Named 1st Division D-Day Veteran Silver Star / Purple Heart Medals and Documents Group

The group is comprised of the medals and documents of Sergeant John M. Paulson, who landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, and who fought through to the end of the war with the 26th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. The group includes the Silver Star decoration, slot brooch suspension, named on the reverse “John M. Paulson”, in the titled black leather case, together ribbon bar and the enamel lapel badge; the Bronze Star decoration. slot brooch suspension, unnamed: the Purple Heart decoration, slot brooch suspension, unnamed as awarded in the theater of operations, in the titled black leather case, together with a ribbon bar and the enamel lapel badge; boxed U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal, officially hand engraved “John M. Paulson”, with the ribbon bar and lapel badge; the box shows wear and the lower section is missing one side; boxed European Campaign Medal, crimp brooch suspension, with the ribbon bearing five campaign stars and an arrowhead device, together with the ribbon bar bearing five campaign stars and an arrowhead device; boxed World War II Victory Medal, crimp brooch suspension, with ribbon bar; and the boxed World War II Army of Occupation Medal with “Germany” bar, crimp brooch suspension, with ribbon bar. The group also includes a color portrait photograph of Paulson in uniform, approximately 7-7/8 inches by 9-3/4 inches. Paulson was promoted to Sergeant on June 2, 1944 aboard LCI#615 on his way across the English channel. He landed on Omaha Beach, fox green sector on D Day June 6th, 1944. His company advanced on Colleville Sur Mer and saw heavy fighting in the hedgerows with the 115th and 18th Infantry on June 7th and 8th. On June 9th they advanced to St Anne and engaged advancing German troops who overran their positions with many casualties on both sides. Paulson was wounded in this action with a grenade fragment to his chest and was evacuated. Original documents in the group consist of the document for the award of the Purple Heart dated June 28, 1944, issued by the 15th General Hospital. Additional original documents include the citation for the award of the Bronze Star for a specific act of valor on February 26, 1945; the the citation for the award of the Silver Star for valor on May 3, 1945 – both with 1st Division embossed stamps and a 1949 document authorizing an oak leaf cluster to the Bronze Star, this being reflective of the award of the Combat Infantry Badge. Also included in the group is a sterling silver Combat Infantry Badge; a wool overseas cap, size 6-7/8, with a small hole in the front edge and bearing the distinctive unit insignia of the 26th Infantry Regiment; a “Ruptured Duck” honorable discharge badge; and an American Legion member lapel pin on the card. The group includes photocopies of some research on Paulson’s service. Overall the items in the group are in very good to excellent condition.