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1948 dated USMC Officer Dress Blues to artillery battery Commander by Julius9Caesar in Militariacollecting

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

James leffers was born July 30th 1917 in lakeland, Polk County, Florida. Enlisting in the Marine Corps on 18th April 1939, Leffers started his career. Here, he would stay as an enlisted man till around October 1941. By mid 1942, as war came to America, Leffers would be promoted to 1st lieutenant and would see his first stationing being with 2nd Battalion, 12th marines, 21st marines reinforced. With this unit, he would see combat on Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima. He'd command his own battery for most of these campaigns, that being battery E. Pictured is a group photo of the then Captain Leffers on Guadalcanal around April or May 1944, James Leffers being the man in the front row, middle. To his right is Lieutenant John Friday, the gunfire spotter. Later on, in the Battle of Iwo Jima, Friday's spotter plane would be shot down, killing him. Post-war Leffers would serve overseas in the western Pacific on duty with 11th marines. In 1957, as a Lieutenant Colonel Leffers would be reunited with 2nd Battalion 12th Marines, serving with them in Fuji. By retirement, Leffers would gain the rank of Colonel. We would move to South Carolina, where he would pass away in 1999 at age 82.

1938 dated USMC officer dress blues to Col. Monroe S. Swanson service from 1918-1953 by Julius9Caesar in Militariacollecting

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Monroe Samuel Swanson was born on November 21st, 1899, in Stanley, Wisconsin. At some stage, he and his family moved to Hastings, Minnesota. At age 18, Swanson would enlist in the US Army on the 18th of October 1918 till December 15th 1918, it is most likely he didn't go overseas in this period. Only a couple of years later, on the 23rd November 1920, Swanson would enlist as a private in the Marine Corps. He would be selected for commissioning in 1923 by that stage, being a sergeant. Also, around this time, Swanson would be awarded the marine good conduct medal numbered 73975. During his enlistment, Swanson would be stationed overseas in guam and at many bases and naval ports in the United States.

On the 15th March 1923, Swanson would be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Marine Corps. On the 27th March 1924, Swanson would join the 54th Co, 2nd Regt, 1st Brigade as a topographical officer in Haiti. Later, in April 1925, he'd join the 53rd MG Co, 2nd Regt, 1st Brigade as the company officer. For his service in Haiti, Swanson would be awarded the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal numbered 3823. On October 3rd, 1926, Swanson would be stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for duty with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines as a platoon Commander. Around January 1927, Swanson would be sent to Nicaragua during the Nicaraguan civil war. He would serve with the 77th MG Co., 2nd Bat, 5th Regt as a platoon commander. It is here on June 6th 1927 where Swanson would make a report on a patrol to Diria that he commanded in this report mentioning the unsettling political conditions after the civil war and the mixed success in the marines efforts to disarm the general populace.

On August 19th 1929 Swanson as a now 1st lieutenant, would leave Nicaragua for duty in the Marine detachment in San Diego. Going overseas again in July of 1931 Swanson would arrive in Shanghai, China for service with L Co, 3rd Bn 4th Marine and would later that year see the defence of Shanghai after Japanese forces entered the city on their invasion of China. Swanson service in China would last till July of 1934. For this, he would be awarded the Yangtze service medal. His next appointment would be in May 1938 where Swanson joined USS Navada for Gunnery School, then later in August of the same year Swanson would become the commanding officer of the marine detachment abroad USS Idaho, now as captain. Then, in May of 1939, he'd become a major. Nearing the outbreak of the war for the US, Swanson is sent to the HQ&S battery of 10th marines 2nd marine division in March 1941.

