bobgee Posted November 25, 2010 Share #1 Posted November 25, 2010 Upon seeing the the discussion on WWI Purple Heart medals to Aviation recipients resurface, I thought I'd share a recent acquisition. Obtained from an old collection along with the Col. Waltz group previously discussed, I have been awaiting the Award Cards from NARA St. Louis, Alas, they did not surface so more work will be required to find them. The medals, along with the original Pershing Commendation for Distinguished and Exceptional Gallantry, surfaced 20 - 25 years ago at a NE U.S. medal auction. The collector from whom I purchased them stated that he received them as shown with the patch (no glow), collars and ribbon bar. Each medal is correctly engraved and numbered. While the original document is dated "1919", I suspect this is in error and actually was produced in December 1918. The recipient was a Corporal who volunteered as an Observer/Gunner after the unit sustained heavy casualties. On 5 Nov 1918 during the last combat bombing mission of the war he and his pilot were flying in the "tail-end charlie" position when they were attacked by an overwhelming force of enemy aircraft. The recipient was wounded but managed to continue in action keeping the enemy aircraft at bay while destroying one which crashed in flames. He was recommended for a D.S.C. (his pilot received one) but his gallantry resulted in the silver citation star. More docs and photos follow. Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share #2 Posted November 25, 2010 The following are copied from the Battery Press reprint edition of the 20th Aero Squadron history. The story of the recipient and the mission are well-documented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted November 25, 2010 Some original 20th Aero Squadron pics which accompanied the group" Pilots & Observers Aircraft The recipient's pilot and "crew" Unfortunately he's not among them. Enjoy.....Happy TG Day! Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted November 25, 2010 Here's pics of the reverse of the SSM & PH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Boghots Posted November 25, 2010 Share #5 Posted November 25, 2010 That's a very nice grouping, Bob. - Thanks for posting it :thumbsup: Best regards, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted November 25, 2010 Share #6 Posted November 25, 2010 Bob:Thanks for sharing and have a great Thanksgiving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted November 25, 2010 The 20th Aero Squadron was part of the 1st Day Bombardment Group. Here are their insignia and Victory tallies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emccomas Posted November 25, 2010 Share #8 Posted November 25, 2010 Beautiful group and historical info. Thanks for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siling Posted November 25, 2010 Share #9 Posted November 25, 2010 Wonderful decorations! I congratulate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobza Posted November 25, 2010 Share #10 Posted November 25, 2010 Wow beautiful group ! congrats :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted November 25, 2010 Share #11 Posted November 25, 2010 Outstanding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 25, 2010 Share #12 Posted November 25, 2010 VERY nice Bob... I need to find some more of those old collections ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMPERIAL QUEST Posted November 30, 2010 Share #13 Posted November 30, 2010 Well Bob, as you know, I am not one to be at a loss for the gift of sappy and prolific ramblings when it comes to posting. However, you have managed to leave me completely speechless (well, almost). I will only say that this would be the find of a lifetime for me...wow... :salute: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted November 30, 2010 Share #14 Posted November 30, 2010 Bob, I missed this one! - What a wonderful group! Enlisted to boot. Very hard to find with VERY few valor awards given to non-officer flying personnel. The 20th was a great combat group. Hope you are doing well. Regards, Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted November 30, 2010 Share #15 Posted November 30, 2010 Nice!!! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted November 30, 2010 Share #16 Posted November 30, 2010 Whoa.... how did I miss this thread? Too much turkey? Superb medal group Bob, certainly not many enlisted Aero groups like this one, especially when you tip-in the original Pershing Certificate. Thx for sharing this with us Bob. s/f D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gauthieb3sxz Posted February 3, 2011 Share #17 Posted February 3, 2011 What are the chances that this RAY that I just bought online is the same ray from this grouping? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...RK%3AMEWNX%3AIT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted February 3, 2011 What are the chances that this RAY that I just bought online is the same ray from this grouping? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...RK%3AMEWNX%3AIT Nice image. It's possible that this fellow is Cpl.Raymond Alexander but this fellow is wearing an officer's flying coat and what appears to be leather puttees. Enlisted men would normally wear leg wraps. On the left side of the overseas cap there appears to be a Lt's bar which would rule out Alexander. Also, the date on the photo reverse is November 8th.......Alexander was wounded on the 5th so we have to wonder if he would up & about at the photo studio so soon. Thanks for sharing. Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gauthieb3sxz Posted February 8, 2011 Share #19 Posted February 8, 2011 Nice image. It's possible that this fellow is Cpl.Raymond Alexander but this fellow is wearing an officer's flying coat and what appears to be leather puttees. Enlisted men would normally wear leg wraps. On the left side of the overseas cap there appears to be a Lt's bar which would rule out Alexander. Also, the date on the photo reverse is November 8th.......Alexander was wounded on the 5th so we have to wonder if he would up & about at the photo studio so soon. Thanks for sharing.Bobgee Thanks for the informative reply. Is it possible he was given an officers flying coat after his action on the 5th? I scanned the image and am posting here for everyone to see. Maybe we can figure out who this mystery man is! He actually resembles Leslie Koepfgen - is there any way to get a higher res scan of Koepfgen to compare to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share #20 Posted May 17, 2011 I've resurrected this thread as I have finally gotten the Award Cards from NARA St. Louis via Forum member & Researcher, Adam R. Thanks Adam!!!! :thumbsup: Previous attempts to obtain them proved unsuccesful. Several interesting things are revealed. It appears to have taken over a year in 1918/19 to handle the recommendation for the DSC to Alexander. I had previously stated that the Pershing AEF Citation which is dated 8 December 1919 was likely a misprint. In fact that is the actual date of the Award, likely following a long consideration as there is reference made on the Silver Star citation card, "See 18th Ind. GHQ, AEF, Dec. 8, 1919" The certificate shown was sent to him on March 5, 1920. We also see the notation, "QMSO directed to send silver star 3-15-22" This refers to the actual silver device for wear on the Victory Medal. Not the medal as the medal was not yet in existance. There is no small SS on the Victory. It also suggests that he received a formal Silver Star citation document. If so, its wherabouts are unknown. I would like to see the paper trail on his original DSC nomination from HQ, 20th Aero Sq. through the final decision at GHQ, AEF. Unfortunately I have no idea if that file exists or where it might be. Think it would be an interesting read! He was awarded the Silver Star Medal on 11-28-32 and the Purple Heart on 3-21-33. Copies of the Award Cards follow: Thanks for looking..........Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted May 17, 2011 Share #21 Posted May 17, 2011 Bob, It's always satisfying to get the official paperwork for these WWI awards. I hope you have more good news in the next posts! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emccomas Posted November 21, 2011 Share #22 Posted November 21, 2011 Can you tell me the number on the PH? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted November 26, 2011 Share #23 Posted November 26, 2011 Very nice Bob. One rare group you have !! Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KySoldier Posted November 27, 2011 Share #24 Posted November 27, 2011 :thumbsup: Wow !!!!!! What a great grouping !!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
338thRCT Posted January 19, 2020 Share #25 Posted January 19, 2020 My daughters father-in-law gave me this picture yesterday. He had it packed in with some of his dad's old 1920's Indianapolis race car pics and knew nothing about it. I read some entries on the forum as to Raymond Alexander and I'm wondering if this might be him ie: Observer Wing on coat, enlisted collar devices, not sure of the ribbon though. Had sent a PM to Baker502 as to his opinion but haven't heard anything yet; then came across this posting. Close-up follows on next entry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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