UBB.threads Forums General Militaria United States Militaria WW2 named purple heart value

Guys,

Looking for some info here. I have a chance to buy a named WW2 purple heart in the case. It has a number on the edge and the name Wallace Dillingham etched on the back. What sort of price is fair, just don't want to get burned, not usually into US stuff
Thanks

Much of the value of these medals comes from the history of the men and their units. A named medal does not necessarily mean he was KIA. Do you have any history of the soldier? I was unable to locate him searching the rosters of battle field cemeteries.

Sadly the numbers are not traceable, and they continued issuing the WW2 era made PHs through Vietnam. The actual engraving style can tell us more about what era it is from. Do you have any photos?

*In accordance with the Stolen Valor Act the buying or selling these medals may be against the law.

This is what I did find:

ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 20143783 20143783
NAME DILLINGHAM#WALLACE#E#### DILLINGHAM#WALLACE#E####
RESIDENCE: STATE 12 MAINE
RESIDENCE: COUNTY 017 OXFORD
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT 1264 LEWISTON MAINE
DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY 24 24
DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH 02 02
DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR 41 41
GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION PVT# Private
GRADE: CODE 8 Private
BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION INF Infantry
BRANCH: CODE 10 Infantry
FIELD USE AS DESIRED # #
TERM OF ENLISTMENT 0 Undefined Code
LONGEVITY ### ###
SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL 7 National Guard
NATIVITY 12 MAINE
YEAR OF BIRTH 17 17
RACE AND CITIZENSHIP 1 White, citizen
EDUCATION 4 4 years of high school
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION 999 Undefined Code
MARITAL STATUS 6 Single, without dependents
COMPONENT OF THE ARMY 4 National Guard (Officers, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men)
CARD NUMBER # #
BOX NUMBER 0331 0331
FILM REEL NUMBER 3.53# 3.53#

It's impossible to give any kind of value without seeing the engraving style on the rear of the medal.

There is a Wallace E. Dillingham listed as KIA on the WWII registry. He was from Maine and his Army Serial Number indicates he was a National Guardsman. His name doesn't appear on the American Battlefield Monuments Commission list, so he was brought home and buried in the US after the war.

There so many variables to determine value. If he was assigned to a famous unit, such as Airborne, Ranger or other so-called elite unit, it would bring a premium. If he was killed in a famous battle, that could also raise the value a bit.

But, the determining factor is the engraving style. If it has the accepted WWII government engraving style, and he was in a infantry unit, I'd guess the value to be anywhere in the area of $200-$250.

If it is a replacement medal with a later government engraving style than WWII, the value would be much less, probably less than $100. If it is privately engraved or even a reproduction, it would be less still.

Tom Lane has an excellent site dealing with engraving styles: www.purpleheartsnet

Hope this has been of some help,
Dwight

If I can help further, email me at foytfan@aol.com

Thanks for the replies and the info. I am going to track him down a little further. The medal is priced at $125 and seems to be an original WW2. I will study the engraving and go back for another look.

Sorry, forgot to ask, where do I find the WW2 Registry where you found this information?
Thanks
Harry

Harry, here is the WWII registry:

www.wwiimemorial.com

Thanks much. I will take another look tomorrow and probably buy it. I'll bet he is buried locally.

Boy

With the way the Repro guys can engrave them I would Hardly have an interest in buying one of these from a dealer...The ones I DO have have all been First hand Family pieces.

Finally got it. Want opinions as to originality but am having trouble uploading photos (too big)
Harry

Trying to post

Got one to reduce. What do you guys think? It was bought at an antique store in South Paris not far from where Mr. Dillingham was born and grew up. It was part of a home buy out by the antique store.

Looks like a nice hand engraved style, typical of WW2 production.

Very nice example of a hand engraved KIA Purple Heart. If you ever decide to sell it, please keep me in mind.

Dwight

Thanks for the replies and if I ever decide to sell it, it will go here first! I am trying to check local cemtaries etc and see if I can get his whole story. I even got a local paper reporter to help me out.
I'll let you guys know.
Harry

Since he is local you may want to try the old wartime newspaper obituaries too. Or see if the town had a "Honor Roll" where he may be listed.

You can also write to the National Archives for IDPF (Individual Deceased Personal File) that may hold some clues to his unit information and final resting place.

Good luck & Keep us informed of your progress!

Harry,

I've nearly always had good luck contacting the man's hometown public library. They do limited genealogical research for a very small fee and usually have the local newspaper on microfilm where you can find his obit and burial notice. The large majority of repatriations for local burial were done in 1947-1948.

Your reporter may also be of help if the paper has an archivist.

Good luck!
Dwight