Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War Distinguished Flying Cross group of seven named to Staff Sergeant Robert A. Grimes, 545th Bomber Squadron, shot down and made prisoner-of-war, 30 January 1944

Distinguished Flying Cross, reverse machine engraved, ‘S/Sgt. R. A. Grimes 6983789 1-30-44’, crimp brooch; Air Medal, with five oak leaf clusters, reverse machine engraved, ‘S/Sgt. R. A. Grimes 6983789 1-30-44’, crimp brooch; Purple Heart, enamelled, slot brooch; Prisoner of War Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal; Victory Medal; Unit Citation Bar, good very fine and better (7) £300-350

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

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Robert Albert Grimes was born in Miami, Indiana in 1922. He enlisted into the Air Corps at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on 11 December 1941. As a Staff Sergeant (6983789) tail gunner aboard B-17F Fortress “We Dood It!”, of the 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy), he was shot down on 30 January 1944 in a raid on Brunswick, Germany. Grimes plane was attacked by a Focke-Wulf 190 and was seen to fall out of formation, out of control and in flames. Grimes managed to bail out before the aircraft exploded and was captured; six other members of the crew died in the attack. He was liberated at the end of the war. He died at San Joaquin on 9 October 1988.

With copied casualty questionnaire and missing aircrew report, with other copied research. With 8th Air Force cloth patch 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.