kanemono Posted April 14, 2019 Share #1 Posted April 14, 2019 Here is a "bringback" than is very different than most of the items shown here. This painting on silk was rescued from a destroyed Buddhist temple in Burma by Gomer Spencer Hawk who was a member of Merrill’s Marauders. Hawk was born in Catawissa, Pennsylvania on October 7, 1920. He graduated from Catawissa High School in 1938. He worked in the textile industry in Catawissa before enlisting in the U.S. Army on March 12, 1940 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was assigned to Company B, 5th Infantry, Camp Paraiso, Canal Zone, Panama. On September 2, 1943 he volunteered for a nameless “dangerous and hazardous mission” with the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) under the command of Frank Dow Merrill. This unit code named Galahad, was to spearhead a U.S.-Chinese offensive across northern Burma. Known as Merrill’s Marauders the 5307th Composite Unit was a combat unit of less than 3,000 men from the 50 states. No other unit in annals of military history ever fought so long under such adverse conditions with only what they could carry on their backs or on mules and occasional resupply by airdrops. The marauders lived on inadequate emergency rations and continually fought malnutrition and exhaustion. Suffering from fevers, diarrhea, jungle rot, fungus, leach infections, was the norm. Merrill’s Marauders cleared the enemy out of Northern Burma and enabled a land route to be opened to China. Hawk returned to the United States on June 28, 1945. He went to college under the G.I. Bill and earned a degree as an engineer. On May 9, 1949 he sailed from New York, New York, to São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, on the S.S. Brazil. Gomer Spenser Hawk died on July 9, 1983 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) cap badge and Burma Star were given to Hawk in 1950 by Sergeant James Donald DCM. Sergeant James, a friend of Hawk's, was a member of the “Chindits” who served with Merrill’s Marauders. This unoffical “Burma Star” is named in the British manner, however, it is hand engraved not impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted April 14, 2019 Share #2 Posted April 14, 2019 Dick Great group.Thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted April 14, 2019 Share #3 Posted April 14, 2019 Wow. What a group from a super unit. Thanks. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wake1941 Posted April 14, 2019 Share #4 Posted April 14, 2019 Fantastic group love the DUI, what is the cap insignia with the wreath and star ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted April 14, 2019 Author Share #5 Posted April 14, 2019 The badge is a Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) cap badge, that and the Burma Star were given to Hawk in 1950 by Sergeant James Donald DCM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wake1941 Posted April 14, 2019 Share #6 Posted April 14, 2019 Thanks, I never knew that. Its a sweet grouping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted April 18, 2019 Share #7 Posted April 18, 2019 What a historical and interesting group! Thanks for sharing! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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