Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A United States Bronze Star group of thirteen attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Kern, United States Army

United States of America, Bronze Star, bronze, unnamed as issued; Army Commendation Medal, bronze; Army Good Conduct Medal, bronze; American Campaign Medal, bronze; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, bronze, with two bronze stars on riband; World War II Victory Medal, bronze; Army of Occupation Medal, bronze, with Germany clasp; National Defense Medal, bronze; Korean Service Medal, bronze; U.N. Korea 1950-54, English issue; Armed Forces Reserve Medal, bronze; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold II, Chevalier’s breast badge, silvered and enamel, French motto; Croix de Guerre, L.III.R., bronze, with bronze palm on riband, good very fine (13) £160-£200

William Russell Kern was born in Traer, Iowa, on 2 July 1919, and served with the United States Army from 27 June 1941, initially with the 54th Field Artillery Battalion, 3rd Armored Division. Appointed a Knight of the Belgian Order of Leopold II and awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre with palm by decree 1204 of 22 October 1945 ‘for extraordinary war services rendered to Belgium in the liberation and defense of its territory’, he saw further service during the Korean War, and retired in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 28 February 1962.

Sold with various riband bars; cloth badges; and copied research, but with no original documents.