December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 107:
Description
This is an exceedingly rare, documented, and poignant grouping dedicated to First Lieutenant Richard Fuller Woodward, U.S. Army, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division, A.E.F., who was Killed in Action on October 9, 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The centerpiece is his Distinguished Service Cross DSC, the nation s second-highest award for combat valor, which is an original, early issue WWI cross presented in its distinctive maroon presentation case marked D.S.C. The DSC is confirmed as an officially issued medal with the control number 6872 stamped on the cross s edge, aligning with the included veteran s records. Lieutenant Woodward s DSC was awarded for extraordinary heroism in action near Cunel, France, on October 9, 1918, where disregarding his intense suffering from wounds, Lieutenant Woodward continued to lead and encourage his men until killed by another rain of machine-gun bullets. This profound act of bravery is further documented by the full citation and a photograph of his grave marker in France. The grouping is complete with his WWI Victory Medal, which includes the four campaign clasps SOMME OFFENSIVE, ST. MIHIEL, MEUSE-ARGONNE, and DEFENSIVE SECTOR, a period photograph of Lieutenant Woodward in uniform, and official documentation, representing a museum-quality memorial to a decorated WWI officer who died a hero.
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