mvmhm Posted September 19, 2020 Share #1 Posted September 19, 2020 We've received something nearly every day this week - WWI infantry manual, WWII Marine uniform, B-52 Co-pilot's steering yoke and AGM-28 Bulldog wind tunnel model, a grouping to a 28 year- Army CW4 and a $500 donation (I told my lovely Bride that because of all this good luck, something horrible must be looming on the horizon...now I'm sure of it). Late today we received a call from a man who was concerned about what would happen to his stepfather's Purple Heart when he's gone and wanted to donate it to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share #2 Posted September 19, 2020 Private Christ K. Stamas, 1918. His family immigrated to the U.S. from Greece in 1907, and he received his naturalization papers the day after receiving his draft notice. He was assigned to Company L, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division in France. He was gassed on October 2nd, 1918. After the war, he relocated from Minnesota to Dayton Ohio. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Hellenic Post of the American Legion in Dayton. He died in November 1956. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted September 19, 2020 This photo is from the 1940s, probably before a parade - note the Purple Heart and World War I Victory Medal on his left breast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share #4 Posted September 19, 2020 Bill with his stepfather's medals; Bill is also a Veteran, having served in the Army between WWII and the Korean War as an armored crewman. Bill's father died of a heart attack when he was very young, leaving his mother to fend for herself and three children. Falling on hard times, they moved to Ohio, where his mother took up clothes cleaning. One of Christ's friends saw her and told him to introduce himself and the rest was history. Bill says his stepfather was a kind and loving father to all of them in spite of the terrible things he witnessed in the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted September 19, 2020 The medals out of the case; the Purple Heart is an early split wrap brooch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted September 19, 2020 If I recall correctly, the initial 1932 BB&B contract ended about 39XXX; since this is only 4,000 or so numbers off, I assume it was made in 1933/1934??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted September 19, 2020 Private Stamas wrote a book about his WWI service, which was published a year after his death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted September 19, 2020 I don't believe Bill still has his interment flag or Columbia Accolade; this photo was from the reverse of his book... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted September 19, 2020 ..and an original Certificate of Service to replace his lost discharge papers.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted September 19, 2020 Share #10 Posted September 19, 2020 Awesome way to continue the legacy of a man who was a hero in war and peace. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted September 19, 2020 Share #11 Posted September 19, 2020 Very nice ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmedals Posted September 19, 2020 Share #12 Posted September 19, 2020 Great group and I loved seeing it. Thanks for posting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67Rally Posted September 19, 2020 Share #13 Posted September 19, 2020 Thank you for telling such a fantastic story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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