Beschreibung:

This is a fantastic and historically significant lot of two Purple Heart Medals in their original cases and two Identified World War II Purple Heart certificates still in their original mailing tubes. Lot consists of: (A) Early issue World War II Type I split brooch Purple Heart Medal in original early issue box. CONDITION: The exterior of the box shows some staining but shows no major signs of wear. The interior has slight ripping behind where the medal sits but is in very good condition. the medal has very slight tearing on the ribbon bit is otherwise in good condition. Overall good condition. (B) World War II slot brooch Purple Heart Medal in original coffin case and identified to Harold J. Bankus of Pennsylvania. The reverse of the medal is privately engraved with the inscription "Pfc. H.J. Bankus 33497268" From our research it appears that Bankus was discharged from the Army as a Sergeant and is interred in Mountville Pennsylvania. CONDITION: The coffin case shows minor scuffs but still presents well. The Medal shows light tarnishing from age but the engraving on the reverse is in very good condition. The ribbon bar has three stars and is in good condition. This is a very nice named Purple Heart Medal that would be a wonderful research project. (C) World War II Purple Heart certificate and death certificate identified to Cpl. Albert P. Shervilla of Pennsylvania who was killed in action on March 19, 1945. Research shows that Cpl. Shervilla was attached to the 260th Infantry Regiment of the 65th Infantry Division. This is a very emotional document set, as he was killed in the Saarlouis Rhoden area of Germany with less than two months left in World War II. He is interred in the Luxemburg American Cemetery in Luxemburg. CONDITION: The original cardboard mailing tube is in very good condition considering its age. It still has the original, legible mailing label attached to it. The certificates are in excellent condition as they have been stored in the tube since World War II. The writing is very crisp and still legible with almost no blemishes or signs of fading. Overall a very nice and rare World War II document set. (D) World War II Purple Heart certificate and death certificate identified to Staff Sergeant Frank J. Pogwist of Brooklyn, New York, who was killed in action on December 5, 1943. Research shows that Sgt. Pogwist was a B-17 Radio Operator attached to the 332nd Bomb Squadron of the 94th Bomb Group. This is also an emotional document set, as Pogwist was born in 1922 and was only 21 years old when he was killed in action. According to research, Pogwist was the radio operator on 332nd Bomb Group B-17 #423349 "El Mangau" When it was shot down near Bordeaux, France. A partial Missing Air Crew Report states that enemy fighter aircraft set the number two engine of "El Mangau" on fire and the bomber fell out of formation. All ten crew members were killed in action. During his time in the Army Air Force, Pogwist was awarded the Air Medal, and posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He is still listed as Missing in Action by the American Battle Monuments Commission and is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridge, United Kingdom. CONDITION: The original cardboard shipping tube is in excellent condition and still has the original shipping label that is addressed to his wife attached. There is some staining but this is to be expected due to age. The certificates are in excellent condition as they have been rolled and stored in the cardboard tube since World War II. The writing is very crisp and still legible with almost no blemishes or signs of fading. this is a fantastic lot of World War II documents and medals that would make wonderful additions to a collection. JD Item Dimensions: Largest: 14 - 1/4" x 2 - 1/4" x 2 - 1/4".