Catalog Number MDL 0.04

These medals were awarded to a member of the US 1st Infantry Division for action in WWII. The Silver Star was awarded for heroism for the Battle of Aachen, Germany on October 18th, 1944, the Purple Heart was awarded for the same action as well. The Bronze Star was awarded for leading his men on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6th, 1944 at the Easy Red sector. He was also awarded a Legion of Merit for France and Belgium, but is not on display. The rest of his medals are for campaigns in Europe and standard service awards.

Catalog Number MDL 0.05

This Purple Heart was awarded to Erasmus T Beall of the Top Secret Camouflage Corps for wounds received in Germany on March 23rd, 1945. He would be wounded in a German artillery strike which this piece of shrapnel hit him. It was removed and he placed it in a Red Cross Bag (reference catalog number MISC 0.008) which he took home. 

Catalog Number MDL 0.06

This Purple Heart was given to the family of Charles Lods of the 2nd Infantry Division after he was killed in Normandy France sometime between June 6th and June 7th, 1944. The 2nd Infantry Division was the first full division to come ashore on Omaha Beach after it was secured. Immediately began the hedgerow fighting off the beaches in which Charles was among the casualties. His mother fought for years to establish her son had died on D-Day, but to no avail.