Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 456

Lot 456:Solomon Island Veteran Uniform/Medal Set

May 14th, 2021|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 456

Lot 456:Solomon Island Veteran Uniform/Medal Set

May 14th, 2021|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$10,000 - $15,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Historic World War II Uniform and Medal Set for a Decorated Marine Veteran of the Solomon Islands Campaign, Rare American Recipient of the British Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, with Documentation

Consisting of a uniform jacket and trousers, and glass-topped case of medals, and a binder of documentation (both originals and copies), the contents of this lot are from or related to USMC Gunnery Sergeant Clarence E. Petrie of Company D, First Battalion, 2nd Marines. A California resident who enlisted in December of 1941, Petrie was among the Marines tasked to the Solomon Islands Campaign, during which he would distinguish himself with his bravery and tenacity under fire. Two incidents in particular stand out, and are cited in included award documents. The first was an incident on November 3rd, 1942 when then-PFC Petrie encountered an enemy emplacement while on recon duty with 2 other Marines, successfully knocked it out and captured four intact light artillery pieces in the process; he received the Silver Star for the action. The second occurred on November 21st, 1943, during the landing on Tarawa. Then-Sergeant Petrie and his platoon leader, manhandling a 75mm pack howitzer, engaged multiple enemy positions by shelling them and then rushing them on foot, including a pillbox that was directly machine-gunning Marines trying to get out of the water and onto the beach, and an interconnected cluster of four pillboxes. For this second action he received two awards, the Navy Cross and the British Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. While the Navy Cross is nothing to sneeze at, the CGM merits particular note. Traditionally an award for British sailors, a limited number of British awards were made to American participating in liberating former British holdings in the Pacific, which included the issue of two CGMs to Marines who saw action in the Solomons. The binder documents include the temporary citations for the two U.S. decorations, as well as the notice informing Petrie of his award of the CGM, along with vintage photos of Petrie and his fellow Marines, copies of service documents, and articles related to the British medal presentations. The uniform jacket bears a Gunnery Sergeant's chevrons, a 2nd Marines shoulder patch, one service bar, and ribbon bars for the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation (2 stars), American Campaign Medal and the Asiatic Campaign Medal (3 stars). The case contains a photo of the Sergeant with his Purple Heart, Silver Star and Navy Cross, and contains a loose 2nd Marines patch, the medals to go with the ribbons, plus a USMC good conduct medal and a WWII victory metal. The CGM is included, fine silver construction with Petrie's name and serial number engraved on the smooth edge. “Petrie” is hand signed inside the pants. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection

ConditionFine overall. The uniform and medals show wear and tear appropriate to age and use, and the paper items show light wear. An important historic group of items from the War in the Pacific.
Details
TypeOther
ClassOther

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views4405
Catalog page316
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 1309Medals and Documentation for a Marine Raider
View Lot
Lot 118Two World War I U.S. Aviation Officer Uniform Sets
View Lot
Lot 369Navy Cross Set with Attribution to a Marine
View Lot
Lot 367World War II United States Marine Corps Aviation Patches
View Lot
Show More