Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Purple Heart group of twelve attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Rule, U.S. Air Force, who in his capacity as an attorney was involved in the recovery of plundered art and cultural treasures following the collapse of the Third Reich: so, too, employed an acting Judge in Aachen

Purple Heart, unnumbered, slot brooch; Air Force Commendation Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, five bronze stars on ribbon; Victory Medal 1945, slot brooch; Army of Occupation Medal, 1 clasp, Germany; National Defense Service Medal; Air Force Reserve Medal; G.B., 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, British medals mounted as worn, all unnamed, U.S. medals all crimp brooch except where stated, good very fine and better (12) £100-140

Ex F.J.P. Auctions.

William R. Rule enlisted in January 1942, listing his profession as ‘Attorney’ and graduated from O.C.S. After the war he was involved in the recovery of plundered art and cultural treasures from the formerly occupied countries. As a Lieutenant he was in a New York hospital suffering with concussion, April 1945. Served as the State of Hesse Assets Control Chief. A Stars and Stripes article (not with lot) related his service as a judge in Aachen, in the British Occupied Sector, dealing with cases involving former Nazis. As an Air Force Major, Rule was general counsel to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Lieutenant-Colonel Rule was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in January 1955 for developing a forensic course and a space law abstracting programme. Lieutenant-Colonel Rule retired due to physical disability in February 1966 and died in September 1967 and was buried in the Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.

With original certificate and citation for the Commendation Medal, for Meritorious Service during the period, 31 July 1964-31 January 1966, this in card folder of the ‘Aerospace Medical Division, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force; U.S. Group Control Council Pass, bearing his photograph and U.S.A.F. Outstanding Unit Award ribbon and Air Force Longevity Service Award ribbon - this with four oak leaf clusters. Medals and ribbons in wooden, glass-fronted case, 365 x 310mm. With some copied research.