WWII 5Th AAF 1942 Meritorious Service Purple Heart Group

[KASTAUFFER]

This is a very unique group. This recipient of the Purple heart earned his 1st Purple Heart for meritorious service in Java in 1942, and earned his OLC for wounds received in the skies over Europe in 1944.

 

He began the war as an enlisted man, flying with both the 7th BG and 19th BG in the opening days of the war in the Pacific earning the Silver Star, DFC, and a Purple Heart. 

 

Once he had completed his tour in the Pacific , he came back to the the USA and became a Pilot and an officer.  He was WIA while flying a mission with the 491st BG, 8th Air Force in October 1944. He never earned an Air Medal.

 

The SIlver Star and DFC are BOTH officially engraved. Early in 1943 the AAF officially engraved DFCs with the date of the GO below "AC".  

 

The Purple Heart is from the 1940 ( NOT 1939) Metal Arts contract with the distinctive folded over brooch. I have included a copy of a contract label to illustrate this.  He would have received this medal in the field after he was awarded it. 

Overall, a very unusual group.

[tdogchristy90]

Great looking group, Kurt!

[katieony]

Kurt,

 

A really interesting and unique group!

 

Mike