A Korean War Pair With U.s. Citation To The Commando Royal Marines, Special Forces

A Korean War Pair with U.S. Citation to the 41 Independent Commando Royal Marines, Special Forces; Korea Medal, First Obverse (PO/X.5823 L.M. KENNEDY SGT. R.M.); United Nations Korea Medal; with U.S. Presidential Unit Citation (Air Force and Army version) affixed. Naming is impressed in small serif capitals on the KM, the UNKM is un-named as issued. Court-mounted, original ribbons, edge nicks, contact marks, fine. Accompanied by a United Nations Photograph (black and white, gloss finish, reverse inscribed "(KOR:FSUN:ACT:UK*) / BRITISH COMMANDO UNITS IN KOREA / UN...33887 - British Commando units attached to the United Nations forces in Korea have made several daring raids deep into enemy territory. Here, during such a raid, Commandos of the 41st Royal British Marines struggle up a steep hill after landing near Songjin, in North Korea. They are going to destroy important enemy supply lines. Amtracks, operated by U.S. Marines, in which they landed are at right. / North Korea, April 1951. / Please credit: UNATIONS (from US Navy) / USN/pcd", 202 mm x 254 mm); a Letter from a Veteran, Sergeant P.D. (Pat) Murphy, 41 Independent Commando Royal Marines (two pages in handwritten black ink, dated July 20, 1987); along with copies of assorted research papers, including an article from the Australian Coin Review of May 1987, illustrating and discussing these medals.

Footnote: Sergeant L.M. Kennedy, 41 Independent Commando Royal Marines, was issued the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation, for action with the 1st U.S. Marine Division at Chosin Reservoir in 1950 during the Korean War. The Presidential Unit Citation was awarded to members of 41 Royal Marine Commando in 1957, for gallantry on the Chosin Plateau during the fighting withdrawal from Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri between November 27 and December 11, 1950. The citation is worn in perpetuity by members who were on the strength of the unit at the time of the action for which it was awarded. The award was the Navy and Marine Corps version, which is the streamer flown from the colours. However, British veterans weren't allowed to wear the ribbon. The Army and Air Force citation was known as the "Distinguished Unit Badge" during the Korean War era, but was later designated to the "Presidential Unit Citation" (Air Force and Army) in 1966. It is suspected that Kennedy managed to get hold of an Air Force and Army Presidential Unit Citation emblem and had it added to the pair.