A Distinguished Service Cross & Purple Heart Group to Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest III

Distinguished Service Cross, Cased (bronze, number impressed "10986" on the edge, engraved "NATHAN B. FORREST" on the reverse, 46.2 mm x 51 mm, original ribbon with brooch pinback, accompanied by its 10.5 mm x 36 mm Ribbon Bar with pinback and 3.7 mm x 17.3 mm enameled Ribbon Bar with button hole attachment, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS" on the lid) and Purple Heart, Cased (two-piece construction, bronze gilt and enamels, number impressed "447559" on the edge, engraved "NATHAN B. FORREST" on the reverse, 34.5 mm x 43 mm, original ribbon with brooch pinback, intact enamels, accompanied by its 10 mm x 36 mm Ribbon Bar with pinback and 3.7 mm x 17 mm enameled Ribbon Bar with button hole attachment, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "PURPLE HEART" on the lid). Extremely fine. Accompanied by a binder containing a Card from the War Department in Washington, D.C. (named to "NATHAN B. FORREST / BG.C.G. Wing, 8th. US.A.A.F." and dated August 15, 1943, inscribed "It is an honor for me to forward this decoration", signature of Robert P. Patterson, Secretary of War, printed in black and gold-colored inks on a white card stock, 76 mm x 127 mm); two reproduction photographs; along with a binder containing copies of documents, newspaper articles, and assorted research papers.

Footnote: Nathan Bedford Forrest III (April 7, 1905 - June 13, 1943) was a Brigadier General (017124) of the United States Army Air Forces, and a great-grandson of Confederate Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford Forrest. He was killed in action in Germany during the Second World War, the first American General to be killed in action during the war in Europe, and is regarded as one of the best and youngest Air Force Generals of his day. Forrest was born at Waldran, near Poplar in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 7, 1905, the son of Nathan Bedford Forrest II and Mattie Patterson (Patton). The family moved to Biloxi, Mississippi when he was seven years old and later, to Atlanta, Georgia and was a student at Georgia Tech from 1923-1924. Forrest graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, on June 9, 1928 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Cavalry. He entered the Air Corps Advanced Flying School (Pursuit Course) at Kelly Field, Texas, in June 1929, graduating in September and assigned to Rockwell Field, California with the 95th Pursuit Squadron. On November 21, 1929, he transferred from the Cavalry to the Air Corps. He married Frances Brassler, on November 22, 1930, at the age of 25, the couple having no children, making him the final male Forrest in his great-grandfather's direct line. He was transferred to Chanute Field, Illinois in October 1930, to take the Aircraft Armament Course at the Air Corps Technical School, completing the course in April 1931. He was assigned to duty at France Field, Panama Canal Zone, serving with the 78th Pursuit Squadron, and moved with that squadron to Albrook Field, Panama Canal Zone late in 1932. Two years later, Forrest was promoted to First Lieutenant on February 4, 1934. He returned to the United States in November 1934 and was assigned to Civilian Concentration Corps duty at March Field, California. While at March Field, he was assigned to the 73rd Attack Squadron in April 1935 and promoted to Captain (Temporary) on August 10, 1935, then assigned to the 17th Attack Group in July 1936, to the 34th Attack Squadron on March 1938, where he was promoted to Captain on June 9, 1938, before returning to the 17th Attack Group in July 1938. Forrest entered the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in September 1939, graduating in December and returning to March Field, for duty with the 17th Bombardment Group. He was transferred to McChord Field, Washington, in March 1940 with the 17th Bombardment Group, promoted to Major (Temporary) on January 31, 1941, then assigned to the 5th Bombardment Wings at Felts Field, Washington, as Executive Officer, in February 1941. He followed that with a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel (Temporary) on January 5, 1942 and assuming the position of Executive Officer of the 2nd Bomber Command at Fort George Wright Washington, in January 1942, then becoming Plans and Training Officer, G-3, of the II Air Force at Fort George Wright in February 1942. He was promoted to Colonel (Temporary) on March 1, 1942 and in June 1942, became Chief of Staff of the II Air Force. He attained the rank of Brigadier General (Temporary) on November 2, 1942, at the age of 37, four years earlier than his famous great-grandfather, Nathan Bedford Forrest attained the same rank. His rating over this time included Command Pilot, Command Observer and Technical Observer, his home of record documented as Fulton County, Georgia. Forrest arrived in England only days before he was placed in the lead aircraft of the lead squadron, for a bombing raid on the German submarine yards at Kiel, Germany, on June 13, 1943. In the role of an Observer aboard a B-17 "Flying Fortress", he was flying with three squadrons of six aircraft each, the formation of seventeen aircraft (an eighteenth aircraft having been forced to abort the mission), determined to drop their bombs on the target below. His aircraft was struck while leading its formation over the target area. With one engine smoking and disabled, the aircraft continued its flight and dropped its bombs. Upon its withdrawal, the B-17 was attacked by German fighters. During the course of the engagement, several explosive shells struck the plane, which then left the formation and when last seen, the bomber was still under control, although it had begun to fall and was banking sharply. A number of parachutes were reported to have opened but only one of the nine crew members survived the plunge into the icy waters, the sole survivor taken as a prisoner of war. The aircraft was one of ten B-17s shot down during the mission. Brigadier General was initially reported as Missing in Action. Some believed that Brigadier General Forrest had parachuted into the sea, other reports state that the plane exploded before Forrest could bail out.Forrest apparently died of drowning or exposure to the icy waters. By the time the Seenotdienst (the German air-sea rescue) arrived, only one of the crew was still alive in the water. Forrest's body washed ashore near a Seaplane Base at Bug, Ruegen Island, Germany, on September 23, 1943. He was interred on September 28, 1943 in a grassy little cemetery near Wiek, Germany. A year later, the Brigadier General was declared legally dead, however, information attained after the war confirmed his death, officially recorded in his records as June 14, 1943, at the age of 38, although the recognized date of death is June 13, 1944. In 1947, two years after the war ended, his widow (now Mrs. Frances Martin of Spokane, Washington) requested that he be returned to the United States and buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Six years after his death, he was exhumed and reburied in Section 11, Grave 824-A at Arlington National Cemetery, on November 15, 1949, ironically on the grounds once owned by his great-grandfather’s commanding officer, General Robert E. Lee. His family was presented his Distinguished Flying Cross, which he was awarded posthumously for staying at the controls of his B-17 bomber while his crew bailed out. Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest, III (ASN: 0-17124), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Chief of Staff for the Second Air Force and an Observer in a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the 8th Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on June 13, 1943, against enemy ground targets in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, Brigadier General Forrest was lost in action during a bombing attack on the submarine yards of Kiel, Germany. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Brigadier General Forrest on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces. General Orders: Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 63 (1943). The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded on September 14, 1943, in HQ ETOUSA G.O. 63, his citation reading: "Brigadier General Nathan B. Forrest, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States, 13 June 1943. While in command of a bomber division on an operational bombing mission against a vital military target, the formation was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft and enemy aircraft attacks, during which a number of the planes in the division were shot down, and the plane in which General Forrest was flying was damaged before reaching the target. In the face of the strongest opposition yet encountered on a bombing mission, and with complete disregard for personal danger, General Forrest led his command to the target, and accomplished his mission from which he did not return. His leadership, skill, and extraordinary heroism on this occasion were an inspiration to all officers and men of the air force in this theater, and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States. General Forrest has officially been reported as missing in action. Entered the United States Military Academy from Georgia. By command of Lieutenant General Devers." In addition to his Distinguished Service Cross, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. His contents were returned in two boxes, one crate and one footlocker, along with $260 in cash. (C:41)