Graybeard Posted March 10, 2018 Share #1 Posted March 10, 2018 Hello. I purchased this group of medals recently thinking they belonged to Maj. E.L. Messler, 21st Engineers, USA, as named on the SAR medal. After some research on him, I discovered he had a son serving at the same time in the 1st Gas & Flame regiment, Co. B, named Thomas D. Messler. He was wounded and gassed and also received a Croix de Guerre. Those two medals, if ever issued, are unfortunately missing. Thomas also served in the Marines during WW2. If anyone has any knowledge of these gentlemen or recommendations on how to find out more about them, please let me know. I have only been able to locate Thomas' grave marker in Florida, a reference about him in a book on the Gas & Flame regiment and a short biography on his father in a Yale alumni article. thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CjVl Posted March 11, 2018 Share #2 Posted March 11, 2018 Just a Start Thomas . Enlistment Date:13 Nov 1917 Release Date:21 Jul 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graybeard Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted March 11, 2018 Thank you sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettow Posted March 11, 2018 Share #4 Posted March 11, 2018 Lots of docs for both on ancestry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettow Posted March 11, 2018 Share #5 Posted March 11, 2018 Is the British War Medal impressed on the rim? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graybeard Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted March 11, 2018 The War Medal is not impressed which surprised me when I first received them. Maybe American recipients didn't receive engraved medals? And, I don't know if it was awarded to the father or son, I am guessing the father as he was an officer. Appreciate the image of the enlistment card! I will check out Ancestry this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
44-63963 Posted March 14, 2018 Share #7 Posted March 14, 2018 Wow ,i have never seen a group like this before, father in son, great find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettow Posted March 14, 2018 Share #8 Posted March 14, 2018 Americans were not authorized to receive the BWM unless they served in the British military. A member of the American military serving with a British unit would not be eligible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graybeard Posted March 15, 2018 Author Share #9 Posted March 15, 2018 Good to know so that means the medal may be an add on, given by an aquaintance, who knows? Thanks for the insight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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