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United States. A Korean War Navy Cross & Purple Heart To Captain Word For Commanding A Relief Force Under Enemy Fire 1952
United States. A Korean War Navy Cross & Purple Heart To Captain Word For Commanding A Relief Force Under Enemy Fire 1952
SKU: ITEM: M0273-121
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Shipping Details
eMedals offers rapid domestic and international shipping. Orders received prior to 12:00pm (EST) will be shipped on the same business day.* Orders placed on Canadian Federal holidays will be dispatched the subsequent business day. Courier tracking numbers are provided for all shipments. All items purchased from eMedals can be returned for a full monetary refund or merchandise credit, providing the criteria presented in our Terms & Conditions are met. *Please note that the addition of a COA may impact dispatch time.
Description
Description
1. Group of Six: Navy Cross (engraved in running script "John G. Word" on the upper arm on the reverse); Purple Heart with Second Award Gold Star (engraved in italic capitals "JOHN G. WORD 2/LT. U.S.M.C." on the reverse); World War II Victory Medal; Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars; National Defense Service Medal; and United Nations Service Medal for Korea.
2. Three Ribbon Bars: 1 - Navy Cross, Purple Heart with Bronze Star, Navy Unit Commendation; 2 - World War II Victory Medal, Republic of the Philippines Philippine Independence Medal, National Defense Service Medal; 3 - Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Battle Stars, United Nations Service Medal for Korea, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
3. Captain Collar Rank Insignia Pair.
4. Purple Heart Award Document (named to John C. Word, dated August 9, 1972, "for wounds received in action in Korea on 6 September and 20 December 1952, while a member of the U.S. Marine Corps", measuring 286 mm (w) x 203 mm (h)).
5. Defence Department Photograph of First Lieutenant John G. Word (black and white, taken at San Diego on September 1, 1953, measuring 206 mm (w) x 253 mm (h)).
6. Reproduction Photograph of First Lieutenant John G. Word (duo-tone, measuring 45 mm (w) x 58 mm (h)).
7. Official Secretary of the Navy, Navy Cross Citation named to Second Lieutenant John G. Word USMC Reserve (with Department of the Navy, United States Marine Corps embossed stamp, measuring 202 mm (w) x 286 mm (h)).
8. Twelve pages of his Service Records.
9. A Brief Biography of His Career in the Marine Corps.
Near extremely fine.
Footnote: John Gordon Wood was born on May 17, 1927 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. He enlisted with the United States Marine Corps Reserve (SN 574224) on April 24, 1945 and attended Boot Camp at Paris Island in South Carolina, where he was promoted to Private First Class on April 18, 1946, with "Military Police" as his specialty. Word was posted overseas to the Naval Operating Base, Marine Detachment at Subic Bay, Philippines for four months, from May 12 to September 16, 1946 and was honorably discharged in the rank of Private First Class on October 19, 1946.
Word re-enlisted with the United States Marine Corps Reserve on June 20, 1947, but was inactive as he was attending Texas A&M College in College Station, Texas, from 1946 to 1951, graduating in Business Administration. During this time, he was promoted to the ranks of Corporal on June 20, 1947 and to Sergeant on July 9, 1948. He re-enlisted for a second time with the United States Marine Corps Reserve (SN 054219) and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on September 18, 1951.
He was posted to the 2nd Training Battalion at MSC Quantico from October 9, 1951 to March 8, 1952, then posted to "A" Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton, California from March 26, 1952 to April 29, 1952. Second Lieutenant Word was part of the 21st Replacement Draft from April 30 to June 3, 1952 and was sent overseas to the Korean theater on May 16, 1952. In Korea, he was initially with "B" Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines as an observer and forward observer from June 4 to August 5, 1952. He later assumed the role of Platoon Leader with "I" Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines from August 6, 1952 to February 9, 1953.
Second Lieutenant John Gordon Word, United States Marine Corps, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) earned the Navy Cross on September 6, 1952, by authority of the Board of Awards, for actions during the Korean War: Serial 382 (May 14, 1953). That day, he was wounded in action in his right hand, which was caused by mortar fragments. His citation online for the award (with the wording varying versus the official citation letter issued to him in this group) states: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant John G. Word (MCSN: 0-54219), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Rifle Platoon Commander of Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea from 5 to 7 September 1952.
