December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2021
World War II 419th Field Artillery Battalion KIA Purple Heart and Bronze Star grouping of Private First Class James W. Bruce. The group consists of Bruce's government engraved Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals. Both medals have an extra ribbon, ribbon bar, lapel pins, coffin cases, and are contained in their original white shipping boxes. The Purple Heart is also complete with the medal certificate and Presidential Accolade that are contained in the original mailing tube that is addressed to Bruce's father. The group is accompanied by a small folder of research that was conducted by the consigner. James Bruce was born in Orange, Florida during the year 1921. He enlisted in the arm on November 8, 1942 and was later assigned to the 419th Field Artillery Battalion of the 10th Armored Division. Bruce and the men of the 10th Armored Division entered France through the port of Cherbourg, on September 23, 1944 and trained for about a month before entering combat with the Third Army. The 10th Armored Division quickly established itself as an effective fighting force as they participated in the capture of Metz, moved to the Siegfried Line, and led the Third Army into Germany on November 19, 1944. The unit also distinguished itself during the Battle of the Bulge and afterwards crossed the Saar River capturing many towns and bridgeheads. On February 27, 1945 Bruce was awarded the Bronze Star for distiguising himself under fire. The original citation that is included with the group reads "Private First Class Bruce, drive, voluntarily assisted in the repair and evacuation of a 1/4 ton truck under a constant barrage from enemy artillery and mortar fire. By April 1945, the the unit was rapidly advancing south through Germany. Bruce was killed in action on April 2, 1945 during these advancements. He was killed south of Gaiberg when the unit was in position at an area known as Bargan. This was just over a month after he was awarded his bronze star. He was 24 years old. CONDITION: The medals both remain clean is clean and their engravings remain bold. The coffin cases both exhibit little wear and have most likely been stored in their shipping boxes since they were received by Bruce's family. The certificate and accolade are both nicely preserved with typical blemishes as they probably spent most of their existence in the mailing tube. The Bronze Star citation is ripped around the edges. Even the mailing tube is nicely preserved as it appears as though it was carefully opened by Bruce's father and then stored with other family heirlooms. This is a very nice complete KIA medal grouping that needs to be respected in a serious collection. Overall very good. JLD
Item Dimensions: 10" x 10"