Original U.S. WWII Navy USS Franklin KIA Purple Heart & Silver Star Recipient Charles Bartolotta Certificate & Ephemera Grouping with Books & Brother’s Paperwork
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Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Group. This is the extensive document, certificate, and ephemera grouping of Seaman First Class Carmelo Salvatore Bartolotta, who was killed in action aboard the USS Franklin when it was set ablaze and sunk by Japanese forces on March 19th, 1945. The grouping contains Bartolotta’s Purple Heart Certificate, the original citation for his Silver Star Medal, the Western Union telegram sent to his parents announcing his death, and much more, to include books, documents, and many of his brothers WWII papers.
Bartolotta’s posthumous Silver Star citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving on board the U.S.S. Franklin during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands Area, October 30th, 1944. When the FRANKLIN was attached and set ablaze by Japanese aircraft while off Samar Island in support of our landings on Leyte, BARTOLOTTA unhesitatingly entered a blazing gun well and jettisoned hot ready ammunition out of the splinter shield over the side, thereby removing a grave hazard to the stricken ship and her crew. Entering smoke-filled and burning compartments, he carried wounded men to safety. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon BARTOLOTTA and the United States Naval Service.”
The group consists of:
- Western Union telegram alerting Bartolotta’s family about his death dated October 12nd, 1945. He had been missing in action since March 19th, 1945 but it was on this date that he was officially declared Killed in Action.
- 10 x 12” Purple Heart Certificate to Carmelo Salvatore Bartolotta, dated April 12th, 1946. Rare.
- 5 x 7” Photograph of Bartolotta, along with large group photo with all names shown on back showing where Bartolotta is standing in line. Group photo is dated August 26th, 1944.
- Secretary of the Navy-signed citation for Bartolotta’s silver star medal.
- Navy Department issued letter announcing the award of the Purple Heart to Bartolotta.
- Several letters from multiple places to Bartolotta’s parents announcing or sending condolences for his death.
- Many other small documents from his service, copies and other small bits of ephemera.
- WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific campaign medal, and very worn “NAVY” uniform button in small bag. We have no evidence to show that the button was recovered from Bartolotta, but it is very oxidized.
- Book, “The Franklin Comes Home: The Saga of the Most Decorated Ship in Naval History”.
- Book “Big Ben at the Flattop: The Story of the USS Franklin”.
- Much ephemera to Carmelo’s brother, Charles, to include his honorable discharge, some letters, WWII Victory medal document, other Navy documents, booklets, other documents, etc.
- Folder labeled “Italian discharge” with photo of Italian soldier during WWI period and his discharge dated 1913, likely an older relative of theirs from before they came to America.
This is an outstanding group with some very scarce documents pertaining to the service and death of a sailor aboard the USS Franklin. Comes ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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