United States. A Bronze Star & Purple Heart Group to Battle of the Bulge Participant Pte. St. Amand Jr

Bronze Star, bronze, measures 36.91mm (w) x 40.48mm (h – including integral bar suspension), weighs 16.0 grams (including ribbon) reverse period engraved Frederick A St. Amand Jr, worn on original ribbon with brooch pin on reverse, extremely fine condition. Accompanied by an enamel ribbon bar with button backing. Contained in it’s original case of issue composed of wood and black leatherette, exterior lid stamped BRONZE STAR MEDAL, interior presents a crème coloured velvet medal bed and silk lining, measures 87mm (w) x 164mm (l) x 25mm (d), minor marks on obverse exterior, hinge functional, very fine condition; Purple Heart, bronze gilt and enamel, measures 34.68mm (w) x 47.35mm (h), weighs 35.0 grams (including ribbon), reverse unnamed, worn on original ribbon with pin on reverse, extremely fine condition. Accompanied by a small pin with additional section of ribbon for medal bar. Contained in original case of issue composed of wood and black leatherette, exterior lid stamped PURPLE HEART, interior presents a crème coloured velvet medal bed and silk interior, measures 88mm (w) x 169 mm (l) x 29mm (d), extreme wear to exterior leatherette, areas of pressed velvet in interior, hinge functional, fine condition; Battle of the Bulge Veteran’s Decoration, a silver gilt cast decoration featuring a white enamel star with 12 evergreen tree points, an interior black enamel ring, with a red enamel ring inside inscribed VETERAN BATTLE OF THE BULGE with an interior light blue field inscribed CHRISTCROSS 16.12.44 with a sign of the omega in the center, surmounted by a crown with a flaming sword ribbon attachment, reverse THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE ARDENNES GRAND CROSS OF HOMAN VERIT FIDELITY AWARDED DEC.16.1944 – JAN.25.1945, measures 61.48mm (w) x 79.86mm (h – including surmounting crown, excluding flaming sword), weighs 71.6 grams (including ribbon), worn on a full length neck ribbon, enamels intact, overall extremely fine condition. Contained in a red velvet case, interior silk lid stamped THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE ARDENNES GRAND CROSS of HOMAGE, measuring 85mm (w) x 162mm (l) x 34mm (d), hinge functional, in extremely fine condition. Includes original cardboard packaging with sheet explaining the symbolism; World War II Victory Medal, bronze gilt, measures 36mm, worn on original ribbon with brooch pin on reverse, nick to rim at 5 o’clock, overall very fine condition, accompanied by matching ribbon bar, both contained in original cardboard box of issue; Good Conduct Medal, bronze gilt, measures 31.92mm, worn on original ribbon with brooch pin on reverse, light edge contact, very fine condition, accompanied by a ribbon bar measuring 35mm (w) x 9.5mm (h), very fine condition and two enamel ribbon bars with button reverse, measuring 17mm (w) x 3.5mm (h) each, very fine condition, all contained in original cardboard box of issue; American Campaign Medal, bronze gilt, measures 31.85mm, worn on original ribbon with brooch pin on reverse, very little contact, very fine condition, contained in original cardboard box of issue; Army of Occupation Medal, bronze gilt, measures 31.55mm, worn on original ribbon with brooch pin on reverse, extremely fine condition, accompanied by a ribbon bar measuring 35mm (w) x 10mm (h), contained in original cardboard box of issue; Independent Order of Odd Fellowship Sesqui-Centennial Medal, bronze, measures 39.38mm in diameter, obverse presents a portrait of founder Thomas Wildey with dates 1819 to 1969, reverse presents a tavern with the inscription INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS SEVEN STARS TAVERN BALTIMORE MARYLAND, dark patina around edges, very fine condition; A Patriarchs Militant of the I.O.O.F Decoration of Chivalry, a silver gilt cross with white enamel arms and a surmounting central red enamel heart and silver crown, the reverse of the badge is engraved BE JUST MERCIFUL HONORABLE AND BRAVE, 6 o’clock arm is engraved NEW YORK 66, badge suspended from a silver oval disk with central six point star with diamonds and extending rays from the center, the reverse bears a horizontal pin and is engraved 8, measures 42.23mm (w) x 64.44mm (h – including suspension piece), weighs 24.9 grams, enamels intact, overall very fine condition.

Accompanied by a ribbon bar for the French Croix de Guerre, measures 35.15mm (w) x 10.90mm (h), lightly soiled, better than fine condition; small insignia, a silver cross with black lacquered obverse and reverse embossed KREW; decorative fraternal decoration composed of silver, silver gilt and paste stones.

Footnote: Frederick A St. Amand Jr was born in 1913 to Frederick and Jennie St. Amand. He enlisted for the Second World War in New York City on January 22, 1944. Prior to enlisting, he worked as a stock clerk, with a grammar school education. His younger brother, Warren, also participated in the war efforts, enlisting on October 23, 1942.

The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive to take place on the Western Front during the Second World War, from December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945. Located in the forested Ardennes (eastern Belgium, northeast France and Luxembourg), this battle was an allied victory at the great cost of nearly 90,000 American and 1,400 British casualties. An amalgamation of poor weather conditions (and therefore limited aerial reconnaissance), a surprise German offensive, and a weak allied line resulted in a strong German position in mid December. The Battle for Elsenborn Ridge, when the American defensive stopped the armored unit, caused the German troops to reroute, slowing the German line. After numerous battles, the American defense successfully prevented the German forces from reaching areas to resupply and their advance was stalled near Meuse on December 24. The Americans launched a counteroffensive of their own, largely employing their superior air force. Gruesome fighting continued into early January and the German forces withdrew from the Ardennes on January 7. The battles persisted for three weeks, until the last German units returned to their original start line, with the Americans recapturing areas in their wake. The “Bulge” is considered the largest and bloodiest single battle that the United States fought in during the war, and the third deadliest campaign in American history. 

St. Amand was released from the Army on January 16, 1946. He died on July 25, 1999 in Bradenton, Florida.