Summer MILITARIA - FILM - BASEBALL - More
Lot 194:
Description
This is the kind of grouping that is rarely seen and tends to be underappreciated by collectors, but the recipient’s contributions to the war effort and the defense of his country should not be forgotten. These items were earned by USCG Commander Richard T. Houlette. The group is stellar with original named USMS color wallet cards for the Combat Bar, Defense War Zone, Atlantic War Zone, and Pacific War Zone. There are six WWII vintage ribbons for the veteran with the four previously mentioned ribbons as well as the WWII Victory Medal ribbon and the Merchant Marine Victory Medals. These wallet cards are VERY tough to find. The grouping includes a five place medal bar which includes the WWII Victory Medal, National Defense, Korea Service Medal, Korea UN medal, and the Merchant Marine Victory Medal. Commander Houlette also earned a USCG Pistol Marksmanship medal that was not mounted with the other medals. Also in the group is a USCG Command at Sea Badge and a matched pair of USCG Commander shoulder boards with beautiful bullion USCG shields. I believe the Command at Sea and the shoulder boards to be Vietnam era. Probably the best piece in the grouping is CDR Houlette’s Merchant Marine Officer’s cap device that is still attached to the black, woven cap band. The badge appears to be made of stamped silver and is made of three pieces plus the screw nuts, which incidentally, are the same type as found on WWII USMC EG&A devices. This is one of the more interesting groupings that I have seen to an officer who served in the US Merchant Marine in World War II, and later served as an officer in the US Coast Guard accumulating over 30 years of service.
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