United States. Army Medal of Honor, Type IV (1964-present), bronze with green enamels, 39mm (w) x 57.5mm (h-inclusive of eagle suspension), on full length neck ribbon with horizontal octagonal thirteen star cravat with triple snap closure, reverse eagle suspension engraved “THE CONGRESS TO”, reverse centerpiece unmarked, enamel wearing on wreath, slight contact marks on reverse, near extremely fine condition; Flight Ace Hat, wool, measuring 260mm (w) x 205mm (l) x 150mm (h), Size 7, interior stamped FLIGHT ACE, interior tubing, slight leather wear to interior band, exterior bears cap badge, two piece construction depicting united states seal on background, measuring 38mm, reverse engraved “N.S. MEYER INC. NEW YORK” with company logo, screwback reverse with additional pin, extremely fine condition; Dress Blues Tunic, fabricated from blue wool, made by BENDONE NEW YORK, measuring 450mm (width of shoulders across collar) x 820mm (overall length) x 605mm (arms length), presenting a four pocket front with four centered brass buttons depicting United States coat-of-arms (as are all buttons on the tunic); shoulder straps are held by one button near the colour, also bearing Crump’s Corps pins, bronze-gilt and enamel, 21mm (w) x 28.5mm (h), reverse embossed “N.S. MEYER INC. NEW YORK” with company logos underneath, two pins with pinchback clasps, both extremely fine.
The collar bears a brass collar disk on either side, a “U.S.” collar disk on the right side, 26mm, two pins with pinchbacks on reverse, and an Ordnance Corp ‘Shell and Flame’ collar disk on the left, 26mm, two pins with pinchbacks on reverse; the right breast is enriched with an Army Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon brass frame, 31mm (w) x 15mm (h), reverse impressed GI, two pins with pinch backs, extremely fine condition; just below on citation ribbon bar on top of breast pocket is CRUMP nameplate, plastic, 76mm (w) x 25mm (h), unmarked, two pins with pinch backs, scratches across R and U, very fine condition; Just above the left breast pocket sits a Combat Infantryman badge silver and enamel, 76mm (w) x 25.5mm (h), reverse of wreath impressed “GEMSCO A.G.O G-2”, two pinch pins on reverse, extremely fine condition; below are two singular ribbon bars, the top presents a Purple heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct with three bronze knots, National Defense Service with one Oak Leaf Cluster, 109mm (w) x 9.5mm (h), reverse impressed “S-26”, good conduct ribbon torn along inside edge, purple heart ribbon split behind oak leaf cluster, very fine condition; the bottom bar presents a Korean Service with one silver star and two bronze stars, European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign, United Nations Service, 108mm (w) x 9mm (h), reverse unmarked, two pinch pins on reverse, ribbons slightly discoloured, near extremely fine condition; both left and right sleeves are enhanced with embroidered Master Sergeant Grade 1 insignia mid arm, each sleeve also presents four gold service stripes across front of uniform. The interior of the uniform presents silk lining with stitched “BENDONE NEW YORK” page along exterior of right side interior pocket, inside the pocket is a patch identifying the specifications of wear, states CRUMP 451 handwritten across top with size 41, also stamped number 113, entire tunic is in extremely fine condition; White “American Edition” Dress Shirt, cotton and polyester, measuring approximately 435mm (width of collar at shoulders) x 650mm (overall length) x 610mm (arm length), bottom of shirt unevenly cut, very fine condition; Pants, fabricated from blue dyed cotton with yellow piping down the side of each leg, 470mm (waist) x 1080mm (length) x 750mm (inseam), accompanied by a black belt with simple brass clasp, interior pocket patch identifying the specifications of wear notes “J. CRUMP” handwritten, reverse impressed “N.S MEYER INC / NEW YORK”, small hole on back right side, very fine condition; Army Belt, blue denim with yellow piping along edges, 45mm (w) x 885mm (l), accompanied by the Buckle, two piece construction, brass square with United States coat-of-arms applique attached by two screwback pins, 55mm (w) x 49mm (h), reverse stamped “GEMSCO N.Y.”, one elastic band held by pin, but still very fine condition; Shoes, leather, heel insole stamped with ink “25-12-B7132 / 6 ½ MADE IN KOREA”, worn and cracking, fine condition.
Accompanied by black invizo sizable bow tie; “Beyond Nam Dong” by Roger H.C. Donlon (signed copy); National Geographic Issue November 1958 (featuring “Known but to God” by Beverely M. Bowie); 2003 Patriot Award Banquet Pamphlet; Framed image of Crump (420mm (w) x 520mm (h)); cardstock plaque with image of Crump and printed citation.
Footnote: Sgt. Jerry K Crump was born on February 18, 1933, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Army in Forest City. At the age of 18, on September 6/7 1951, Crump valiantly saved the life of wounded comrades by smothering a grenade with his body. For his actions, he was awarded a Medal of Honour from President Harry S. Truman in 1952, at the White House.
The citation reads, “Corporal Jerry K. Crump (Service No. RA 14340078), Infantry, United States Army, a member of Company L, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy near Chorwon, Korea, on 6 and 7 September 1951. During the night, a numerically superior hostile force launched an assault against his platoon on Hill 284, over-running friendly positions and swarming into the sector. Corporal Crump repeatedly exposed himself to deliver effective fire into the ranks of the assailants, inflicting numerous casualties. Observing two enemy soldiers endeavouring to capture a friendly machine gun, he charged and killed both with his bayonet, regaining control of the weapon. Returning to his position, now occupied by four of his wounded comrades, he continued his accurate fire into enemy troops surrounding the emplacement. When a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into the position, Corporal Crump immediately flung himself over the missile, absorbing the blast with his body and saving his comrades from death or serious injury. His aggressive actions so inspired his comrades that a spirited counterattack drove the enemy from the perimeter. Corporal Crump’s heroic devotion to duty, indomitable fighting spirit, and willingness to sacrifice himself to save his comrades reflect the highest credit on himself, the Infantry and the United States Army.”
In November 1958, Crump assisted as a pallbearer in the rites at Arlington Amphitheater as President Eisenhower presented Medals of Honor to two caskets, representing the Korean Unknown Soldier. He called it the “proudest and most humbling experience” of his life. He was photographed in the National Geographic issue, holding the two black pillows bearing the medals, in full uniform. He married a woman named Jane, and had two daughters, Theresa and Sheila. Crump was killed in a car accident on January 10, 1977. He was buried in the Mount Zion Community Cemetery. In July 2017, a six-foot bronze statue of Crump was unveiled in Cornelius, North Carolina, celebrating his life and heroism.