dpast32 Posted January 21, 2020 Share #1 Posted January 21, 2020 Hello Folks, I have a question that at 1st thought may appear quite academic, but I've looked through much of m reference, & just seem to turn up anything ? My question is; 'Would it be somewhat irregular for a September 1943 KIA Purple Heart to be without a rim number' ? [ Just for the record, he was an SWPA casualty. As far I can discern, he was a straight KIA, not DOW or MIA, which might have possibly delayed his Heart being authorized. ] As I thought back on many of my Heart's, I can't seem to recall much rhyme for reason regarding whether a rim number is present or not. The only thing that prompted me to ask here was the fact of It's KIA date does seem rather early, & I've always 'assumed' the the earlier Hearts were more likely to be numbered, as opposed to not ? If anyone has any information, & or comments regarding this issue, I would deeply appreciate hearing from them. THANK YOU Best, dpast32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted January 21, 2020 Share #2 Posted January 21, 2020 I have a PH to a man wounded on Attu in May of 1943. It is properly named but not numbered. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdogchristy90 Posted January 21, 2020 Share #3 Posted January 21, 2020 I'm going to take a shot at this, but an expert might give more insight. From my understanding it was all somewhat random. While the earlier Hearts were indeed numbered and later war Hearts forgo the number system, they simply just pulled from the pile and you received what you received. You also have to remember just because he died in 1943 doesn't mean his heart was given out that fast. Maybe it took time to get it to his family and as such it's a later issue Heart. Do you have any paperwork from his file that dates when it was presented to the family? I've seen Hearts given out in 1945 which were numbered, for example. Maybe this will help and someone else can give more clarity. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 21, 2020 Share #4 Posted January 21, 2020 It is not an issue to have a Purple Heart to a 1943 KIA without a number. I am assuming it is hand engraved? Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpast32 Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted January 21, 2020 Hi Guys, Many thanks for the replies. Yup, it's hand engraved, at least as far as I'm concerned. The Heart I'm referring to us the Adam Dickson Jr., Heart that was just offered for sale here on the Forum. I have NO problem as far as it being legitimate, I was just curious as to why it was not rim #'d being such an early award ? The photos are most likely still available here, but if not I have them saved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdogchristy90 Posted January 21, 2020 Share #6 Posted January 21, 2020 Here you go Dom. Just for future reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpast32 Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted January 21, 2020 THANKS, I really appreciate it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpast32 Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted January 22, 2020 As we've all learned when dealing with Purple Hearts, many times there's no 'firm pattern' as far as rim numbers, broach types, & engraving. Yes, there are 'general patterns', although most could not be deemed as firm. As far as rim #'s go, this Post 's example should illustrate that fact nicely. Here's an September 1943 KIA that was not numbered, yet I have an USMC KIA from July 1966 that is rim numbered !! Best, dpast32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted January 22, 2020 Share #9 Posted January 22, 2020 As we've all learned when dealing with Purple Hearts, many times there's no 'firm pattern' as far as rim numbers, broach types, & engraving. Yes, there are 'general patterns', although most could not be deemed as firm. As far as rim #'s go, this Post 's example should illustrate that fact nicely. Here's an September 1943 KIA that was not numbered, yet I have an USMC KIA from July 1966 that is rim numbered !! Best, dpast32 I have had several Korean War and VN war early number types hearts to kias ! Guess what ever was at had ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermanus Posted January 22, 2020 Share #10 Posted January 22, 2020 I'm going to take a shot at this, but an expert might give more insight. From my understanding it was all somewhat random. While the earlier Hearts were indeed numbered and later war Hearts forgo the number system, they simply just pulled from the pile and you received what you received. You also have to remember just because he died in 1943 doesn't mean his heart was given out that fast. Maybe it took time to get it to his family and as such it's a later issue Heart. Do you have any paperwork from his file that dates when it was presented to the family? I've seen Hearts given out in 1945 which were numbered, for example. Maybe this will help and someone else can give more clarity. . 100 % correct. They just pulled a heart from the shelf without even bothering to look for a rim#. ..... and 75 plus years later our collector community is in search for a pattern which doesn't exist. Regards Herman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermanus Posted January 22, 2020 Share #11 Posted January 22, 2020 I'm going to take a shot at this, but an expert might give more insight. From my understanding it was all somewhat random. While the earlier Hearts were indeed numbered and later war Hearts forgo the number system, they simply just pulled from the pile and you received what you received. You also have to remember just because he died in 1943 doesn't mean his heart was given out that fast. Maybe it took time to get it to his family and as such it's a later issue Heart. Do you have any paperwork from his file that dates when it was presented to the family? I've seen Hearts given out in 1945 which were numbered, for example. Maybe this will help and someone else can give more clarity. . 100 % correct. They just pulled a heart from the shelf without even bothering to look for a rim#. ..... and 75 plus years later our collector community is in search for a pattern which doesn't exist. Regards Herman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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