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LOT 468
Personal U.S. Marine Corps Four-Star General Flag of Famed World War II Hero and Medal of Honor Recipient General Alexander
Archer Vandegrift - This USMC four-star general flag measures roughly 29 x 18 inches is the personal flag of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Alexander Archer Vandegrift (1903-1978). He was Commanding General of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, during assaults on Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Gavutu in the Solomon Islands on August 7, 1942, which was the first large scale offensive undertaken by the U.S. against the Japanese and, for services taken during the subsequent occupation and defense from August 7 to December 9, 1942, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Part of his citation read, “With the adverse factors of weather, terrain and disease making his task a difficult and hazardous undertaking, and with his command eventually including sea, land, and air
forces of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, Major General Vandegrift achieved marked success in commanding the initial landings of the Unites States Forces in the Solomon Islands and in their subsequent occupation...This dangerous but vital mission, accomplished at the constant risk of his life, resulted in securing a valuable base for further operations of our forces against the enemy.” From January 1, 1944 to June 30, 1946, General Vandegrift served as the Commandant of the Marine Corps and for his outstanding service was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. In April 1945 he became the first Marine officer on active duty to be appointed the rank of four-star general. Before leaving active service General Vandegrift addressed Congress with a stern warning against the Army’s post-war efforts to diminish the role of the Marines in his famous “Bended Knee Speech” delivered on May 6, 1946. CONDITION: Very good with some scattered insect type damage and slight speckling of white paint, otherwise tight stitching overall. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 8,000
LOT 469
Document Grouping from the First Marine Raider Battalion including Medal of Honor Recipient Merritt Edson - The documents in this lot, both original and photocopies, are chiefly directed to a Lawrence H. Holdren. Having joined the U.S.M.C. in 1930, his pre-World War II service included posting to Nicarauga, Cuba and Shanghai, and during the course of World War II would advance to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Among other distinctions, he would be a member of the First Marine Raider Battalion under Merrit “Red Mike” Edson, and earned the Navy Cross for action on Guadalcanal. While fighting near Lunga Ridge in September of 1942 as part of the overall effort to protect Henderson Field from being retaken by Japanese forces, Holdren’s unit found itself isolated and surrounded by the enemy when adjacent friendly units pulled back, experiencing 9 hours of attacks from multiple angles and at night. This was part of a greater overall action dubbed the Battle of Edson’s Ridge, for which Edson himself would earn the Medal of Honor for his work up on the front. The documents include: A 14 April 1942 notice from then-LTC M.A. Edson (commander of the 1st Raiders) promoting Holdren to Corporal, a copy of a February 1942 notice promoting Holdren to PFC, a photo of then-BGEN Edson in July 1944 during the fighting on Tinian, copy of a 1944 letter from the Commandant of the USMC to then-Gunnery Sergeant Holdren congratulation him on his Navy Cross, a copy of Holdren’s Navy Cross citation, two photos of Holdren in uniform (one leading a color guard formation, another casually smoking), and a copy of a newspaper article with picture of Holdren receiving his Navy Cross. CONDITION: Good. The appointment to Corporal shows some staining, folds and edge wear, the photos remain crisp, and the photocopies are in good order. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
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