Original U.S. WWII 6th Armored Division Bronze Star Recipient Uniform, Coveralls & Ephemera Grouping - Staff Sergeant & Lieutenant William D. Murphy
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Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Grouping. This is the outstanding uniform, medal, and ephemera grouping of Staff Sergeant and later Lieutenant William D. Murphy, who served with the HQ, 68th Armored Regiment, and HQ, 15th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division overseas in France. He fought in the Campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, and Germany. The grouping includes his original January 1945 Bronze Star citation, which reads:
For meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France during the period 1 August 1944 to 11 December 1944. As transportation platoon sergeant, he displayed courage, sound judgement, and initiative in the efficient performance of his duties under combat conditions. Entered the military service from Minnesota.
The citation is from the HQ, 6th Armored Division. The grouping contains:
- A metal box measuring 6½ x 4 x 4½” containing a ton of his insignia including 6th Armored Division Association pins, buttons, a decal, four 6th Armored Division patches, a great 6th AD enamel pin, a religious pennant, several ribbon bars, tank insignia, collar discs, etc. along with a very small and light 6th AD ashtray.
- Murphy’s Officer Ike Jacket from when he was a Lieutenant. The jacket has US and Tank collar insignia (including scarce WWI British Landship style pins), Lieutenant’s bars, three overseas chevrons, a 6th Armored Division patch, and a 4-place ribbon bar with the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense medal, and European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal with four campaign stars. The jacket is 40R and has a June 1944 contract date.
- Murphy’s M41 Field Jacket with period-applied 6th Armored Division patch and Staff Sergeant chevrons. The interior tag is gone from over-use and washing. Clearly a great theater-worn jacket!
- Murphy’s Tanker coveralls which are inscribed near the zipper with MURPHY WILLIAM D / 37095646, very difficult to find especially named. Great condition overall.
- Murphy’s Army shirt with period-applied 6th Armored Division patch and Staff Sergeant chevrons. There is another soldier’s laundry number inside but as a shirt this is common.
- Murphy’s Bronze Star Medal in presentation case with ribbon and pin. Not engraved or numbered.
- Murphy’s Good Conduct medal in box.
- Murphy’s Polaroid All-Purpose goggles in original case. Shows use.
- Murphy’s tanker glasses with tinted lenses and mesh side covers in original tin case by Welsh Manufacturing Co.
- Yardlong of Company A of the 9th Armored Replacement Battalion in January 1942, measures 8 x 32½”.
- Yardlong of Murphy’s unit with his name written under him in the photo. Yardlong is split down the middle but not broken yet. Measures 8 x 21½”.
- Murphy’s pistol belt with a 1944-dated first aid pouch with a 1916-dated WWI First Aid packet inside, sealed.
- Three of Murphy’s Overseas caps, all with Lieutenant’s bars and officer piping. Great to display with his uniforms.
- Copies of Murphy’s official army discharge listing his Bronze Star award as well as his qualifications in the Carbine Cl 30, Marksman.
- Murphy’s original BSM citation.
- A great 3x4” image of him as a Lieutenant.
- A small US Mail from US Army bag with roughly 30 original photographs, mostly while in training but some also look to be from overseas. Two photos with tanks.
- 6th Armored Division “The Super Sixth” unit history. 6 x 9 x 1¼”.
- Great post-war Complete History of the Super Sixth with his nametag on front. Great history. 8½ x 11 x ¾”.
William D. Murphy was born on August 7th, 1918 in Callaway, Minnesota. He first enlisted in the Army on November 15th, 1941 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Before the war, he worked as an inventory clerk. By June 5th, 1942, he was a Staff Sergeant in the HQ, 68th Armored Regiment. His specialty became Platoon Sergeant, and he was transferred to the HQ, 15th Tank Battalion in 1944. He was overseas from February 11th, 1944 to September 18th, 1945. He saw combat in the Campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Germany. He earned the Bronze Star for actions during August-December 1944. Upon returning to the states, he was discharged on April 20th, 1945 and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, before being honorably discharged again on October 9th, 1945. Murphy lived a very long life, being married to his wife Betty for 68 years, and passed away on March 24th, 2011 at the age of 92.
This is a fantastic uniform, medal, and ephemera grouping to a Bronze Star recipient of the 6th Armored Division! Comes ready for further research and display!
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