United States. A Pacific Theater Silver Star Group To Sergeant James E. Chester, United States Army

Includes:

1. Group of Eight: Silver Star (engraved "J. CHESTER" on the reverse); Bronze Star with "V" Device and Oak Leaf Cluster (engraved "J. CHESTER" on the reverse); Purple Heart; Army Good Conduct Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; each with its original ribbon and brooch pinback.

2. four Enameled Ribbon Bars: Silver Star; Bronze Star; Purple Heart; Army Good Conduct Medal.

3. Army Presidential Unit Citation.

4. Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge (marked "STERLING" on the reverse), with two Clasps: Rifle and Carbine (the Rifle clasp maker marked "N.S. MEYER, INC. NEW YORK" on the reverse).

5. Combat Infantryman Badge (in sterling silver with blue enamels, marked "STERLING" on the reverse).

6. two Collar Disks: U.S. Army Collar Disk, Infantry Collar Disk.

7. U.S. Army Service Ring (two-piece construction, insignia in sterling silver with red, white and blue enamels, mounted to a ring base, marked "STERLING" on the inside of the ring).

8. Department of the Army Mailing Card: addressed to "Mr. James E. Chester / 45 Belmont Avenue / Mt. Vernon, Ohio", postmarked January 9, 1956 at St. Louis, Missouri, in regards to his Purple Heart. Accompanied by copies of his Service Records. Near extremely fine.

Footnote: James E. Chester was born on January 12, 1923 in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He originally served with the United States Army as a Private with Company "I", 112th Med Regt (NG), from May 6, 1940 to September 1, 1940, before he was honorably discharged, as he was underage. He re-enlisted with the Army as a Private (35 599 986) on January 22, 1943 at Akron, Ohio, stating that he was a High School Student (Labor) and that he was Single.

He would serve in the rank of Sergeant at Company "A" Headquarters, Battalion General Headquarters, South West Pacific Area and was discharged upon demobilization at Central Camp in Attenbury, Indiana, on December 30, 1945, credited with having participated during the New Guinea campaign, as part of the South Philippines Liberation and at the Battle of Luzon.

He was issued the Bronze Star for the New Guinea campaign, as well as being awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Army Good Conduct Medal. For his Second World War service, he was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

In his records, he is acknowledged as a recipient of the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars (although the stars do not appear on the ribbon of the medal presented here). James E. Chester was married to Margaret T. Chester (born 1926, died 2006, age 79-80). He died on August 31, 1985, at the age of 60. Both he and his wife are buried in Mound View Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio.