Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Korean War Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart group of six awarded to Lieutenand Kenneth E. Swayer, 37th Artillery Battalion, U.S. Army

Silver Star, reverse inscribed, ‘Kenneth E. Sawyer’, edge numbered, ‘90411’; Bronze Star, reverse inscribed, ‘Kenneth E. Sawyer’; Purple Heart, reverse inscribed, ‘Kenneth E. Sawyer’; National Defense Medal, unnamed; Korea Service Medal 1950-54, unnamed, with bronze star and arrowhead on ribbon; U.N. Korea, unnamed, generally extremely fine (6) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for The Korean War 1950-53.

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Kenneth E. Sawyer was born in Colorado and lived in Merced, California. He entered the Army in 1948, and after a period at Fort Lewis, Washington, was posted to Korea, serving with the 37th Artillery Battalion of the 2nd Division. There he received a battlefield commission and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the delaying action at the Chosen Reservoir. Awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on 15 September 1951, he died of wounds two days later. He was the son of Mrs Vera Sawyer of Parsons Avenue, Merced, and Walter Sawyer of Santa Clara.

Sold with award documents for:

Bronze Star, 'To Second Lieutenant Kenneth E. Sawyer, 02 263 011 (then Sergeant First Class, United States Army) for meritorious Achievement in Ground operations against Hostile Forces, Korea, 1 December 1950'

Silver Star, 'To Second Lieutenant Kenneth E. Sawyer, 02 263 011, United States Army, for Gallantry in Action, Korea, 15 September 1951'.

Purple Heart, 'To Second Lieutenant Kenneth E. Sawyer, 02 263 011, United States Army, for wounds received in action, resulting in his death, Korea, 17 September 1951'.

Note: The three award documents all signed and dated '7th June 1973'. Also sold with a copy of the Merced Express, dated 27 September 1951, which featured his obituary and photograph.