Original Signed Limited Edition Print: “Of Their Own Accord: Merrill’s Marauders in Burma” by James Dietz Signed by 3 Marauders with Certificate of Authenticity - 22 x 26¾” - 61/750
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Original Item. Only One Available. This is a signed print of “Of Their Own Accord: Merrill’s Marauders in Burma” by James Dietz. The print is signed at the bottom by James Dietz, the artist, Captain Phil Piazza, 2nd Battalion, Sergeant Major Ray Lyons of HQ, 5307th, and Ray H. (last name difficult to read) of the 2nd Battalion HQ, 5307th. This is a limited run print, 61/750, a very early number.
The print comes with an 8½ x 11” certificate of authenticity which explains the context of the pint and numbers it correctly at the bottom as #61 out of 750 signed and numbered prints.
Philip Piazza passed up a college basketball scholarship to enlist in the Army-a year before the attack on Pearl Harbor. His first duty stations were in the Caribbean and Central America, where serving in the jungle prepped him for his ultimate mission in World War II, with Merrill's Marauders in the China-Burma-India Theater. Piazza points out that, in addition to enduring abominable living conditions for months, the Marauders were up against Japanese Imperial Marines, an elite fighting unit. Piazza suffered a wound that required he be evacuated from the field, a risky maneuver in the dense jungle. His mother received three telegrams about his status; in the first, he was reported killed in action, in the second he was only missing, and the third got it right. Piazza became president of the Merrill's Marauders Association, which held annual meetings for over 50 years after the war.
Raymond Vincent Lyons served as a Staff Sergeant in the 5307th Composite Unit of the US Army (Merrills Mauraders) during World War II and was retired as Postmaster of Ridgewood, NJ. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Knights of Columbus.
We are unsure about the identify of the 3rd marauder, a good research project! The print is in great overall condition without any serious issues.
This is a tremendous print, ready to be framed and displayed!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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