WW2 Cased Named Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters (KIA November 1944 over Germany. Buried at Margraten, The Netherlands)

• Type: Crimp Brooch

A nice original complete cased named Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. The medal set is a 1960/70s reissue or late government delivery. The medal comes in its original case of issue (which has some wear and tear to it) together with its ribbon bar and lapel pin. The medal comes with a crimp brooch indicating Post WW2 production. The medal and ribbon bar both contain devices that denote 11 Oak Leafs (2x silver, 1x bronze). The medal is named and engraved to "Edward F. Tighe".

We have the following research on S/Sgt Edward F. Tighe (SN: 32279619):

Tighe resided in Erie County, New York prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on April 1st, 1942 in Buffalo, New York. Tighe was noted as being employed as a bookkeeper/cashier and was husband to Mrs. Beverly L. Tighe who resided in Spokane, Washington.

Tighe, a Staff Sergeant, continued to serve as an Assistant Radio Operator and Ball Turret Gunner on B-17G #42-102646, 337th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group, Heavy, 8th Air Force during World War Two.

Before his death, Tighe succesfully completed 60 combat missions.

On the 21st of November 1944, Tighe and eight other crew members set out and took off with B-17G #42-102646 from Station 138, England on a bombing mission over Osnabruck, Germany. It appears from the MACR, that they were shot down by a German Fighter Plane and crashed near Lamspringe, Germany. The entire crew was lost in this crash, among them was Tighe.

For his service and loss of life during World War Two Tighe was entitled to an Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart Medal.

Tighe is buried at Plot L, Row 21, Grave 13 at the American War Cemetery Margraten, The Netherlands.

This is an excellent and well researched one of a kind historical set! The research will be provided to the buyer.