Original Items: Only One Grouping Available. This is a fantastic Tank Battalion grouping for 1st Sergeant John A. Suglio (ASN:21121151). While serving as a member of a combat team attacking a hill position, one of the tanks was hit by enemy fire. With utter disregard for his own personal safety and advancing heroically in the face of intense enemy mortar, small arms, and anti-tank gun fire, First Sergeant Suglio proceeded to the disabled tank and rescued two crew members therefrom. He also carried two wounded infantrymen to a place of safety and made possible their evacuation to an aid station. While we were unable to find much of his service information, this still makes for an excellent research opportunity.

The items in this grouping:

- Purple Heart Replacement Medal Set: Comes complete with the medal, ribbon device and lapel device. No markings.

- Bronze Star With “V” Valor Device Replacement Medal Set: Comes complete with the medal, ribbon device and lapel device. No markings.

- Silver Star Replacement Medal Set: Comes complete with the medal, ribbon device and lapel device. No markings.

We were fortunate enough to find his citation online:

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Sergeant John A. Suglio (ASN: 31121151), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 702d Tank Battalion, 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 28 November 1944 in France. On that date, First Sergeant Suglio was a member of a combat team attacking a hill position. During the assault, one of the tanks was hit by enemy fire. With utter disregard for his own personal safety and advancing heroically in the face of intense enemy mortar, small arms, and anti-tank gun fire, First Sergeant Suglio proceeded to the disabled tank and rescued two crew members therefrom. He also carried two wounded infantrymen to a place of safety and made possible their evacuation to an aid station. His personal fearlessness, eager devotion to duty, and superior qualities of leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.”

- Belgian Fourragère: The Belgian fourragère of 1940 was created by Prince Charles of Belgium, Regent of the Kingdom to honor certain military formations that distinguished themselves during the Second World War. It consists of three cords terminated by a knot and a metal tag, and is braided in red and green; the colors of the Belgian Croix de guerre of 1940. The fourragère is in cotton for non-commissioned officers and soldiers and in silk for officers.

- x2 Documents; Honorable Discharge and Service Abstract: The details are still legible, confirms he was awarded the 3 medals listed above and would serve as a great foothold for conducting research.

- Army Good Conduct Medal With Ribbon

- US Collar Disc

- x3 Ruptured Duck Honorable Service Devices: 2 Pins, 1 Patch

- Tank Destroyer “Black Panther” Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Approved on September 22, 1942, the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) for the Tank Destroyer Force was created by the staff of General Andrew Bruce, its first commanding officer. The colors of the force were black and orange. Hence, the TD patch featured a powerful black panther crushing a tank in its jaws, all on an orange disk. The tank, which in the original version of the patch had eight bogie wheels, typified an American tank, not a German version. Insignia manufacturers had problems breaking numerous needles while completing all the bogie wheels, necessitating the four-wheel variation of the SSI, most common version.

- Panzer Officer Litzen Collar Tab: This example does appear to have been uniform removed. It is in good condition though the wool backing does have moth nips present.

This is a fantastic grouping and it comes more than ready for further research and display.