Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendous framed Croix de Guerre & Certificate identified to Private Albro Edison Blake, Headquarters Company, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Division, who during the First World War was awarded two Silver Star Citations, two French Croix de Guerre medals (One with Gilt Star & One with Bronze Star), and the Belgian Croix de Guerre for his tireless efforts in repairing broken telephone wires under heavy artillery shellfire, thus maintaining communication between the artillery post of command and the infantry front lines, and enabling the artillery fire to be effectively delivered at critical times and at important places.

Thanks to the book Belgian Decorations to Americans for World War I Service, Volume I by Scott R. Schoner, we were able to find Blake’s full citations for his SSCs and all three Croix de Guerres:

Blake, Albro (Albus) E., 129789, Private, Headquarters Company, 15th Field Artillery Regiment

Belgian Croix de Guerre (Royal Decree No. 6776, dated February 27, 1920) "In recognition of meritorious services rendered the Allied cause."

French Croix de Guerre with Gilt Star (French Order No. 12,717 "D," dated January 3, 1919, General Headquarters, French Armies of the East) "From October 3-10, 1918, he daily exposed himself to the bombardment while repairing the telephone lines."

French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star (French Order No. 11,601 "D," dated November 15, 1918, General Headquarters, French Armies of the North and Northeast) "Heedless of danger he crossed bombarded and gas drenched zones to repair important lines which permitted the adjustment of fire and connected the front lines with the infantry post of command."

Silver Star Citation (C.O. No. 8, G.H.Q., 1920) "For gallantry in action near Coupru, France, nights of June 5, 6, 10, and 11, 1918, while repairing telephone lines under artillery fire."

Silver Star Citation (G.O. No. 40, Hq. 2d Div., 1919) "joint) The three above named, throughout the nights of June 5th, 6th, 10th and 11th, 1918, regardless of personal danger, continually passed through shelled and gassed areas, remaining in these areas to repair telephone lines broken by shellfire, thus maintaining communication between the artillery post of command and the infantry front lines, and enabling the artillery fire to be effectively delivered at critical times and at important places. This on June 5th, 6th, 10th and 11th, 1918."

Blake certainly earned a reputation for bravery throughout his time overseas, and this is an extremely rare case in which we’re able to provide the full citations of his awards. The framed certificate measures 18½ x 22½” and has a small cut-out at the bottom for the Croix de Guerre. The frame came to us exactly like this.  

This is an extremely scarce certificate, ready for further research and display.