GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Share #1 Posted October 21, 2018 This grouping escalated quickly. It started with the below named Purple Heart on eBay. The seller had a low starting price but accepted BINs. I threw in an offer and forgot about it over the course of the work day. Checked my email later, and the seller put in a counter-offer, which I accepted. It wasn't until that time that I looked at his other auctions and noticed the other military items were WWI USMC-related. Through conversation with the seller I ascertained that the items all belonged to the same vet, and that the seller was working with the family to liquidate the estate. I expressed my desire to keep the items together and we worked out a price for all the items. Just with those, I thought I had saved an excellent WWI Marine Corps group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted October 21, 2018 The seller came back a day or so later asking if I was interested in WWI photos. At first, I thought he was just trying to sell all his military stuff off eBay. Turns out, it was a disintegrating photo album to the Marine, so we added that to the group. Next day, he came back with a newspaper article bearing a photo of the vet that discussed him being wounded along with some miscellaneous metal insignia. I don't know if anything else will turn up, but I am pretty happy to have saved a pretty substantial group. I hope you enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted October 21, 2018 His Good Conduct Medal is numbered. I believe the 104 pin is a company he was in, judging from inscriptions in the photo album. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted October 21, 2018 Someone professionally framed the Petain certificate as well as this service certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted October 21, 2018 This gives an idea on how big the photo album is. I will post some highlights to the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted October 21, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted October 21, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #8 Posted October 21, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #9 Posted October 21, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #10 Posted October 21, 2018 Sorry for the double post above. Below is the service certificate I referenced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #11 Posted October 21, 2018 I think that's it for now. Thanks for looking! If anything else comes up I'll be sure to add it. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warguy Posted October 21, 2018 Share #12 Posted October 21, 2018 Kyle, that is a great save and wonderful collection. WWI Marine groupings are so tough to find. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
French Sam Posted October 21, 2018 Share #13 Posted October 21, 2018 Congrats ! Great group !!! FS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Linz Posted October 21, 2018 Share #14 Posted October 21, 2018 Beautiful and very complete WWI Marine Corps group. Could you tell me what the number is on his good conduct medal? Thank you. Semper Fi, Bruce Linz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 21, 2018 Share #15 Posted October 21, 2018 Very nice, Kyle!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share #16 Posted October 21, 2018 Thanks, all! Bruce - His GCM is No. 24431. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devildog34 Posted October 22, 2018 Share #17 Posted October 22, 2018 Outstanding group. Azzie Hurst 43rd Co. 2nd Bn 5th Marines was wounded by a gunshot wound to the left forearm Oct. 4, 1918 at Blanc Mont when the 5th Marines assaulted through 'The Box' it was the worst single day loss for the Marine Corps in WWI, surpassing even June 6, 1918. 2/5 led the assault and suffered horrendous casualties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted October 22, 2018 Share #18 Posted October 22, 2018 Kyle, Great group and appreciate you sharing your latest find. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted October 22, 2018 Share #19 Posted October 22, 2018 Great to see that you were able to keep the group together...congratulations! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted October 22, 2018 Share #20 Posted October 22, 2018 Nice work and congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 22, 2018 Author Share #21 Posted October 22, 2018 Thanks all - DevilDog- much appreciate your information on the vet and the attack in which he was wounded. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightn5th Posted October 23, 2018 Share #22 Posted October 23, 2018 Awesome find!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 23, 2018 Share #23 Posted October 23, 2018 Excellent save Kyle! I love these kind of stories, Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mes Posted October 23, 2018 Share #24 Posted October 23, 2018 Great Group. Really nice work to keep this Marine's history together Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share #25 Posted October 23, 2018 Many thanks all. I collect neither USMC or WWI, so it's been fun to look through this history. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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