Description:

U.S.C.G. CAMPBELL COMMANDER'S MEDAL GROUP AND TELEGRAPH KEY
Excellent grouping of items associated with the Coast Guard Cutter CAMBELL which valiantly defended Convoy ON-166 from a determined U-boat attack in February, 1943. Included are four medals and four chest ribbons from the vessel's commander, Cmdr. G. E. TRESTER, who served on the vessel for 22 trans-Atlantic passages just prior to the ON-166 convoy. Medals present include his WWI Bronze Victory Medal with Escort Band, American Defense medal, U.S.C.G. Expert Marksmanship medal, a replacement Bronze Star, and four chest ribbons, along with a U.S.C.G. notebook with household expenses listed from his Annapolis residence. Also present is a U.S. Navy telegraph "speed key" on a heavy 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" base, made by J. H. Brunnell & Co. and indicated as being: "PROPERTY OF U.S. NAVY" with Time-Life Collection owner's tag attached: "Telegraph sender on the U.S.S. Campbell when it rammed the U-Boat (from Vet)". Provenance: TIME-LIFE Collection, The War Museum. On Feb. 21, 1943 CAMPBELL was escorting the 48-ship Convoy ON-166 when the convoy attacked by a "wolf pack". U-92 and U-753 torpedoed and sank one vessel, and CAMPBELL rescued fifty survivors. The ship then turned to attack U-753, damaging it so badly that it had to withdraw. Throughout the 21st and 22nd, CAMPBELL attacked several U-boats inflicting damage and driving off the subs. Later on the 22nd, U-606, having sustained heavy damage, surfaced in the midst of the convoy attempting a surface attack. CAMPBELL rammed the sub which gashed Campbell's hull in the engine room, but the attack continued as CAMPBELL dropped two depth charges which forced the sub to the surface. The crew brought all guns to bear on the subs, until CAMPBELL became disabled. The sub was in turn scuttled, and CAMPBELL rescued its survivors before being towed back to port for repairs. Provenance: TIME-LIFE Collection; The War Museum.

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March 18, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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