A Second World War Distinguished Flying Cross group of six named to Staff Sergeant James Purnell, Jr., 390th Bomber Group, 8th Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, reverse machine engraved, ‘S/Sgt James Purnell, Jr. A.C.’, slot brooch; Air Medal, reverse machine engraved, ‘S/Sgt James Purnell, Jr A.C.’, full wrap brooch; Army Good Conduct Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Victory Medal, good very fine and better (6) £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Named and Attributable American Medal Groups.

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With photocopied newspaper cutting bearing recipient’s picture and reading: ‘FOUR AWARDS. Staff Sergeant James Purnell, son of James Purnell, W. Fell St., Summit Hill, who has been awarded the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf cluster awards, according to word received from the War Department by his father. Purnell, a waist gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, has been overseas since Aug. 1, 1943, being based in England. Entering the service in June, 1942, he received mechanics training at Keesler Field, Miss., and his gunner’s wings from a gunnery school in California. He was also stationed in Utah, Arkansas and Washington before being sent out of the country.’

With official letter from the C.O., H.Q. 390th Bombardment Group, ‘stating that Purnell had ‘served as a member of this command on combat duty in the European theater of Operations from 17 July 1943 to 13 December 1943. During this period he has served in the capacity of right waist gunner. He has flown a total of twenty-five (25) sorties, in the course of which were missions to enemy occupied Norway, France, and Holland and to such German cities as Emden, Marienburg, Bremen and Schweinfurt. He has been awarded the Air Medal and three (3) Oak Leaf Clusters thereto and has destroyed one (1) enemy aircraft. He has also been recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross. His duties during this period of combat have been executed in an excellent manner.’

With riband bars; Unit Citation Bar; Aerial Gunner Wings and cloth patch and stripes for display purposes.

This lot is sold as seen and is not subject to return. Please see saleroom notice on lot 280 for fuller details.