United States. A Purple Heart To 2Nd Lt. Soliday, 14 Fighter Group, Mia In Tunisia, January 1943

United States. Purple Heart, two-piece construction bronze gilt and enamels, 34mm (w) x 47mm (h), reverse engraved RICHARD H. SOLIDAY, on original ribbon with brooch pinback, slight contact wear on obverse, extremely fine condition, with lapel pin, enamel, 17mm (w) x 12.5mm (h), very fine condition, both in original case of issue, 89mm (w) x 164mm (h) x 24mm (d), stamped PURPLE HEART on outside lid, slight contact wear on outside, interior casing torn exposing metal hook, very fine condition.

Footnote: Richard Harvey Soliday was born on January 14, 1922. On February 7, 1942, he became an Aviation Cadet, reporting 136 hours of flight time when he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on September 29 of the same year. In October he was moved from Luke Field Phoenix, Arizona to Orange County in California, and later Morrison Field, Florida in December 1942. By January 1943, Soliday was serving with the 48th Squadron of the 14th Fighter Group, in the North African Campaign (Tunisia Campaign). On January 23, Soliday participated on a fighter sweep mission over Medenine, led by Major Walles which encompassed 16 ship flights of P38s. When returning to the base, they were attacked by Me-109s. The mission report states they “proceeded on course and entered overcast just short of Medenine, Tunisia. Broke out of overcast over enemy airdrome South of Medenine. Sighted innumerable enemy aircraft on airdrome, some landing and some taking off. Engagement ensued as our mission made for base. Motorized columns were straffed during engagement and 25 miscellaneous motor vehicles were destroyed, mostly trucks. Captain Watson attacked one Me-109 G on Lt. Yates’ tail. Enemy aircraft was seen to burst into flames and crash. Ground equipment was accompanied by light flak put up intense, and a small amount of heavy flak. 6 pilots and planes failed to return. Lt. Shipman and Lt. Soliday were lost from formation near Gafsa, Tunisia, and are believed safe.” Lt. Shipman made it back to an American outpost but had no information on Lt. Soliday’s whereabouts.

On January 23, 1944, following the regulations of Section 5, Public Law 490, 77th Congress, 7 March 1942, the War Department presumed Soliday’s date of death January 23, 1943. The memorandum from July 1948 stated that no additional information regarding the missing individuals had been found. His effects, including clothing, a knife, a fountain pen, and personal file were sent to his mother, Annie, in Lebanon Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, his personnel and medical records cannot be sourced due to a fire in 1973. He is memorialized at the North African Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia, and was awarded a purple heart for his sacrifice.