WW1 1st Division Grouping with French Gold Life Saving medal

[nbolinger]

This group came out of a attic a few weeks ago to a Edward W Healy 125077 5th field artillery  , was surprised to find a french life saving medal in the group which its pure gold , the highest grade of the medal. Not sure if he was awarded it or picked it up as a souvenir during the war.

[nbolinger]

More

[nbolinger]

Pic 

[Basic Rifleman]

That life saving medal is gorgeous, and looks to be in fantastic shape as well. Great little group... I love this sort of stuff is still coming out of attics!

[BigJohn#3RD]

Very interesting grouping; I found some information on the French Life Saving Medal it is titled Honour medal for courage and devotion (French: "Médaille d’honneur pour acte de courage et de dévouement") is a French decoration than can be bestowed to individuals and whole units. Your version looks to be the second highest the Silver-gilt grade of the five awards.

 

Bronze grade: awarded if the rescuer exposed himself or herself to a life-threatening condition, or to lesser risk if previously awarded a letter of congratulations and an honorable mention.[2]

 

Silver grades 1st and 2nd class: awarded only if previously awarded the bronze grade following a new act of courage during a rescue. The two grades are awarded for successive acts of courage.[2]

 

Silver-gilt grade: awarded only for the most intrepid acts to the bearer of two silver grade medals.[2]

 

Gold grade: awarded as an outstanding testimony to a person having distinguished himself or herself through exceptional acts towards his or her fellow citizens.[2]

 

The Honour medal for courage and devotion may also be collectively awarded to emergency and rescue units where the personnel present during the rewarded acts may wear a tricolour (blue-white-red) fourragère.[1]

 

Information is located on the link below:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honour_medal_for_courage_and_devotio

 

Best regards,

John

[BigJohn#3RD]

Ancestry shows the following information on the soldier:

Ohio Military Men, 1917-18

Name:Edward W. Healy

Serial Number:125077

Race:White

Residence:6110 Sheridan Place, Cleveland, O.

Enlistment Division:Regular Army

Enlistment Location:Coumbus Barracks, O.

Enlistment Date:27 May 1917

Birth Place:Cleveland, O.

Birth Date / Age:19 6/12 Years

Assigns Comment:Battery F 5 Field Artillery to Discharge Private Montdidier-Noyon; Aisne-Marne; St Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector. American Expeditionary Forces 2 Aug 1917 to 5 Jan 1919. Honorable discharge 4 Feb 1919.

 

I believe you are correct in assuming that medal was picked it up as a souvenir. Are sure it is pure gold or silver gold plated?

Best regards,

John

[BigJohn#3RD]

 

8 minutes ago, BigJohn#3RD said:

Ancestry shows the following information on the soldier:

Ohio Military Men, 1917-18

Name:Edward W. Healy

Serial Number:125077

Race:White

Residence:6110 Sheridan Place, Cleveland, O.

Enlistment Division:Regular Army

Enlistment Location:Coumbus Barracks, O.

Enlistment Date:27 May 1917

Birth Place:Cleveland, O.

Birth Date / Age:19 6/12 Years

Assigns Comment:Battery F 5 Field Artillery to Discharge Private Montdidier-Noyon; Aisne-Marne; St Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector. American Expeditionary Forces 2 Aug 1917 to 5 Jan 1919. Honorable discharge 4 Feb 1919.

 

I believe you are correct in assuming that medal was picked it up as a souvenir. Are sure it is pure gold or silver gold plated?

Best regards,

John

 

[katieony]

A really nice little group!

[nbolinger]

Thank you very much for the information on him, thank you for the assistance.I had the medal tested twice just to make sure it's gold, it's really high karet gold. 

[GMPETE]

Lovely stuff!  What a super group.  You gotta love a cigar box cache.  My first exposure to militaria was the contents of a cigar box.  Great that 'Ted' felt the need to write what it was on the end.

[AustinO]

Great pickup Nole!  Love the early dogtags and "enlisted" arm band!

 

Though these guys are Battery D 5th FA, perhaps this is how he picked up the medal: 

 

[BigJohn#3RD]

43 minutes ago, AustinO said:

Great pickup Nole!  Love the early dogtags and "enlisted" arm band!

 

Though these guys are Battery D 5th FA, perhaps this is how he picked up the medal: 

 

Austin,

Great picture! Quite a few Colt 1911 45s around the game. Thanks for sharing the picture. I agree he picked it up sometime while overseas.

Best regards,

John

[KASTAUFFER]

Cool group Nole!

 

Kurt

[manayunkman]

Good hunting!!

[dskjl]

Super cool, the life saving medal is really something