Cased Posthumous WWII U.S. Navy Officer Kamikaze Attack Purple Heart

The silver gilt Purple Heart has a split brooch suspension and it is officially hand engraved to “Ensign Nathan F. Piccirilli USNR”. Ensign Piccirilli was serving on the Destroyer Escort USS Liddle in operations in the Philippine Islands when, on December 7, 1944, the ship came under aerial attack and it was struck in the Bridge by a Kamikaze pilot, resulting in the loss of 38 officers and men, including Ensign Piccirilli. The Purple Heart is in near mint condition. The case shows minor signs of age.