Posthumous 82nd Airborne Division Purple Heart

[BarriosMilitaria]

On this day 79 years ago, we remember the sacrifice of Private Mearl Chester Buffington who served with Anti-Tank Company, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. 

 

Mearl was born on April 28th, 1918, in Brazil, Indiana. His parents were Dora Tempton Buffington and Alpheus Bige Buffington. In later years, while working as an industrial mechanic, Mearl would marry his dear wife, Mary Buffington, and together, they had their son, Johnnie Dale Buffington. 

 

Mearl would be inducted into the US Army on March 10th, 1944, at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. After basic training, he would find himself assigned to Anti-Tank Company, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. As the war progressed, Mearl would find himself and the rest of the 82nd making their way through Germany. On April 20th, 1945, while fighting in Gymnich, Germany, Private Buffington was killed by the explosion of a mine which he was unloading from a trailer in a forward area. He would be laid to rest in Margraten, Holland. In 1948, he would be brought back home and reinterred in Old Union Cemetery in Lewis Township, Indiana, USA.

[hink441]

Very nice medal, thank you for sharing. 
 

Chris

[manayunkman]

Rest in peace glider rider.

[BarriosMilitaria]

Update: unfortunately, the PH engraving has been questioned by a few who I would consider experts regarding the subject. So unless proven authentic, I'll have to say it's a fake.

[CinamonToastCrunch]

Unfortunately I agree with your assessment the engraving is not accurate.  Looks like it was engraved to deceive.