Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Share #1 Posted June 13, 2010 I'm pretty excited today because I closed the deal for this group. Another collector picked it up from the man's family, and graciously agreed to sell it to me. Sgt John Gleason served throughout the war with Company C of the 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Bn, 2nd Armored Division. He fought in the Torch landings, Sicily and western Europe. He was awarded the Silver Star in Sicily and the Purple Heart in Belgium. He was also awarded two Bronze Stars, one for service during the war and another (engraved) for his CIB in 1947. The exceptional thing about the group is the Silver Star. It is one of the early BB&B examples w/ the serial number reflected in the citation, so this is the medal he was actually presented in Sicily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share #2 Posted June 13, 2010 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted June 13, 2010 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted June 13, 2010 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted June 13, 2010 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted June 13, 2010 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted June 13, 2010 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted June 13, 2010 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share #9 Posted June 13, 2010 Cases, including the early untitled one for the BB&B Silver Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baker Posted June 13, 2010 Share #10 Posted June 13, 2010 Hey Andy, That is one sweet grouping. Those numbered and ID'd Silver Stars are so nice. Congratulations!! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWalsh Posted June 13, 2010 Share #11 Posted June 13, 2010 A really nice group Andy! Your guy was either crazy brave, had a death wish, etc... Reading that one citation, I bet his other crew members HATED him for always volunteering Then again, maybe they viewed it as the ultimate game of cat & mouse, maybe they just felt strongly about doing their duty, but geez! Surprising he survived the war though. Gotta love that untitled case and early Silver Star - right on the mark for an action that early in the war. MW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted June 13, 2010 Thanks....yes, that is one of the things that really drew me to the group. Something tells me Sgt Gleason was one tough, Irish m!@#$%^&*()r I love the newspaper pic w/ the Thompson SMG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted June 13, 2010 Share #13 Posted June 13, 2010 Great Grouping and well documented. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Nier Posted June 14, 2010 Share #14 Posted June 14, 2010 Your SSM #23414 is the first one reported to me in the 23xxx range. My data table of numbered & attributed WW2 Silver Stars now has 192 entries, of which 98 are BB&B models. Interestingly, there are seven SSM in the 24xxx range, all issued by the 9th Inf. Division for Tunisia. But there are also no SS medals reported so far in the 25xxx range. It appears that most of the 16xxx and 35xxx SSM blocks were retained for late awards to WW1 veteran applicants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share #15 Posted June 14, 2010 Tom, thanks...that is interesting. Here is a link to a 24 block SS from my collection. As you said, 9th Infantry Division in Tunisia. Interesting that the 23s appear to have been issued later than the 24s http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...1&hl=alonzo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROY222 Posted June 14, 2010 Share #16 Posted June 14, 2010 Wow that is one of the nicest Silver Star medals I have seen. Great find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now