Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Purple Heart group of five awarded to 2nd Lieutenant W. E. Grisham, U.S. Army Air Corps

Purple Heart, gilt and enamel (William E. Grisham); Air Medal (William E. Grisham); American Campaign Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, bronze star on ribbon; Victory Medal 1945, first two medals with the same same style of engraved naming; together with Presidential Unit Citation bar; Army Air Corps Pilot’s Badge, silver, pin-backed; Student Pilot’s Badge (?), gilt, screw-backed; enamelled badge (1); cloth badges (3), riband bars (2), together with identity bracelet, copper, inscribed, ‘Wm. E. Grisham, 19081789’, good very fine and better (lot) £100-140

William E. Grisham from California, enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps on 26.5.1942. He was granted a commission to 2nd Lieutenant on 25.6.1943. While serving with the 369 Bombardment Squadron, 306 Bomb Group (Heavy), based at Thurleigh in Bedfordshire, his Flying Fortress was shot down on Mission No. 100. This raid took place on 11.1.1944, the target being Halberstadt. His Fortress had its tail shot off and was last seen near the Zuider Zee. Lieutenant Grisham, as co-pilot was killed, only the radio operator from the crew of 10 survived leading to the suggestion that the plane blew apart at the wing roots. Grisham was buried at the Ardennes American Cemetery. Sold with research papers, photographs and booklet.