WW2 Named Cased Legion of Merit Legionnaire Medal, Colonel, Joint Chiefs of Staff

• Type: Wrap Brooch

An original WW2 named cased Legion of Merit Legionnaire medal. The medal comes in its original case of issue together with its ribbon bar and rosette lapel pin. The medal comes with a wrap brooch, indicating production during the early stages of World War Two. The medal is engraved with most likely the award date "18 Apr 1946", besides that the medal is also engraved with the name and service number of the recipient "Cecil J. Gridley 0-8382".

Colonel Cecil John Gridley (08382) born on the 14th of March 1895, Kansas, served throughout three major conflicts, being World War One & Two and the Korean War. For his service during these conflicts he received the Legion of Merit Medal (presented here), Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Combat Readiness Medal. Gridley enlisted in the army in 1917 and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. He rose through the ranks becoming 1st Lieutenant in 1918, Captain in 1925, Major in 1935, Lt. Colonel in 1940 and eventually becoming a Colonel in 1948. Gridley retired at the end of August 1954 after a long and loyal career in the US military. Unfortunately we haven't been able to find out the exact units and offices held by Gridley troughout his career. However we do know that during World War Two Gridley was part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, mainly focussing on planning and policies in regards to the colonial territories in Africa and Asia, and later on China. He most likely received this Legion of Merit for his service with the Joint Chiefs of Staff during World War Two.

All research we currently have on Gridley will be provided to the buyer. However this LoM set will still make an excellent research project to fill in the blanks in connection to Gridleys exact service. Beautiful Named WW2 LoM set in great condition! Very hard to find a named Legion of Merit Medal! No repairs, no damage.