A Second War Brazilian Expeditionary Force Cross with Documents

Brazilian Expeditionary Force Cross (FEB) (bronze, 29 mm) with ribbon bar (11.7 mm x 35.2 mm); and "BRASIL" identification badge (49 mm x 63 mm, aluminum, multi-coloured with holes in the corners for uniform attachment). Both extremely fine. Accompained by his signed Attestation Paper (with attached photo and embossed stamped with the government seal); a document confirming his participation in the Italian theatre (between October 1944 and November 1945, complete with thumbprint); and his Expeditionary Force Campaign Medal award document (dated 1946). Documents range from fine to very fine. Footnote: Neraltino Flores Dos Santos, born March 17, 1922 and was a member of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force in Italy near the end of WWII. The Brazilian Expeditionary Force Cross (FEB) was instituted in 1944 and awarded to the approximately 25,000 military who participated in the Brazilian Expeditionary Force that fought in Italy after the persistent sinking of Brazilian ships by German U-boats led to Brazil renouncing neutrality and declaring war on Germany and Italy in 1942. Fighting with great bravery against considerable odds and in sometimes atrocious unaccustomed mountain weather, Brazil lost 480 of its sons killed in action, 2,064 wounded and 34 missing in action. The Brazilians gained a reputation for humane and correct treatment of their prisoners, having captured more than 20,000 German and Italian prisoners.