Cased and Named WWII U.S. Marine Corps Guadalcanal Purple Heart Medals Group

The group is comprised of the medals of U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant Clarence Aldridge, who was wounded in action on Guadalcanal on September 14, 1942, while serving with the 1st Marine Division. The group includes Aldridge’s named Purple Heart, on a gilt slot brooch suspension, engraved “Clarence R. Aldridge USMC”. The Purple Heart shows wear to the gilt finish. It is contained within the titled Navy “coffin” case and it is accompanied by the formal citation document, issued in 1957. The group further includes Aldridge’s U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, unnamed; American Defense Medal, on a slot brooch suspension; American Campaign Medal, crimp brooch suspension; Pacific Campaign Medal, crimp brooch suspension, in the U.S. Mint box with Marine Corps contract label, including the ribbon bar; The World War II Victory Medal, slot brooch suspension; the National Defense Medal, crimp brooch suspension; the Korean Campaign Medal, boxed, crimp brooch suspension; and the United Nations Medal for Korea, boxed. All of the medals are in very good to excellent condition. The group also includes two 1st Marine Division patches, both fully embroidered World War II period patches, one of which is a white back patch and the other one having scrapbook adhesive residue on the reverse. There is also an engraved plaque with Aldridge’s name, apparently used in a display of his medals. The group includes photocopies of materials from Aldridge’s Marine Corps personnel file.