United States. A Silver Star & Purple Heart, Sergeant Glee, 91st Infantry Division, KIA near Gorgognano, Italy 1945
Silver Star (two-piece construction, silver star placed upon a bronze gilt star-shaped base, engraved "PAUL W. GLEE" on the reverse, measuring 36 mm (w) x 34.5 mm (h), original ribbon with brooch pinback, accompanied by its 35.5 mm (w) x 10 mm (h) ribbon bar with pinback and its 17 mm (w) x 3.5 mm (h) enameled ribbon bar with button hole attachment, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "SILVER STAR" on the lid); and Purple Heart (two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with purple, red, white and green enamels, engraved "PAUL W. GLEE" on the reverse, measuring 35 mm (w) x 43.5 mm (h), intact enamels, original ribbon with brooch pinback, accompanied by its 17.2 mm (w) x 3.5 mm (h) enameled ribbon bar with button hole attachment, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "PURPLE HEART" on the lid). Extremely fine. Accompanied by a Florence American Cemetery Memorial Card, along with assorted research papers.
Footnote: Paul W. Glee was born in 1915. His mother, Katherine had re-married, to Herbert Stewart, with Glee having numerous half-brothers and half-sisters. He was a resident of Rochelle, Ogle County, Illinois when he enlisted for service as a Private (16002704), on October 15, 1940 at Chicago, Illinois, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. Katherine Stewart of Rochelle, stating that he was Single and that his trade was that of Farm Hand. Private Glee left for service overseas on March 17, 1944, was later promoted to Sergeant and served in the Italian theater. 16002704 Sergeant Paul W. Glee, Company C, 361st Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, United States Army was awarded the Silver Star under General Orders No. 26 (1945) from Headquarters, 91st Infantry Division, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 91st Infantry Division near Gorgognano, west of Florence, Italy during the Second World War, his citation stating: "For gallantry in action on 29 March 1945, near Gorgognano, Italy. When Sergeant Glee observed eight enemy soldiers rushing his outpost from the front, he immediately opened fire on them with his rifle. In spite of the intense enemy machine pistol and rifle fire, he remained in his position, wounding four enemy and forcing the others to retreat. During this fierce fire fight Sergeant Glee was seriously wounded in the back by two Germans who had slipped behind him. Completely ignoring his severe wound, he whirled about and directed fire upon the enemy until they withdrew. His courage, resolute fighting spirit, and devotion to duty successfully repulsed the enemy attack. Determined to hold his position at all costs against further attacks, Sergeant Glee fell mortally wounded while reloading his rifle. His gallantry was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers and reflects the highest credit on himself and on the Armed Forces of the United States." Sergeant Glee was Killed in Action on March 29, 1945 and is buried in Florence American Cemetery in Impruneta, Italy, Plot A, Row 12, Grave 40. He is credited with having been awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the cluster having been lost to time. Eight months before Glee's death, his half-brother, 36740697 Private Robert W. Stewart, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division was Killed in Action on July 11, 1944 during the American advance through Normandy. He is buried in Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, Plot C, Row 23, Grave 34. His mother and stepfather erected a grave marker in their memory at Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle, Ogle County, Illinois, the marker inscribed "Sgt. PAUL GLEE 1915-1945 / DIED IN ACTION BURIED IN ITALY / Pte. ROBERT STEWART 1923-1944 / DIED IN ACTION BURIED IN FRANCE".