Original U.S. WWII Named 34th Infantry Division Silver Star Recipient Grouping With Award Citation and Photographs - 17 Items
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Original Items: Only One Lot of 17 Available. The 34th Infantry Division is an infantry division of the United States Army, part of the National Guard, that participated in World War I, World War II and multiple current conflicts. It was the first American division deployed to Europe in World War II, where it fought with great distinction in the Italian Campaign. This campaign is where Private First Class Markley Morris while with the 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Division, conducted himself keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
The Silver Star was presented to Private First Class Markley Morris (ASN: 33596650), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 3 December 1943, in Italy. When the enemy counter-attacked and re-captured a part of the hill they were on, Private First Class Morris and a comrade crawled through heavy fire to a point where the forward CP had been located before the enemy attack. Here they found the communication line to the rear unbroken and they immediately called the Battalion S-2 and informed him of the peril of the Battalion's positions. Reinforcements and ammunition were then rushed up. As wounded and dazed soldiers stumbled down from the crest of the hill, Private First Class Morris and the other man crawled to their comrades and while under the severe hostile fire, dressed their wounds and directed them to the aid station. When several men started down the hill, disorganized by the loss of all their officers and non-commissioned officers, Private First Class Morris and his comrade rallied them and built a defensive line around the position of the former CP. With this line and the aid of a platoon of reinforcements, the enemy counterattack was stopped. The initiative and courage displayed by Private First Class Morris helped to prevent a deep penetration of friendly lines, and his actions were exemplary and worthy of highest praise.
The Items In This Lot:
- Dog Tag: This is a single dog tag on a chain and has the following information; MARKLEY MORRIS / 33596650 T43-430 / P
- Combat Infantry Badge: This is a pin back example but does not have the frogs present.
- 34th Infantry Division “Red Bulls” Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: The division takes its name from the shoulder sleeve insignia designed for a 1917 training camp contest by American regionalist artist Marvin Cone, who was then a soldier enlisted in the unit. Cone's design evoked the desert training grounds of Camp Cody, New Mexico, by superimposing a red steer skull over a black Mexican water jug called an "olla." In World War I, the unit was called the "Sandstorm Division." German troops in World War II, however, called the U.S. division's soldiers "Red Devils" and "Red Bulls," the division later officially adopted the divisional nickname Red Bulls.
- x13 Pictures: The pictures are mostly clear and a little worn. They include photos of Morris and of him with his buddies while on leave in Italy. There is some writing present on the backs but not all of them.
- Documents: The documents include an original Silver Star citation, original typed letters and a copy of the General Orders which shows his Silver Star citation and other soldiers’ awards.
- Silver Star Medal: The medal is WWII production but is unnamed and unnumbered. There is minor age toning to the ribbon, but this is still a lovely example.
- Bronze Star Medal: The medal is WWII production but is unnamed and unnumbered. There is minor age toning to the ribbon, but this is still a lovely example. We are uncertain if Morris was also issued a Bronze Star during the war, this was with his grouping.
This is a wonderful grouping and comes more than ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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