A Merrill’s Marauder's Bringback from Burma

[kanemono]

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, 5^th 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.

 

 

 

[doyler]

Dick

 

Great group.Thanks for posting

[USCapturephotos]

Wow. What a group from a super unit. Thanks.

Paul

[Wake1941]

Fantastic group love the DUI, what is the cap insignia with the wreath and star ?

[kanemono]

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.

[Wake1941]

Thanks, I never knew that. Its a sweet grouping.

[katieony]

What a historical and interesting group! Thanks for sharing!

 

Mike