kkevin2004 Posted April 11, 2020 Share #1 Posted April 11, 2020 I recently acquired this named and numbered PH from a dealer. While I really wasn't in the market for another WWI PH, what piqued my interest on this one was the low number (#182). I have never seen a number this low and was curious if anyone on the forum personally owned or had ever seen one this low. Looking forward to things getting back to normal so I can get the "award card" pulled for this medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted April 11, 2020 Share #2 Posted April 11, 2020 Are you certain it's not for a soldier who served earlier than WW1?...Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted April 11, 2020 Bodes, I have an article in his local newspaper from 21 Feb 1919 as being "slightly wounded" so feel confident that this was awarded for WWI. Also, his WWI Victory Medal was part of the group. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted April 11, 2020 Share #4 Posted April 11, 2020 I have owned several Purple Hearts that were two digits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCR79 Posted April 11, 2020 Share #5 Posted April 11, 2020 Saw this pair on Baystates List - Nice Purchase I once owned PH Number 24 Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted April 11, 2020 Mr. Robert, That's impressive! I know MacArthur received number 1, but was there any rhyme or reason why numbers were assigned or was it first come first serve? Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted April 11, 2020 Thanks, Bill! Also, very impressive. Would love to see a pic of #24 if you have one. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted April 11, 2020 Share #8 Posted April 11, 2020 I think as they received requests, they were issued out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted April 11, 2020 Share #9 Posted April 11, 2020 I thought I had a low one at #224 but at least it was a MSCC issued medal. Yours is especially good because it was awarded to someone in the ambulance service (if I remember correctly). The very low number is a bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share #10 Posted April 11, 2020 I thought I had a low one at #224 but at least it was a MSCC issued medal. Yours is especially good because it was awarded to someone in the ambulance service (if I remember correctly). The very low number is a bonus. Yes, he was Ambulance Service. What does MSCC stand for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share #11 Posted April 11, 2020 I think as they received requests, they were issued out. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFloyd Posted April 11, 2020 Share #12 Posted April 11, 2020 Yes, he was Ambulance Service. What does MSCC stand for? MSCC - Meritorious Service Citation Certificate. I owned PH #100 (with small olc), which was for a wound received in the Philippines. In 1932, he was a colonel in the War Department, so he knew about the issue when it happened. This came with Silver Star #534 (with small olc), also for the Philippines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted April 11, 2020 Share #13 Posted April 11, 2020 PH's in three digits are rare and Noble's #182 is a nice complete group. For what it is worth, and only because the OP has invited our input (I am not trying to hijack this post), here is PH #81 awarded to then 2nd Lt. Lawrence A. Quinn for wounds on Oct. 6, 1918 with the 2nd Division. The number 81 is stamped on both sides of the medal for some reason. Along side it is PH #104296 awarded when Lawrence A. Quinn, now a Colonel, was KIA November 5, 1942 in New Guinea while in command of the 126th Regiment, 32nd Division. Once again, thanks for posting #182. If it was to a New Yorker I would have been competing for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share #14 Posted April 11, 2020 MSCC - Meritorious Service Citation Certificate. I owned PH #100 (with small olc), which was for a wound received in the Philippines. In 1932, he was a colonel in the War Department, so he knew about the issue when it happened. This came with Silver Star #534 (with small olc), also for the Philippines. Thanks for the clarification for MSCC. So #100 was awarded for wounds in the Philippines. I think the low number of mine was why Bodes was thinking #182 may have been awarded earlier than WW1. Good info! PH's in three digits are rare and Noble's #182 is a nice complete group. For what it is worth, and only because the OP has invited our input (I am not trying to hijack this post), here is PH #81 awarded to then 2nd Lt. Lawrence A. Quinn for wounds on Oct. 6, 1918 with the 2nd Division. The number 81 is stamped on both sides of the medal for some reason. Along side it is PH #104296 awarded when Lawrence A. Quinn, now a Colonel, was KIA November 5, 1942 in New Guinea while in command of the 126th Regiment, 32nd Division. Once again, thanks for posting #182. If it was to a New Yorker I would have been competing for it. Q1.jpg Q3.jpg Q4.jpg No worries about hijacking my post. This is exactly what I wanted to