December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2021
World War II 357th Infantry Regiment KIA Purple Heart grouping of Private First Class William H. Gerbauer. The grouping consists of Gerbauer's Purple Heart, medal certificate, coffin case, and photo. His memorabilia is nicely framed in a wood case. The Purple Heart exhibits period correct government style engraving and is mounted in the frame so it hangs just above Gerbauer in the photo. There is also a photo of his grave where he rests in the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Gerbauer was born on August 8, 1922 and entered active service on February 3, 1943. He was assigned to the 357th Infantry Regiment of the 90th Infantry Division and went ashore with the Division on June 8, 1944, D-Day+2, at the beaches of Normandy. The unit was active through the Rhineland Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge, earning their nickname "The Tough 'Ombres". On 19 February, the men of the 90th Division smashed through Siegfried Line and proceeded to advance to the Prüm River. Their next objective was to cross the Moselle River in order to take the city of Mainz. It was during this push that Gerbauer was killed. He was initially declared as missing in action, but this was later changed to killed in action, probably because it took some time for accurate information to be recorded. It was revealed that Gerbauer was killed on March 15, 1945 around the city of Udenhausen, Germany, and his cause of death is listed as SW head (Severe Wound, head). The grouping is accompanied by a folder of research mostly relating to the recovery and relocation of Gerbauer's remains. There are burial reports and letters that were written to his family asking if they want his body to remain overseas or be returned home for burial. The family opted to have him buried in Europe next to the men of his unit who were also killed in action. All of the supporting documents are modern scans, but complete the story. CONDITION: The medal is clean and the engraving remains bold. The certificate is nicely famed and exhibits very light blemishes and the coffin case exhibits scattered scuffs. The group is nicely framed and ready to be displayed. Overall very good. JLD
Item Dimensions: 22" x 18"
Paperwork
Consigner Notes and Research