Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the Engraved Silver Star Medal of Private First Class Eugene G. Nachtergaele, Company L, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division. This medal is very interesting, as according to the research provided, when the medal was first issued to Nachtergaele, his last name was misspelled, so he had the engraving worn down and privately engraved later.

Eugene George Nachtergaele was born on December 1st, 1897 in Brest, France, moving to the United States via the Port of New Orleans on March 7th, 1903, at the age of 4. Nachtergaele first enlisted in the Regular Army at Fort Slocum, New York on July 4th, 1916, at the age of 18. He was assigned to Company L, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division, going overseas on September 7th, 1917.

He fought in every major campaign of the Division and was awarded the Silver Star Citation in General Order 88, Headquarters, 2nd Division. He was also wounded while overseas, as his WWII Draft card lists that he has “Wounds received in last war”. Nachtergaele embarked from the port of Brest, France, his hometown, on September 8th, 1919, and was discharged on December 9th, but immediately reenlisted, this time in Battery E, 52nd Coastal Artillery. In fact, Nachergaele would remain in Federal service with the 52nd until he was finally discharged for good on July 22nd, 1938, at the rank of Sergeant. Nachtergaele passed away on December 22nd, 1956 at the age of 59.

The medal is in great condition and is marked as being a BB&B example, for the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., the most sought after maker of WWI Silver Star Medals. It is faintly numbered along the rim 5609, correct for a WWI Silver Star. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of his name, we were unable to find an exact citation for the awarding of this medal, but that information is certainly still out there somewhere.

This is a fantastic 2nd Division Silver Star Medal, ready for further research and display!