United States. A Purple Heart,, 47Th Infantry, 9Th Division, Killed In Action During The Battle Of Saint-Lô

Two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with purple, red, white and green enamels, engraved "GIDEON K. MYERS" on the reverse, measuring 34.5 mm (w) x 43.3 mm (h), intact enamels, original ribbon with brooch pinback, greening and spotting evident on the reverse, light contact, very fine. Accompanied by its 35.5 mm (w) x 10.8 mm (h) ribbon bar with pinback and its 17 mm (w) x 3.7 mm (h) enameled ribbon bar with button hole attachment, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "PURPLE HEART" on the lid, scuffing and tape residue evident on the exterior, case also very fine.

Footnote: Gideon Kauffman Myers was born October 30, 1920 in Pennsylvania, the son of George E. Myers and Elsie Myers. He later married Henrietta Krout Myers, the couple settling in Red Lion, Pennsylvania and having a daughter, Darlene Flo. Myers was employed at the Reed Machinery Company in York, Pennsylvania and was a member of Ottertbein United Brethern Sunday School when he enlisted for service as a Private with the United States Army on November 9, 1942, receiving twenty-three weeks of basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia. Although never having a furlough, he was sent to North Africa, where he received his campaign ribbon. He later saw action in Sicily, where he was slightly wounded and was brought back to the Sixth General Hospital for medical care. Myers was then stationed in England, where he received vigorous training for the European Invasion. Private First Class Gideon Myers, 47th Infantry, 9th Division was Killed in Action during the Battle of Saint-Lô, France, on July 15, 1944, at the age of 23. The last letter received by his wife, Henrietta, was dated July 6th, and was received on July 17th, two days after his death. She was informed of his death by a telegram from the War Department on August 3rd. Besides his wife and mother, he left behind his twenty-two month old daughter, Darlene Flo. His father had predeceased him.