Update: MONDAY 10/07/24: GREETINGS from FLYING TIGER ANTIQUES & Vintage Historical Artifacts!!! !!
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Thank you for visiting. We hope you will find some vintage artifacts here on our site to add to your collection.
Happy Collecting, Ron & Kanae
ARTIFACT:
NOTE: Based on the engraving style, this is either a Late Issue, or Re-Issue, medal, engraved circa 1960. This is about the time U.S. Army Reserve Center in Jefferson City was dedicated to Heisinger's memory.
This is a Cased World War II United State Army KIA Purple Heart of 1st Lieutenant Ralph W. Heisinger 362nd Infantry Regiment 91st Division.
Born in 1918, Ralph W. Heisinger attended Jefferson City Hight School, the local Junior College and then went on to graduate with a business degree from the University of Missouri. He entered military service as a private in February 1942, rose to the rank of sergeant and, after completing Officer Candidate School in August 1943, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry.
The new officer was married in 1943 but was soon sent overseas to fight in the Italian Campaign of World War II. On September 12, 1944, Heisinger was serving with Company A, 362nd Infantry near Mountain Calvi, Italy, when he led his platoon in an attack against fortified enemy emplacements. The officer personally accounted for four enemy killed and the capture of others. Later that day, he was wounded by sniper fire while on reconnaissance and an aid man who went out to assist him was as also wounded. Lt Heisinger ordered two other soldiers trying to reach Heisinger, he had already died from his wounds.
The Army officer received several decorations including a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. His body was returned to Jefferson City and buried in Riverview Cemetery. On November 11, 1961, a ceremony was held at the newly constructed U.S. Army Reserve Center on Tanner Bridge Road in Jefferson City dedicating the facility to Heisinger's memory. It is presumed that this Purple Heart was ordered from the US Government for this Ceremony.
A printout of the above information comes with Medal.
VINTAGE:
Circa WWII.
SIZE:
Approximately Medal: 3-1/8" in length x 1-3/8" in width; Case: 6-1/2" in length x 3-1/2" in width.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Medal: Silk ribbon, enamel, gilt bronze. Case: wood, velvet, leatherette, metal hinge.
ATTACHMENT:
Horizontal pin with under-come locking catch.
MARKINGS:
FOR MILITARY MERIT RALPH W. HEISINGER
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a US Army collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VAGEX18 LEGEX06/17/19 SLCGEX08/23/22 SCGEX06/06/24
CONDITION:
6+ (Fine - Very Fine): The case shows minor wear and spot of stain, medal shows minor wear, ribbon shows hard wear but still intact to the bar, overall fine condition.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