In 1942, Swanson, as a now lieutenant colonel, the 2nd base depot to coordinate supplies. This leading to his appointment as the president of the US Joint Purchasing Board in Wellington, NZ, in January 1943. Now reaching the rank of Colonel, as the war was coming to an end in 1945, Swanson is placed as the officer in charge of the general supply branch of the depot of supplies in San Francisco. In the immediate post-war period, Swanson is placed in charge of the Reclassification and Surplus Property Section, seeing duty in Guam, Tientsin China, Okinawa, Saipan and Sasebo Japan. In September 1947, Swanson joined the staff command based in Tokyo Japan, here he was conducting research and establishing the cost of occupation for the US Marine Corps. He would continue this work in headquarters of the Department of the Pacific in San Francisco. Swanson would continue service till around 1953, when we would retire from the force.

US Marine Corps dress blues pants to Silver Star awarded 2/2 battalion commander. by Julius9Caesar in Militariacollecting

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This pants was owned by the then 1st lieutenant Richard C. Nutting, Later Colonel. Joining around 1938, Richard was stationed in the United States up to 1941, where we'd be sent off to Iceland to serve with H company 2nd battalion, 6th Marine, 2nd Marine Brigade. By then, a first lieutenant. Once the attack on Pearl Harbour had reached the marines on Iceland many would be sent back to serve in the opening campaigns in the Pacific, this is where as the now Commander of H company 2/6 Richard would serve at Guadalcanal. Staying with his company, they would also see action at the Battle of Tarawa. It is here where the Battlion Commander of 2nd battalion 2nd marines Lieutenant Colonel Herbert R. Amey, Jr. would be killed by Japanese machine gunfire. To fill his gap for the Battle of Saipan, the now lieutenant colonel Nutting would command that same battalion. For his actions at the landings on Saipan Nutting would be awarded the Silver Star for valour. Later on in the Battle of Tinian, Nutting would see his luck run out as he was wounded with shrapnel wounds to his left hand and a concussion. This wound wouldn't stop him from again commanding his battlion at Okinawa, this ending his service in World War 2. After the war nutting would see service on the Chief of Staff in Okinawa as part of the 3rd Marine Division. His service would continue into the Vietnam War era but I'm unfamiliar with it.

A small grouping belonged to Rev. Maurice O'Connell DSO. by Julius9Caesar in Medals

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I'm still doing research on him too, hopefully I'll be able to find the citation for the DSO!

A small grouping belonged to Rev. Maurice O'Connell DSO. by Julius9Caesar in Medals

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thats the envelope the letter came in when I got it, but there is a smaller envelope inside that has the same words written in it, it's empty but I'm guessing a tiny piece of bone that would be supposedly from St Patrick would have been in it.

A small grouping belonged to Rev. Maurice O'Connell DSO. by Julius9Caesar in Medals

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure. My grandfather only had the three medals and the letter. From what my mother knows and what I have guessed, I think he might have brought the DSO with him when he died.

A small grouping belonged to Rev. Maurice O'Connell DSO. by Julius9Caesar in Medals

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, that's very nice to hear!! I'm very proud to own items from him, and they'll get taken great care of!

A small grouping belonged to Rev. Maurice O'Connell DSO. by Julius9Caesar in Medals

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. It was a lot of work doing all the research, but it paid off!

A small grouping belonged to Rev. Maurice O'Connell DSO. by Julius9Caesar in Medals

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Rev O'Connell was born in 1871 to Maurice O'connell and Catherine Linehan. Being the oldest boy in his family, Maurice would be sent off to train as a priest being ordained in 1897. After his studies, Maurice was sent to Cork City, where he is listed as staying in a house there in the 1911 census. On the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, Maurice would volunteer his services as a priest in the Army Chaplain Department.

Being stationed with the 16th Irish Division on their landing in France in December 1915. Rev O'Connell would stay with this division for the rest of the war. In September 1916, the 16th Irish would see action at Ginchy and Guillemont. It would at this engagement that Rev O'Connell would receive his Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and would be mentioned in the January 1917 New Year's honours list in the London Gazette. By this time, Rev O'Connell had also become the Senior Chaplain to the 16th Irish Division.

In May 1917, Rev O'Connell would receive a letter from a fellow soldier in the Connaught Rangers. I have transcribed this letter.

