Lot 238
Brigadier General Benjamin Caffey's Dress Uniform With Medals, 34th Division, His Dogtags & "Red Devil" Shoulder Patch. During World War II, General Caffey (1893-1972) was Commanding Officer of the 39th Regiment and Commanding Officer of the 29th Combat Tea. From 1942-43 he served as Assistant Commanding General of the 34th Division, which was the first division deployed to Europe in World War II. They had been trained in Louisiana and transferred to Fort Dix for deployment, subsequently becoming the first troops to arrive in England, where members of the Division were chosen to form the US Army's First Ranger Battalion, many of whom went on to become part of Darby's Rangers. The 34th Division participated in six major Army campaigns in North Africa and Italy, amassing more combat days than any other Division in the U.S. Army, with many men achieving over 500 straight days of combat--and the most casualties. It was one of the most highly decorated units in American history, with Red Bull soldiers being awarded 10 Medals of Honor, 98 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal, 1,052 Silver Stars, 116 Legion of Merit medals, 1 Distinguished Flying Cross, 1,713 Bronze Stars, 51 Soldier Medals, 34 Air Medals, with duplicate awards of 52 oak leaf clusters, and 15,000 purple hearts. Because of the red bull on the shoulder patch, German troops called this U.S. division's soldiers "Red Devils." In 1944 and 1945 General Caffey served as Commanding General Special Troops 4th Army. From the collection of a military uniform exhibit in Branson, Mo. Estimate Value $600 - 1,000
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| Realized $425 |