Assigned the mission of commanding a relief force for a badly depleted unit occupying a combat outpost more than one mile forward of the main line of resistance, Second Lieutenant Word, although wounded during the initial stages of the action, bravely exposed himself to enemy fire to supervise the evacuation of the casualties, skillfully deployed his men and directed the construction of defensive positions while subjected to persistent hostile artillery and mortar fire. When the outpost was attacked during the night by a reinforced enemy company supported by an intense mortar and artillery barrage, he engaged the hostile force in a fierce fire fight and, maintaining effective control of his unit, directed his men in successfully repulsing the assault.
Throughout repeated attacks on the following night by numerically superior enemy forces of approximately battalion strength, he continuously exposed himself to hostile fire to direct the supporting arms and, controlling and coordinating the fire of his unit with outstanding tactical skill, inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. Constantly moving among his men to encourage and reassure them between assaults, he directed the preparation of defenses in readiness for further attacks and administered timely assistance to the casualties, greatly aiding in saving the lives of three of the wounded Marines. Second Lieutenant Word's forceful and determined leadership served to inspire his men to heroic endeavor in successfully defending the strategic outpost. His superb courage and valiant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service."
Word was promoted to First Lieutenant on December 1, 1952 and nineteen days later, he was wounded in action for a second time on December 20th. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Korea on September 6 and December 20, 1952, while a member of the United States Marine Corps, the second award designated by a gold star on its ribbon. He assumed the role of Assistant S-3 with H&S Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines from February 10 to 24, 1953, then became Platoon Leader with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines from February 25 to March 21, 1953, followed by assuming the role of Platoon Leader with the Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division from March 22 to July 22, 1953. First Lieutenant Word returned to the United States on July 24, 1953, where he was posted to the 1st Training Battalion at Marine Corps Reserve Depot in San Diego, California from August 28 to December 19, 1953. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in the United States Marine Corps on March 18, 1954 and is documented as having been overseas from May 21, 1958 to June 7, 1959 while CO Commanding, H&S Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Mardiv. He resigned and was honorably discharged from service on August 17, 1952 in the rank of Captain.
In addition to the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart with Second Award Gold Star, he was also a recipient of the Navy Unit Commendation (ribbon), the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Battle Stars, the United Nations Service Medal for Korea, the Republic of the Philippines Philippine Independence Medal (ribbon) and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (ribbon). John Gordon Word died on July 18, 1986, Orange County, California, at the age of 59 and is buried in Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Riverside County, California, Section 20, Site 103.
1. Group of Six: Navy Cross (engraved in running script "John G. Word" on the upper arm on the reverse); Purple Heart with Second Award Gold Star (engraved in italic capitals "JOHN G. WORD 2/LT. U.S.M.C." on the reverse); World War II Victory Medal; Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars; National Defense Service Medal; and United Nations Service Medal for Korea.
2. Three Ribbon Bars: 1 - Navy Cross, Purple Heart with Bronze Star, Navy Unit Commendation; 2 - World War II Victory Medal, Republic of the Philippines Philippine Independence Medal, National Defense Service Medal; 3 - Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Battle Stars, United Nations Service Medal for Korea, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
3. Captain Collar Rank Insignia Pair.
4. Purple Heart Award Document (named to John C. Word, dated August 9, 1972, "for wounds received in action in Korea on 6 September and 20 December 1952, while a member of the U.S. Marine Corps", measuring 286 mm (w) x 203 mm (h)).
5. Defence Department Photograph of First Lieutenant John G. Word (black and white, taken at San Diego on September 1, 1953, measuring 206 mm (w) x 253 mm (h)).
6. Reproduction Photograph of First Lieutenant John G. Word (duo-tone, measuring 45 mm (w) x 58 mm (h)).
7. Official Secretary of the Navy, Navy Cross Citation named to Second Lieutenant John G. Word USMC Reserve (with Department of the Navy, United States Marine Corps embossed stamp, measuring 202 mm (w) x 286 mm (h)).
8. Twelve pages of his Service Records.
9. A Brief Biography of His Career in the Marine Corps.
Near extremely fine.
Footnote: John Gordon Wood was born on May 17, 1927 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. He enlisted with the United States Marine Corps Reserve (SN 574224) on April 24, 1945 and attended Boot Camp at Paris Island in South Carolina, where he was promoted to Private First Class on April 18, 1946, with "Military Police" as his specialty. Word was posted overseas to the Naval Operating Base, Marine Detachment at Subic Bay, Philippines for four months, from May 12 to September 16, 1946 and was honorably discharged in the rank of Private First Class on October 19, 1946.
