World War I Presidential Wound and Killed in Action Certificates

[Fritz]

Here are some better pics of my documents to a 1st Air Service man, he was killed during traing in an airplane crash according to the Ohio green books. The last picture is the vet, he was a pilot trainee and all are in there original frames.

 

Fritz

[teufelhunde.ret]

Here's another USMC one...It is actually a full size one but the remainder is behind the framed part. This is framed behind UV glass and with acid-free backings, etc.

 

This one was sent home to the family of Cpl. Theodore B. Scebold, Marine Corps. He served with 75th Co., 1st Bn, 6th Regt, 2nd Division during World War I. He was listed as missing in action since October 3, 1918. He received the Silver Star for valor.

 

Great thread folks, this one has been done magnificently !!! s/f Darrell

[jayhawkhenry]

Just acquired my first certificate. It was years before the Purple Heart came out, so it is the original recognition of being wounded or killed in action.

[bobgee]

Nice to see this interesting thread ressurected. As kind of a rehash, there was no Purple Heart medal until 1932. During the war period a wounded soldier or Marine was authorized to wear a "wound stripe", in the form of an upside down chevron, for each wound, on the lower right sleeve of their tunic. These were identicle to the the six-month overseas chevrons worn on the lower left sleeve. In 1932 only living wounded former GIs were entitled to apply for the new Purple Heart medal. Many did not. Next of Kin of KIA or later deceased WIAs were NOT entitled to receive a PH medal. A very interesting war Department decision. To find a Columbia Wounded Certificate WITH the later named PH medal is a great collecting goal!

Semper Fi.....Bobgee

[jayhawkhenry]

I read the posts on certificates to Marines with interest. My wife's great uncle was with the 5th Marines and was KIA, 11-11-18. I have his photo and pocket watch, a very distant relative has his Columbia Certificate. So I hope if it ever turns up for sale I have a shot at it. I think this is a hightly under rated area of collecting.

[fightn5th]

I read the posts on certificates to Marines with interest. My wife's great uncle was with the 5th Marines and was KIA, 11-11-18. I have his photo and pocket watch, a very distant relative has his Columbia Certificate. So I hope if it ever turns up for sale I have a shot at it. I think this is a hightly under rated area of collecting.

 

 

Interested in seeing a shot of that photo you mentioned.

 

Frank

[walt323]

Here is the only one I have in my collection. Albert B.Strickland Co.H 23rd infantry 2nd division.

[walt323]

I was very fortunate to also have found his DSC citation and some photos.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Albert B. Strickland (ASN: 51121), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Vierzy, France, 18 July 1918. While leading his platoon in attack, Sergeant Strickland was painfully wounded in the leg; disregarding his wound, he continued to lead his platoon forward again until very severely wounded by a shell fragment.

[walt323]

[walt323]

I believe Sgt. Strickland is on the right in this picture.

[walt323]

this picture is in Germany on occupation duty.

[tdogchristy90]

Would anyone happen to know why a wound document would say Pvt. when as best I can figure the soldier was a Sergeant? Thanks.

[bobgee]

Would anyone happen to know why a wound document would say Pvt. when as best I can figure the soldier was a Sergeant? Thanks.

Either a simple error in transcribing or the soldier was a Pvt when wounded and advanced to Sgt later. My 2-cents. Bobgee

[kfields]

Here is a STATE killed in action certificate issued by the Adjutant of the State of Ohio. It came in the period frame. When I bought it at the monthly flea market in Urbana, Ohio, I remember thinking that Private Joseph Burley's unit (Camp Jackson September Replacement Draft, Battery 4, Field Artillery) as typed on the certificate was odd but thought there was probably more of a story behind it. Plus at $10 or $15 and the fact I never had seen one of these before, I bought it.

A little research revealed an interesting history. Private Burley was killed in action when the ship he was aboard, the USS Ticonderoga, was sunk by the deck gun of U-152 after a furious hours long battle. The sinking of the Ticonderoga resulted in the highest loss of loss by the Navy during WW1. The Ticonderoga's captain received the MOH for his actions, I think the only MOH issued to a Navy man during the war.

[tdogchristy90]

Either a simple error in transcribing or the soldier was a Pvt when wounded and advanced to Sgt later. My 2-cents. Bobgee

That's my thought. He's the only one in his unit with his exact name. (Obviously...it'd be extremely rare i'd think for two people to have the exact same name and be in the exact same unit). While I'm getting Pvt and sergeant in my search, I'm leaning to it being an error.

