Lot 495

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Description:

WALTER DAVID LUPLOW (b. 1896) American Brigadier General of Engineers, ultimately Deputy Engineer of the U.S. Forces in the European Theater. A career soldier, Luplow was commissioned a lieutenant in 1917 and joined the Corps of Engineers in 1920. He served briefly in Germany, then was assigned to the Third Engineers at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. In 1939 he entered the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth and later assumed command of the 6th Engineers. At the end of 1943, Luplow and the VIII Corps were sent to Europe, where he was named Deputy Engineer of the U.S. Forces in July 1945. Post-war, he was promoted to brigadier general and commanded the Second Engineer Special Brigade in Korea. Offered here is a fine grouping of uniforms and other items from Luplow's career. First is a 1942 Pattern, Officer's Khaki Service Coat. Each shoulder epaulette has matching general's stars with WWII 'smoothie' style clutches. Each lapel has matching 'U.S.' pins with the same type of clutches, while the lower lapels have a matched set of Engineers branch insignia. A 3rd Army cloth patch is sewn on the left shoulder, and each lower sleeve has an officer's mohair rings. Buttons appear to be all matching. A fine hand-sewn 12 ribbon bar is on the upper left breast, and as is often seen, they are out of regulation order. His awards are for the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Silver Star (counts as five bronze stars), American Campaign Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the WWI Victory Medal, the (WWI) Army of Occupation Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the (WWII) Army of Occupation Medal, the British Military Order of the British Empire, and the Belgian Order of the Crown. The jacket is partially lined and in excellent condition. As this uniform is of the correct officer's type, it is not surprising to find that it has been re-issued at least three times, as evidenced by some inked names within. Re-issued uniforms were common in WWII, even for generals. This uniform includes Luplow's matching trousers, unmarked but also reissued, as is his tie. Luplow's khaki officer's shirt is included, with a 3rd US Army cloth on the left sleeve. However, unlike his uniform, he has 6 overseas service bars sewn to the right sleeve. Another addition is two sterling hallmarked general's stars pinned to each collar tip. To complete the uniform, our consignor has added a khaki Engineer branch garrison cap. The second uniform is a war-date 1942 Pattern 'Uniform, Service, Officer's, 2-Piece O.D...Dated 11/4/42'. Each shoulder epaulette has metal rank insignia of a full colonel. The rank pins are matching, hallmarked, and of the pin back style. Sewn near the top of the left sleeve is a 'wooly' and silver wire bullion 3rd US Army cloth patch, presumed to be occupation German made. Each collar lapel has U.S. pins that have correct WWII style 'smoothie' clutches. There are the usual officer's mohair rings on lower sleeves. The buttons are of the two-piece eagle design, appear all matching and hallmarked, sewn on with correct thread. The uniform includes its matching belt, buckle and slider. There are seven award ribbons pinned on the upper left breast, again out of order. The interior is partially lined with cloth tag reading: 'Regulation Army Officer's Uniform', meaning that it was a private PX purchase. The inside of this same inside pocket has a machine sewn in contract information tag with the information delineated above. Also reissued. To complete the uniform, our consignor has included a khaki officer's shirt and tie, a pair of officer's breeches, and an officer's garrison cap. Also present is a Legion of Merit Medal attributed to Luplow, his wood and brass 'Col. W.D. Luplow' desk name plate, a 5th Engineer Special Brigade patch, a set of four photographs, some correspondence, etc. A few trivial flaws, overall fine.

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000