Word re-enlisted with the United States Marine Corps Reserve on June 20, 1947, but was inactive as he was attending Texas A&M College in College Station, Texas, from 1946 to 1951, graduating in Business Administration. During this time, he was promoted to the ranks of Corporal on June 20, 1947 and to Sergeant on July 9, 1948. He re-enlisted for a second time with the United States Marine Corps Reserve (SN 054219) and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on September 18, 1951.
He was posted to the 2nd Training Battalion at MSC Quantico from October 9, 1951 to March 8, 1952, then posted to "A" Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton, California from March 26, 1952 to April 29, 1952. Second Lieutenant Word was part of the 21st Replacement Draft from April 30 to June 3, 1952 and was sent overseas to the Korean theater on May 16, 1952. In Korea, he was initially with "B" Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines as an observer and forward observer from June 4 to August 5, 1952. He later assumed the role of Platoon Leader with "I" Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines from August 6, 1952 to February 9, 1953.
Second Lieutenant John Gordon Word, United States Marine Corps, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) earned the Navy Cross on September 6, 1952, by authority of the Board of Awards, for actions during the Korean War: Serial 382 (May 14, 1953). That day, he was wounded in action in his right hand, which was caused by mortar fragments. His citation online for the award (with the wording varying versus the official citation letter issued to him in this group) states: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant John G. Word (MCSN: 0-54219), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Rifle Platoon Commander of Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea from 5 to 7 September 1952.
Assigned the mission of commanding a relief force for a badly depleted unit occupying a combat outpost more than one mile forward of the main line of resistance, Second Lieutenant Word, although wounded during the initial stages of the action, bravely exposed himself to enemy fire to supervise the evacuation of the casualties, skillfully deployed his men and directed the construction of defensive positions while subjected to persistent hostile artillery and mortar fire. When the outpost was attacked during the night by a reinforced enemy company supported by an intense mortar and artillery barrage, he engaged the hostile force in a fierce fire fight and, maintaining effective control of his unit, directed his men in successfully repulsing the assault.
Throughout repeated attacks on the following night by numerically superior enemy forces of approximately battalion strength, he continuously exposed himself to hostile fire to direct the supporting arms and, controlling and coordinating the fire of his unit with outstanding tactical skill, inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. Constantly moving among his men to encourage and reassure them between assaults, he directed the preparation of defenses in readiness for further attacks and administered timely assistance to the casualties, greatly aiding in saving the lives of three of the wounded Marines. Second Lieutenant Word's forceful and determined leadership served to inspire his men to heroic endeavor in successfully defending the strategic outpost. His superb courage and valiant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service."
Word was promoted to First Lieutenant on December 1, 1952 and nineteen days later, he was wounded in action for a second time on December 20th. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Korea on September 6 and December 20, 1952, while a member of the United States Marine Corps, the second award designated by a gold star on its ribbon. He assumed the role of Assistant S-3 with H&S Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines from February 10 to 24, 1953, then became Platoon Leader with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines from February 25 to March 21, 1953, followed by assuming the role of Platoon Leader with the Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division from March 22 to July 22, 1953. First Lieutenant Word returned to the United States on July 24, 1953, where he was posted to the 1st Training Battalion at Marine Corps Reserve Depot in San Diego, California from August 28 to December 19, 1953. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in the United States Marine Corps on March 18, 1954 and is documented as having been overseas from May 21, 1958 to June 7, 1959 while CO Commanding, H&S Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Mardiv. He resigned and was honorably discharged from service on August 17, 1952 in the rank of Captain.
In addition to the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart with Second Award Gold Star, he was also a recipient of the Navy Unit Commendation (ribbon), the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Battle Stars, the United Nations Service Medal for Korea, the Republic of the Philippines Philippine Independence Medal (ribbon) and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (ribbon). John Gordon Word died on July 18, 1986, Orange County, California, at the age of 59 and is buried in Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Riverside County, California, Section 20, Site 103.
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Item : M0273-121
United States. A Korean War Navy Cross & Purple Heart To Captain Word For Commanding A Relief Force Under Enemy Fire 1952
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