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Exceptional WWI Group Named to a DSC Recipient of the 345th Battalion, Company B, Tank Corps.... (Total: 5 Items)
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$1,493.75
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Description
Fantastic Tank Corp Group Named to a DSC Recipient
Exceptional WWI Group Named to a DSC Recipient of the 345th Battalion, Company B, Tank Corps. Doubtless there are many important WWI groups in collections and museums, and surely this group would be an equal in their ranks. On offer is a superb group including two uniforms, pants, overseas hat, personalized leather jerkin, and personalized gas mask belonging to Corporal Charles V. Williams of the 345th Battalion, Company B, Tank Corps. The uniforms include a standard wool pattern with a Henry Sonneborn & Company, Baltimore, MD. maker's mark on the depot tag and contract date of September 6, 1917, and the other an olive drab cotton pattern with a Bernheim maker's mark and contract date of June 8, 1917 on the depot tag. Each is marked with Williams' name in ink on the inside lining. Both are complete with collar insignia, including the important Tank Corps enlisted disks and a beautiful three-piece wool Tank Corps shoulder insignia on the left sleeve and wool corporal's rank insignia on the right sleeve. Each has a gold six-month service chevron on the lower left sleeve and the wool tunic has the addition of a red service chevron on the left sleeve. Both are in excellent condition retaining all buttons and hooks and without moth damage or soiling. The leather jerkin, missing one button, has been artfully adorned with a French FT-17 Renault tank on the back and the caption "345th Tank Bn". The front is captioned with Williams' name and rank and "Company B 345th Tank Battalion France". Williams' gas mask is captioned "Charles V. Williams Co B 345th Tank Battalion" on the reverse and "My Best Friend" on the front. The mask is complete with anti-dimming stick, instructions, and is in excellent, complete condition. This is an amazing and important identified group to a decorated member of the fledgling U.S. Tank Corps. Williams' unit had been organized June 7, 1918 as Company B, 327th Battalion, Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces in France but was later re-designated as Company B, 345th Battalion, Tank Corps on September 12, 1918.Charles V. Williams was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross during actions during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. His citation reads: "The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles V. Williams, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Baulny, Meuse, France, September 28, 1918. During an attack on a hedge south of the Montrebeau Woods, Corporal Williams left his tank, which was out of action, and went through the severe rifle, machine-gun, and artillery fire to give first aid to wounded lieutenant. He then took the wounded officer's place, leading the platoon of tanks to the objective through the intense enemy fire. General Orders No. 44, W.D., 1919. Home Address: 534 South Forty-ninth street, Philadelphia, PA."
Auction Info
2009 December Signature Arms & Militaria Including Civil War Auction #6021 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2009
12th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,832
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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