofs were a military family, I’m surprised that James’ medal group did not include the New York Conspicuous Service Cross, since his award of the Silver Star most certainly qualified him for that state honor. If I have the opportunity to acquire an unattributed World War II example of that stunning medal it will be displayed with SGT Rosloof’s group. He absolutely earned it. And if any of his bloodline come across this post, my suggestion is that they apply to the State of New York for that recognition of their ancestor.

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WWII Victory Medal.

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SGT James H. Rosloof, “K” Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Killed in Action 23 May 1944, Cisterna, Italy.