see-examples of low number PH's. What a rarity to have two Purple Hearts named to the same individual from two different wars, with one an ultra low number and the other a KIA Colonel. Fantastic group you have there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted April 13, 2020 Share #15 Posted April 13, 2020 Kevin, when the Purple Heart was re-created in 1932 the intent was to create an award "for merit". Being wounded was secondary. My Heart #224 was awarded to an artillery captain in WW1 who distinguished himself. He was awarded the medal for merit and that's how we get the MSCC. He wasn't wounded, it was awarded for Meritorious Service. One estimate is that there were only around 1500 MSCC Hearts awarded before the Purple Heart became exclusively an award for wounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted April 13, 2020 Share #16 Posted April 13, 2020 Kevin, when the Purple Heart was re-created in 1932 the intent was to create an award "for merit". Being wounded was secondary. My Heart #224 was awarded to an artillery captain in WW1 who distinguished himself. He was awarded the medal for merit and that's how we get the MSCC. He wasn't wounded, it was awarded for Meritorious Service. One estimate is that there were only around 1500 MSCC Hearts awarded before the Purple Heart became exclusively an award for wounds. Being wounded was deemed a meritous act, hence those WIA's from previous wars could apply for the medal....Since there were no awards at that time for receiving war wounds, the PH took up the role...Having said this, PH's awarded for incidences not involving wounds are rare and desirable....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roystone Posted April 14, 2020 Share #17 Posted April 14, 2020 Just to add to the low numbered PH thread... PH No.192 issued to Donald Lee Lester, Co.L 109th Inf (PA) reported missing/wounded around 15 July 1918 Marne, returned recovered later POW. Bearing in mind Co.L's stalwart defense of their salient during hand to hand fighting, for me anyway it's a meritorious award! (part of a larger grouping of other brother's WW1 and father's Civil War medals) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted April 15, 2020 Author Share #18 Posted April 15, 2020 Kevin, when the Purple Heart was re-created in 1932 the intent was to create an award "for merit". Being wounded was secondary. My Heart #224 was awarded to an artillery captain in WW1 who distinguished himself. He was awarded the medal for merit and that's how we get the MSCC. He wasn't wounded, it was awarded for Meritorious Service. One estimate is that there were only around 1500 MSCC Hearts awarded before the Purple Heart became exclusively an award for wounds. Being wounded was deemed a meritous act, hence those WIA's from previous wars could apply for the medal....Since there were no awards at that time for receiving war wounds, the PH took up the role...Having said this, PH's awarded for incidences not involving wounds are rare and desirable....Bodes Thanks to you guys for the explanation of receiving the PH for meritous acts, and not strictly for being wounded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted April 15, 2020 Author Share #19 Posted April 15, 2020 Just to add to the low numbered PH thread... PH No.192 issued to Donald Lee Lester, Co.L 109th Inf (PA) reported missing/wounded around 15 July 1918 Marne, returned recovered later POW. Bearing in mind Co.L's stalwart defense of their salient during hand to hand fighting, for me anyway it's a meritorious award! (part of a larger grouping of other brother's WW1 and father's Civil War medals) Thanks for sharing a pic of your PH that is so close in number to the one I posted. I agree, whether it is labeled as an award of merit, it should be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 15, 2020 Share #20 Posted April 15, 2020 Here is an article from 1917. Looks like he may have been Ambulance Service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted April 19, 2020 Author Share #21 Posted April 19, 2020 Here is an article from 1917. Looks like he may have been Ambulance Service. KASTAUFFER, Thanks for the info. When I bought it, the thought was that he was Ambulance Service, but this confirms it. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam R Posted December 2, 2020 Share #22 Posted December 2, 2020 Here's the VA card on Noble that gives a bit more info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted December 2, 2020 Share #23 Posted December 2, 2020 Very nice ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkevin2004 Posted December 4, 2020 Author Share #24 Posted December 4, 2020 Adam, Many thanks for the information on Pvt Noble. Where did you find the database for the VA card? Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted December 6, 2020 Share #25 Posted December 6, 2020 Here is the certificate awarded for Meritorious Service which became a Meritorious Purple Heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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