Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Purple Heart group of five named to Sergeant John H. Wright, 5037th Composite Unit (Provisional) ‘Merrill’s Marauders’, killed in action, Myitkyina, Burma, 15 July 1944

Purple Heart, reverse hand engraved, ‘John H. Wright’, slot brooch; Army Good Conduct Medal, reverse impressed, ‘John H. Wright’, slot brooch; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, one bronze star on ribbon; Victory Medal 1945, good very fine and better (5) £400-500

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

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John Herman Wright was born in Ossining, New York on 10 December 1925. He was educated at Park and Ossining High Schools and graduated from high school in June 1943. Drafted into the infantry that same year, he trained at Camp Swift, Texas, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and in Louisiana before being stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland. He had applied for transfer to aviation cadet training, howver before this could be effected he was posted overseas. Ranked as a Sergeant, he served in the 5037th Composite Unit (Provisional), popularly known as ‘Merrill’s Marauders’ - named after their commander, General Frank Merrill.

On 24 February 1944, 2750 men of the ‘Marauders’ began a 750 mile march from the Patkai region of India, into the thick Burmese jungle and behind enemy lines. After fighting four major engagements with the enemy and suffering from disease and lack of provisions, about 1,300 men assaulted and took the Japanese airfield at Myitkyina on 17 May 1944. Outnumbered, in the fierce fighting to take the town of the same name, Sergeant Wright was killed in action on 15 July 1944 - suffering gunshot wounds to the head. With reinforcements the town fell to the Allies on 3 August 1944. By the time the town was taken, only 200 of the original Marauders were present. Soon after the unit was disbanded. In June 1944 the unit was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation. Later, each member of the unit was awarded the Bronze Star.

In February 1947 his medals were forwarded to his mother: ‘Mrs Virginia McGraw Wright, 154 Main Street, Ossining, New York.’

With original Purple Heart certificate of award, dated 2 December 1944. With a photograph of Sergeant Wright; copied service papers and copied newspaper cuttings re. his death in action. Also with an identity disk, ‘John H Wright 32810378 T43--44 A P’; and with a ‘Merrill’s Marauders cloth patch, riband bars, citation bar and metal insignia 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.