November 7-8, 2018 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/7/2018
Identified Marine Corps World War I USMC valor grouping named to Ernest Malcom Bantz, 17th Co., 5th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Brigade, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). Lot consists an Army issue Pattern 1917 wool service coat with Marine buttons. Coat has a 1st Bn, 5th Marines red wool patch to left shoulder, and bronze "US" and EGA discs on the collar, a French Fourragere affixed to the epaulette button and Bantz's single aluminum identity disc that reads "SGT. ERNEST M. BANTZ 1 MAY 1918 U.S.M.C.". Medals pinned to uniform include an edge numbered Silver Star (No. 45692), Croix de Guerre with palm cluster, rim numbered USMC Good Conduct Medal, a World War I Victory Medal with AISNE-MARNE, ST. MIHIEL, MEUSE-ARGONNE, and DEFENSIVE SECTOR bars, a Verdun Medal without its ribbon, a VFW Delegate Medal from the 1934 encampment in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a small circular 2nd Division enameled pin, and a sterling marksman badge. His original 2nd Division citation for valor on June 10, 1918 signed by MajGen John Lejeune is included as well as an original wartime photo of Bantz, framed discharge and service certificate copies, an Army style garrison cap with P1914 bronze USMC enlisted hat device, and a M1911 magazine pouch marked by the USMC Philadelphia Depot. It is not uncommon to see U.S. Army uniforms issued to Marines as the USMC supply system could not keep up with demand once the initial Marine were worn out or rendered unserviceable. Sargent Bantz enlisted in the Marine Corps on April 20, 1917 at Marine Base Port Royal South Carolina. He set sail with the 17th Co., from Quantico, Virginia aboard the USS Henderson, and was part of the first contingent of U.S. troops to arrive in France. On June 6th 1918, he went into action at Belleau Wood during the Chateau Thierry Campaign to stop the German offensive against Paris. He received a Silver Star citation and Croix de Guerre Medal for bravery on the first day of the battle. He was later wounded on July 18, 1918 at Soissons. His wounds were serious enough that he never returned to the front lines. By November 1, 1918 he had made his way to the Naval Hospital, Great Lakes and was medically discharged in January of 1919. CONDITION: Excellent overall, and appears to be untouched since it was last worn for VFW events after the war. A rare opportunity to obtain an ID'd grouping to a Marine valor medal recipient from one of the Corp's most famous battles.