MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Share #1 Posted October 18, 2021 All, I was contacted several weeks ago by a gentlemen who was in possession of a grouping to a vet who served in the 501st PIR during WWII. Individual was hired to do a house cleanout, where all items were to be discarded. He thought these items were worth saving. Items belonged to Col. Clair L. Hess, who later in life lived not far from me in King of Prussia, PA (about a 20min drive). This group is document heavy, detailing his service which spanned from 1942 to his retirement in 1969. Hess was wounded twice during WWII; once on D-Day and a second time in Holland during Market Garden. Hess continued his service through Bastogne, and was eventually sent stateside in February 1945 to tour local factories as part of the War Bond effort. Period video at the link featuring Hess, where he narrates and discusses his time in Bastogne - Bastogne: Presenting Lt. Clair Hess He was called up again during Korea where he was a Counter Intelligence Officer with X Corps. Lots of N. Korean propaganda leaflets included with the group. He continued service post-Korean war service stateside, and again back in Korea with the UNC as a Nuclear Weapons Employment Officer, where he provided policy guidance pertaining to the use of nuclear weapons. Later, he was a Professor of Military Sciences for the ROTC program at the University of Pennsylvania. He finished his career as Chief of Counterintelligence and Security Branch J-2 with the US European Command (1966-1969). For this service, he received the Legion of Merit. First up, a few photos of Hess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #2 Posted October 18, 2021 Hess's medals, and accompanying documents Purple Heart Original Western Union Telegram for wounds received on D-Day Letter to Hess' Mother Copy of GO Original Western Union telegram for wounds received during Market Garden (9-23-1944) Bronze Stars - 1st is Government Engraved Copy of GO for 2nd Bronze Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted October 18, 2021 1950's era ARCOM Legion of Merit - Government Engraved Copy of Certificate for Legion of Merit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #4 Posted October 18, 2021 101st Patch Quilted 501st Banner I assume made specifically for Hess (2 Arrowheads and Senior Parachutist Badge). Unsure as to when (assuming later). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted October 18, 2021 Unopened NS Meyer Colonel Rank Insignia Commemorative plate/award for Hess service with J-2 Division Award commemorating Hess' service at U of PA ROTC And a Doubles Handball Trophy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #6 Posted October 18, 2021 Various photos taken during Hess' service, mainly during WWII. Some nice shots of fresh M42 Jump Uniforms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted October 18, 2021 These were originally negatives that I converted to digital photos. Some were in rough shape, and appear very grainy. Combo of photos from WWII and I believe Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #8 Posted October 18, 2021 Various newspaper articles mentioning Hess. Covers WWII and post-war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted October 18, 2021 501st Christmas Dinner Program - 1943 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #10 Posted October 18, 2021 Hess' Discharge paperwork - 1945 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #11 Posted October 18, 2021 Military ID's Map of Korea. I assume he carried this during his service during the war? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #12 Posted October 18, 2021 Various original North Korean propaganda leaflets. Hess was counterintelligence, so makes sense he had these. Not pictured are sheets of English translations of some of the leaflets. Nothing to tell me what matches up with what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #13 Posted October 18, 2021 Retirement orders - 1969 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #14 Posted October 18, 2021 A few bring backs - Heer and HJ Belt Buckles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #15 Posted October 18, 2021 Hess' transcribed diary that he kept. This covers November 7th 1944 through February 26th 1945, his return stateside. Amazing stuff!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #16 Posted October 18, 2021 Some good details on his service timeline - Resume and application Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #17 Posted October 18, 2021 Booklets presented to Hess for his various tours after returning stateside in February 1945. These are in PDF format as they are very picture heavy. Album Unknown.pdf 488135257_LaborManagementTour.pdf 1560636684_RCAFactoryTour.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #18 Posted October 18, 2021 Thanks, all, for looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted October 18, 2021 Share #19 Posted October 18, 2021 Well documented collection congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postmanusnac Posted October 18, 2021 Share #20 Posted October 18, 2021 Wow to think it was all supposed to be trashed. Glad all this history has not been lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted October 18, 2021 Share #21 Posted October 18, 2021 Great haul. Are you Still local to me ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share #22 Posted October 18, 2021 Thanks, all! Appreciate the kind words. @scottplenYessir, still living in SE PA (North Wales). Seller was from Horsham, and responded to an add I run in local FB buy/sell groups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted October 18, 2021 Share #23 Posted October 18, 2021 3 minutes ago, MasonK said: Thanks, all! Appreciate the kind words. @scottplenYessir, still living in SE PA (North Wales). Seller was from Horsham, and responded to an add I run in local FB buy/sell groups. Nice ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 18, 2021 Share #24 Posted October 18, 2021 VERY nice! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted October 18, 2021 Share #25 Posted October 18, 2021 Great save. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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