Lot 689
Merrill's Marauders - World War II Archive of Lt. Robert Finkel. In September of 1943, the 5307th Composite Unit, better known as "Merrill's Marauders" (lead by General Frank Stilwell) and consisting of 3,000 volunteers, was formed as a Special Operations Jungle Warfare Unit, its mission to penetrate deep behind Japanese lines in the China-Burma Theatre.
At the beginning of World War II, Robert Finkel enlisted in the Army Signal Corps, joined The Marauders, and soon earned a field commission as a Second Lieutenant. During the mission, this 3,000 man force survived harsh weather, difficult terrain, and an enemy that greatly outnumbered them. For his service in this campaign, Lieutenant Finkel received a Unit Citation and two Bronze Battle Stars.
This archive consists of the following items: (1) Lt. Finkel's Officer's dress uniform jacket, Officer's dress cap, and Officer's garrison cap----all in excellent condition (2) a series of five medals consisting of an American Campaign Medal and Ribbon, an Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and Ribbon, a Burmese Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal (3) Finkel's 2nd Lt. Bar, the 181st Signal Repair Company pin, and the Merrill's Marauders Meritorious Service Award (4) enclosed in lucite, a second 2nd Lt. Bar and Signal Corp pin along with campaign ribbons. (5) three small flags sewn together consisting of The Republic of China (Taiwan), the American flag, and the U.S. and China flags together mounted and framed with a brass plate inscribed "Americans Who Came To China To Help Win The War. Soldiers And Civilians United Together To Save And Protect" (6) A map of the Ledo-Burma Road drafted and signed by Lt. Robert Finkel. (This road was built so that the Western Allies could supply the Chinese an alternative to the Burma Road that was cut off by the Japanese in 1942).The Chinese Government later gave Lt. Finkel their Citation Medal for his service in World War II.
The movie "Merrill's Marauders" was produced by Warner Brothers Studios and released June 13, 1962. Robert Finkel went on to have a long and distinguished career in television as a writer, producer, and director spanning the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, winning three Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award along the way. He passed away April 12, 2012.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 4,000.
|
| |
| Realized $1,938 |
