COL JOHN J. CHRISTY

[BEAST]

This was part of a grouping that was brought into a local coin shop. Unfortunately the owner was waiting for the daughter of the vet to sell everything before he would sell it. I guess he got tired of waiting as he decided to break it up without letting me know. Luckily I was able to pick up his uniform and portrait, but his medals and WWII insignia are still out there somewhere.

 

 

COL John J. Christy entered the Army in 1938 and served as the Company Commander of the 314th Inf during 1942. After going to the Infantry School, he was assigned as the XO of the 3rd BN, 342nd Infantry. He remained with the 342nd INF until Nov 1944 when he was assigned as the CO of Co. L, 101st INF Regt. In Jan 1945 he becam ethe XO of 3rd Bn, 101st INF and then became the BN CO of the 1st BN, 101st INF.

 

After the war, he became a Public Information Officer and continued in that field for the majority of his career. In 1965, he became the first commandant of the Defense Information School (DINFOS) located at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He retired from active duty in November of 1969.

 

Christy was awarded the DSC for his action taken during December 1944 in Luxembourg. The following is a copy of his citation:

 

 

I believe that this portrait of COL Christy hung at DINFOS at Fort Harrison:

[BEAST]

These are his dress blues. I believe these are from his time in Hawaii (1955-1958).

 

[BEAST]

A closer look at his insignia and ribbon rack. Although he doesn't have his campaign stars or other devices, I am confident that these are the original ribbons. The way I bought this uniform is the same way that I saw it hanging in the coin shop shortly after the daughter brought it in. However this may be the ribbon rack that he wore after he retired as he was still active with the DINFOS alumni association.

 

 

 

 

 

I am still trying to locate his other insignia and medals. Hopefully they will show up on eBay or at a local military show. If anyone here runs across them, please let me know! Thank you for looking!

[S1991]

Verry nice new grouping you've got there Beast !

I hope you'll find the remaining insignia and medals. If you may ever part it?

 

Silvano

[usmcraidergirl]

AMAZING uniform! I'm so happy to got such a great piece!

 

Hopefully some day you can reunite the group. But even if you never do, this piece alone is a show stopper.

[BEAST]

Silvano, USMCRAIDERGIRL,

Thank you both for the kind words! I was very happy to get this one, and with a little bit of luck I will be able to pick up more of his items. I have been watching eBay and hopefully will be able to attend a local show incase anything shows up.

[BEAST]

I am very pleased to announce that, with the help of a fellow forum member, I was able to reunite one of COL Christy's medals with this group. COL Christy was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal when he retired from the Defense Information School (DINFOS), where he served as its first Commandant from 1964 to 1969. The DSM is marked HLP-GI (His Lordship Products) and is engraved with his name.

 

[BEAST]

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[BEAST]