United States. A Korean War Purple Heart, to Corporal de Villiers, DOW on the outskirts of Seoul, 1950

A Korean War Purple Heart, to Corporal Richard Edward de Villiers, United States Marine Corps Reserve, Died of Wounds sustained near Youngdong-po on the outskirts of Seoul, on September 21, 1950
; Two-piece construction, bronze gilt with purple, red, white and green enamels, engraved "CPL RICHARD E de VILLIERS USMCR" on the reverse, 35.3 mm (w) x 44 mm (h), original ribbon with brooch pinback, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, marked "PURPLE HEART" on the lid, case also extremely fine. Accompanied by a Letter from the Department of the Navy (addressed to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David de Villiers of Oakland, California, dated November 3, 1950, inscribed "My dear Mr. and Mrs. de Villiers / I am directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to inform you that you are entitled to the Purple Heart and enclosed Purple Heart Certificate posthumously awarded your son, the late Corporal Richard E. de Villiers, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, in the name of the President of the United States and by direction of the Secretary of the Navy. The Purple Heart which is being engraved will be forwarded to you within the next month. / Sincerely yours, J. F. BLAKENEY Head, Decorations and Medals Branch", printed in navy blue ink on a white paper stock, the typewritten message in black, 203 mm (w) x 266 mm (h), fold marks); along with assorted research papers.

Footnote: Richard Edward Devilliers was born on January 24, 1930 in Hayward, California, the son of Mr. and Mrs. David de Villiers. He enlisted as a Private (1054651) with the United States Marine Corps Reserve at Treasure Island, San Francisco on October 6, 1947, followed by training at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California and was later promoted to Corporal. Upon the outbreak of hostilities, his unit, the 1st Marine Division, was sent overseas for service during the Korean War. The 1st Marine Division would be assembled on the battlefield and would participate in the amphibious assault at Inchon under the orders of General MacArthur. "The Old Breed" was the unit chosen to lead the Inchon landing on September 15, 1950. At Inchon, the division faced one of its most daunting challenges, deploying so hurriedly it still lacked its third infantry regiment and was ordered to execute an amphibious assault in the city, under the worst tidal conditions they had ever faced. After the landing they moved north and after heavy fighting in Seoul, they were able to liberate the latter. However, before the liberation of Seoul was to come, 1054651 Corporal Richard Edward Devilliers, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, United States Marine Corps was seriously wounded on September 21, 1950, suffering multiple gun shot wounds to both legs, received in action against North Korean forces near Youngdong-po on the outskirts of Seoul, South Korea, later dying from his wounds. He was subsequently buried in the 1st Marine Division Cemetery at Hamhung, South Korea, Plot 1, Row 7, Grave 80. His remains were re-interred in Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California on August 23, 1951. Corporal de Villiers was awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the Marine Corps Marksman Rifle Qualification Badge, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.