[kfields]

xxxx

[The CoPilot]

xxxx

If you havent already done so, get the acidic corrugated cardboard backing out of that frame and replace it with an acid free backing like museum board. Those vertical lines on the face of the document were caused by the acidic cardboard. Youll never get rid of the lines, but you will have at least have removed the source of the damage.

[kfields]

Yep, did it already.

[tdogchristy90]

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this mentioned somewhere. Can someone refresh my memory on what the different types of certificates mean? I believe there are 3 types for different situations, i.e., Wounded, Killed in Action, died in service (disease)….or am I mistaken in my thinking?

[bertmedals]

On 11/1/2008 at 6:14 PM, kfields said:

Here's a certficate I picked up on a local guy. Named to Walter Reasch, Hq Company, 322nd FA. He was wounded severely on October 23, 1918. He was in the same artillery regiment as my grandfather. The 3 medals were pinned to the parchment and framed this way so I left it just the way I acquired it. I did a little research on this guy and found a copy of the Croix de Guerre orders where he was awarded the medal. The order is dated April 27, 1919. Kinda cool! Kim

Kim,

I just discovered this thread. The group to Walter Reasch is excellent and perhaps unusual.  The medal in the center appears to be the Honor Medal presented by the Army and Navy Club of Akron, Ohio.  According to Richard Planck's book "State, County, City, and Organization Medals for World War One" (page 70), this medal was presented to the mothers of soldiers killed or wounded in WW1.  It is difficult to see in the picture but could you confirm that the word "Akron" is on the bottom arm of the cross?

 

It also appears that Walter Reasch may have had 2 brothers who also served in the Army in WW1 one of whom was also in the 83rd DIvision (330th Inf).

 

I'm attaching pictures of the front and back of one of the examples of the Akron Army and Navy Club medal I have in my collection for reference.

 

Thanks,

Dennis

[kfields]

11 hours ago, bertmedals said:

Kim,

I just discovered this thread. The group to Walter Reasch is excellent and perhaps unusual.  The medal in the center appears to be the Honor Medal presented by the Army and Navy Club of Akron, Ohio.  According to Richard Planck's book "State, County, City, and Organization Medals for World War One" (page 70), this medal was presented to the mothers of soldiers killed or wounded in WW1.  It is difficult to see in the picture but could you confirm that the word "Akron" is on the bottom arm of the cross?

 

It also appears that Walter Reasch may have had 2 brothers who also served in the Army in WW1 one of whom was also in the 83rd DIvision (330th Inf).

 

I'm attaching pictures of the front and back of one of the examples of the Akron Army and Navy Club medal I have in my collection for reference.

 

Thanks,

Dennis

Hi Dennis, yes it does say AKRON on the bottom. I've never taken out of the frame to see the reverse for fear of causing damage.

Thanks for the history lesson of how they were issued.  Kim

Here's a closer look:

[bertmedals]

49 minutes ago, kfields said:

Hi Dennis, yes it does say AKRON on the bottom. I've never taken out of the frame to see the reverse for fear of causing damage.

Thanks for the history lesson of how they were issued.  Kim

Here's a closer look:

KIm,

Thanks for the response and close up picture.  I've been interested in the geographic extent of the presentations of these medals and the circumstances of and criteria (if any existed) for presentations to the mothers of soldiers outside of Akron.  I've seen only a couple that can be attributed to mothers of soldiers not from Akron including yours.  Both the soldiers were decorated for valor which may  be the answer.

Dennis

[Rakkasan187]

Here is a memorial certificate signed by General John Pershing. The Soldier, Private Ludwig Dornak was with the 9th Infantry Regiment, Machine Gun Company, 2nd Division. He was killed on October 6, 1918.

 

Leigh 

 

 

[Colt.45-94]

Bumping this thread, I recently picked up one of these. Named to a "Clarence McDowell", KIA. I can't really read the rest. (I'm terrible with cursive) but I can make out "HQ Co" or Headquarters Company?

[carthage light guard]

My guess is Clarence McGown, from Gorham, New Hampshire, a member of Headquarters Company, 148th Infantry, 37th Division.  He's on Find A Grave as Clarence W. MacGown.  His headstone states he died of wounds on November 5, 1918 in Belgium.