United States. A Silver Star & Purple Heart, 87th Infantry Division

Silver Star (two-piece construction, silver star placed upon a bronze gilt star-shaped base, number engraved "23672" on the edge, engraved "BENARD D. SASSER" on the reverse, maker marked "B B BCo PHILA" (Bailey, Banks & Biddle, Philadelphia) on the integral suspension, measuring 35 mm (w) x 34.5 mm (h), original ribbon with brooch pinback); and Purple Heart (two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with purple, red, white and green enamels, number impressed "262991" on the edge, engraved "BENARD D. SASSER" on the reverse, measuring 34.7 mm (w) x 43 mm (h), intact enamels, original ribbon with brooch pinback). Extremely fine.

Footnote: The Silver Star Medal is the United States Armed Forces's third-highest personal decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the successor award to the "Citation Star" (3⁄16 silver star) which was established by an Act of Congress on July 9, 1918, during the First World War. On July 19, 1932, the Secretary of War approved the conversion of the "Citation Star" to the SSM with the original "Citation Star" incorporated into the center of the medal. The Purple Heart was instituted on August 7, 1782 and is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism.