United States. A Korean Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart Group To Private First Class Andrew Brill

United States. Silver Star with 5/16 inch Star (Bronze gilt with a silver star affixed to the centre on the obverse, engraved in capitals "ANDREW J. BRILL JR.” on the reverse, 35x36mm, silver star on original ribbon, extremely fine condition); Bronze Star with V Device (bronze, 35x36mm, bronze V Device on original ribbon, dark patina, extremely fine condition); Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster (bronze gilt and enamels, 35x43mm, oak bronze oak leaf cluster on original ribbon, slight contact marks, wear on reverse); National Defense Medal (bronze, 31.5mm, original ribbon, very fine condition); Army Good Conduct Medal with two hitches on bronze bar (bronze, 32mm, original ribbon, slight surface contact, near extremely fine); Army of Occupation Medal (bronze, 32mm, original ribbon, slight wear and edge bruising); Korean Service Medal (bronze, 31.5mm, original ribbon, slight contact marks and edge bruising, very fine condition); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (bronze, 32mm, original ribbon, near extremely fine condition); United Nations Korea Medal with KOREA clasp (bronze, 35.5mm, bronze KOREA clasp on original ribbon, very fine condition). Mounted on a three-tier bar with four pins and two tie tack backs.

Accompanied by: Miniature set of Silver Star with 5/16 Inch Star (bronze, 17mm); Bronze Star with V Device (bronze, 18mm); Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster (bronze gilt and enamels, 28x22mm); Army Good Conduct Medal (bronze, 15.5mm). Mounted as originally worn, American style, with reinforced back. All on slightly worn original ribbons, very fine conditions; Miniature set of National Defense Medal (bronze, 16mm); Army of Occupation Medal (bronze, 16mm); Korean Service Medal with 5/16 inch Star (bronze, 15mm, 5/16 inch bronze star on original ribbon); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (bronze, 16mm); United Nations Korea Medal with KOREA clasp built into suspension bar (bronze, 19mm). Mounted as originally worn, American style, with reinforced back. All on original ribbons, very fine conditions. One three-tiered replacement ribbon bar: Silver Star; Bronze Star with V Device; Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Good Conduct Medal; Army of Occupation Medal; National Defense Medal; Korean Service Medal with five 5/16 Inch Stars; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; United Nations National Service Medal. Mounted on reinforced cloth bar, pin bar loose. Korea Presidential Unit Citation and United States Presidential Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters in frames (15x73mm, reinforced back with one loose pin). Army Medical Corp Officer Badge (stamped G-23, 29x25mm, two pins with single tie tack back); Army Combat Medical Badge (38x30mm, dark patina, very fine condition). Single Dog Tag (aluminium, stamped BRILL / ANDREW J. JR. / RA16288092 / O / ROMAN CATHOLIC, 28x50mm). Four photographs of Andrew Brill. Military Order of the Purple Heart Member card, 1998.

Footnote:

Andrew Brill, of Cook Illinois, was a Private First Class in the 1st Cavalry Division, serving in the United States Army in Korea in 1950. On September 18, 1950, Brill was an aidman of the Medical Company 5th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Cavalry Division near Waegwan.  He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action after he attempted to throw a grenade away that had landed near two wounded soldiers. The grenade exploded, injuring his face and neck, however, he shielded the other men with his body saving them from possible death. He returned to duty following being wounded. Pte Brill is believed to have moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario following the war, and a member of the Korean Veteran Association of Canada.