Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. WWII Silver Star Medal manufactured by The Robbins Co. of Attleboro, Massachusetts, still contained in its original Quartermaster Depot cardboard issue box dated 1943. The medal appears to have remained unissued and is especially desirable with its surviving factory and depot packaging.

The medal is contained in the original cardboard box from the manufacturer, marked on the side with the stock information under a later added contract sticker:

MEDAL, SILVER STAR, SERIAL NO. 
Stock No. 71D405, Spec. No. 112C - Dated July 24, 1943
THE ROBBINS CO., Attleboro Mass.
Purchase Order No. …. July 26, 1943
Philadelphia Q.M. Depot

There is no number stamped into the side of the medal, which with the original QM depot box indicates that it was never officially issued. These were usually formally presented in a lined case with an additional lapel mini pin. The corners of the box are worn and close to tearing. This set only contains the medal, no pin or ribbon.

The Silver Star Medal developed from the earlier Citation Star, a small silver star authorized by Congress on July 9, 1918, for gallantry during WWI. In 1932 the Citation Star was converted into the present Silver Star Medal, with the earlier silver star incorporated into the center of the new decoration.

During WWII the Silver Star became one of the principal American awards for gallantry in combat. It was formally authorized by Congress for the Navy in 1942 and for the Army later that same year, and it remains one of the highest U.S. decorations for valor.

The combination of the Robbins Co. manufacture, 1943-dated specification and purchase information, Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot marking, unnumbered medal, and original cardboard issue box makes this an especially strong WWII Silver Star example. Its apparent unissued condition and surviving depot packaging provide an unusually direct look at how these decorations were stored and distributed before formal presentation.