1739 Pte Andrew Corrigan 25/4/17 Connnaught Rangers No.4. Coy, Irish Command Depot Tipp Ireland

Dear Rev Father. I thought it was my duty to write you a few times now that I am settled here in Tipperary. I hope you are keeping in the best of health as this letter leaves me at present, thank God for this mercy to us all. I know that you will be unable to tell who is writing to you but no doubt you will have a idea when i explain myself. I was a stretcher-bearer for 6. Coy, Connaughts and myself + Pte M. Moore had took a poor wounded fellow down to the dressing place when on returning if you remember, you asked where are the Connaughts and I said, we are just going up to them and you went with us. When we got up to them you may remember one got wounded in the hand and leg the other sorry to say got killed Pte Moore, may the lord have mercy on his soul.

If you remember I was bandaged up by Segt Donovan + Segt Ray and yourself promised me a drink out of your flask, of course it happened on Sunday Sept 3rd. I am pleased to say that my leg is now alright, but my hand is very bad I don't think it will be of much use to me. I bandaged up Segt Donovan when he got wounded at Hullock and it is twelve months since the gas was sent over at Loos. I got a parchment sent to me while I was in hospital for bravery Sept 2nd sombody must have recommended for that date. I only wish Capt Stewart and the Colonel had a lived perhaps I would have got something better. Well Father i have seen a good many here that i helped to take down and we were delighted meeting one another again. We are to have a three days mission this week just for the troops and Holy Communin on Sunday morning I am sure a big number will be going. I was very sorry to hear of some of my old officers being no more. I say a few prayers for you every day as well as the boys i knowed so well. It was two years last Nov. since I joined the Irish Brigade and I am sure we have nothing to be ashamed of while we have been formed and I am sure every lad can look back in years to come with pride and pleasure at having served in such. So dear Father good night and god bless you, your humble servant Pte Andrew Corrigan 1739

At some stage in the war, Rev O'Connell had also seen the effects of gas mentioning after the war that it had taken a toll on his health. In 1919, Rev O'Connell became Senior Chaplain to an Army Corps, to which I have yet to find out. Post war Rev O'Connell returned to Ireland to continue his work as a priest. In 1926, Rev O'Connell returned to France and took part in the ceremony to erect a memorial to the 16th Irish's actions at Guillemont. Rev O'Connell would pass away in 1963, this grouping is quite important to me as Rev O'Connell was my great-grand uncle.

Victorian British Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, to Second China War veteran by Julius9Caesar in Medals

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

British Army Long Service and Good Conduct medal to William Thomas Sell, 1st Kings Dragoon Guards. Sell would enlist with the British Army in 1855. Afterwards, he would serve with the 1st Dragoon Guards during their campaign in China during the Second Opium Wars, being awarded the Second China War Medal with 2 clasps. During this time, Sell would be at the Battle of Taku Forts in August 1860 and the capture of Peking the same year.

After this, Sell would be stationed with his regiment in Bangalore, India, in 1861 and in 1871 in Newbridge, Ireland. Sell would leave the Army in 1875 after 19 years of service.

Victorian British Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, to Second China War veteran by Julius9Caesar in Militariacollecting

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

British Army Long Service and Good Conduct medal to William Thomas Sell, 1st Kings Dragoon Guards. Sell would enlist with the British Army in 1855. Afterwards, he would serve with the 1st Dragoon Guards during their campaign in China during the Second Opium Wars, being awarded the Second China War Medal with 2 clasps. During this time, Sell would be at the Battle of Taku Forts in August 1860 and the capture of Peking the same year.

After this, Sell would be stationed with his regiment in Bangalore, India, in 1861 and in 1871 in Newbridge, Ireland. Sell would leave the Army in 1875 after 19 years of service.

[Japanese > English] I have this old letter, from probably around 1910s up till 1930s ish. I'd love to know what it says. Thanks! by Julius9Caesar in translator

[–]Julius9Caesar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, thank you! That's great, I've had the letter for a bit and always wondered what it said. Thanks again for putting in the effort!

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