Original Item. Only One Available. This is a phenomenal set of insignia belonging to General Louis H. Wilson Jr., Medal of Honor recipient during World War II and Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975-1979. This insignia was sent by him to Kenneth Lazier, a well-known collector of General’s ephemera in the 1970s. There are five General’s stars, two Captain’s bars, and two Colonel eagles, along with a note of provenance signed by Wilson and a small packet of information on his service. There is also a small envelope and larger manila envelope that the insignia was originally stored in.

The lot includes five General’s stars, two with their pin backings and three without. Two are made by Antaya G.I., two marked N.S. Meyer New York Sterling, and one without a maker. The Captains bars are both marked Sterling 228, but one is missing one of its pinbacks. The Colonel’s eagles are both marked W-22-N.

The letter of provenance measures 8.5x7” and is dated 11 March 1974 and reads Dear Ken: Many thanks for your letter and I was delighted to learn of the story to be written by the London Daily Mirror correspondent about your collection. I’ll look forward to receiving a copy of the story at your convenience. Enclosed please find the items you requested and I’ve also included an autobiography for information. I appreciate your consideration and send my best wishes. Sincerely, Louis H. Wilson, Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps.

The packet of info he included has a two page autobiography and his Medal of Honor citation which reads

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Fonte Hill, Guam, Marianas Islands, 25 and July 26, 1944. Ordered to take that portion of the hill within his zone of action, Captain Wilson initiated his attack in midafternoon, pushed up the rugged, open terrain against terrific machine-gun and rifle fire for 300 yards and successfully captured the objective. Promptly assuming command of other disorganized units and motorized equipment in addition to his own company and one reinforcing platoon, he organized his night defenses in the face of continuous hostile fire and, although wounded three times during this five-hour period, completed his disposition of men and guns before retiring to the company command post for medical attention. Shortly thereafter, when the enemy launched the first of a series of savage counterattacks lasting all night, he voluntarily rejoined his besieged units and repeatedly exposed himself to the merciless hail of shrapnel and bullets, dashing fifty yards into the open on one occasion to rescue a wounded Marine lying helpless beyond the front lines. Fighting fiercely in hand-to-hand encounters, he led his men in furiously waged battle for approximately ten hours, tenaciously holding his line and repelling the fanatically renewed counterthrusts until he succeeded in crushing the last efforts of the hard-pressed Japanese early the following morning. Then, organizing a seventeen-man patrol, he immediately advanced upon a strategic slope essential to the security of his position and, boldly defying intense mortar, machine-gun and rifle fire which struck down thirteen of his men, drove relentlessly forward with the remnants of his patrol to seize the vital ground. By his indomitable leadership, daring combat tactics and dauntless valor in the face of overwhelming odds, Captain Wilson succeeded in capturing and holding the strategic high ground in his regimental sector, thereby contributing essentially to the success of his regimental mission and to the annihilation of 350 Japanese troops. His inspiring conduct throughout the critical periods of this decisive action enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. /S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

Wilson saw a great deal of combat and was awarded our nation’s highest honor, but even so afterwards served as the Commandant of the entire Marine Corps from 1975-79. Truly one of the most outstanding Marines in U.S. History. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary group!