Original Grouping. One-of-a-Kind. This is a lovely 32nd Division Purple Heart medal issued in 1943 to Lawrence Treadwell, along with his ribbon, lapel pin, presentation case, and 1939-issued Social Security card. All this comes with a packet of printed research documents, mostly morning reports. Treadwell was wounded in the right arm on November 10th, 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, requiring several operations in France and back home. 

Treadwell’s WWI Award Card notes that he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal on 5/5/43 or May 5th, 1943 for wounds received in action on November 10th, 1918 while serving as a Corporal with Company E, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd “Red Arrow” Division. This is correct, as his Purple Heart Medal is rim-numbered 202124, meaning it was taken from the stock of WWII Purple Hearts when it was awarded in 1943.

The medal is in good shape with a functional brooch, though there is some fraying of the white fabric. The ribbon and lapel pin are retained though there is breakage to the enamel of the pin.

Treadwell’s SS card is dated 6-21-39 and is a good bit of provenance tying the set to him. There is also included about 15 pages of printed morning reports showing that he was originally with the 310th Military Police Company, 85th Division before being transferred to the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division.

The 128th Infantry formed part of the 32nd Division, one of the best-known American formations of WWI. By November 1918 the division was engaged during the final phase of the Meuse-Argonne campaign, making Treadwell’s documented November 10 wound, received only one day before the Armistice, particularly poignant.

The combination of the rim-numbered Purple Heart, documented 1943 award date, recorded November 10, 1918 combat wound, original presentation case, ribbon, lapel pin, 1939 Social Security card, and extensive morning-report research gives this grouping unusually strong personal documentation. Rather than being an anonymous medal, it preserves both the identity of Lawrence Treadwell and the specific circumstances under which his WWI service was formally recognized more than two decades later.