United States. The Purple Heart & Wings of Second Lieutenant Williams Jr. KIA, 82nd Fighter Group

Instituted August 7th 1782 by George Washington. (1945 issue). Constructed of bronze gilt with purple, red, white, and green enamels, in the shape of a heart, the obverse with a gilded leftward facing bust of George Washington affixed onto purple-coloured and heart-shaped enamels with the Coat of Arms of George Washington, consisting of a white enameled shield with two horizontally positioned red enameled bars and three horizontally positioned side-by-side red enameled five-pointed stars within a sprig of green enameled laurel leaves, the reverse consists of a raised bronze heart with the words “For Military Merit” in relief below the bronzen coat of arms, and officially engraved with “Robert B. Williams Jr.”, on a fixed horizontal ball and squared oval loop suspension from its ribbon with a horizontal pinback assembly for suspension, measuring 35.2 mm (w) x 47.2 mm (l) including its pierced ball suspension, weighing 36.31 grams. 

The Purple Heart is accompanied by its presentation case, constructed of a lightweight wooden frame with a textured black faux leather exterior, the exterior of the lid embossed with “Purple Heart” in capital letters as well as dual borders of golden wavy “crinkle crankle” lines on the top of the lid. The sides of the case are adorned with golden embossed lines on the top and bottom of the lid, the interior of the lid is lined in creamy off-white silk, with an intact interior silk hinge cover and felt medal bed, with a functional metal barrel hinge on the reverse of the case that is covered by a decorative strip of black leatherette, measuring measuring 145 mm (w) x 80 mm (l) x 27 mm (h).

The case of the Purple Heart is accompanied by its exterior cardboard box featuring a lift-off lid, with a boutonniere, a ribbon bar, two short strips of Purple Heart ribbon, as well as a note featuring the facsimile of Roland Walsh (Commanding Brigadier General), measuring 126 mm (w) x 73 mm (l).

A pair of United States Army Air Force Pilot’s Wings, consisting of a shield in the style of the American Coat of Arms with large stylized wings on either side, the reverse with a functional horizontal pinback, marked “LGB” and “Sterling”, measuring 76.1 mm (w) x 17.3 mm (l). 

A fine grouping of a Purple Heart and a pair of Pilot’s Wings, in overall near mint condition.

Footnote: Robert B. Williams Jr. (O-736443) was born in California and served in the U.S. Army Air Force with the rank of Second Lieutenant. He was stationed with the 97th Fighter Squadron of the 82nd Fighter Group and was reported missing on August 15th, 1945. He was laid to rest at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.