Description:

VIETNAM MILITARY MEDALS, AWARDS, KNIFE, AND RELATED GROUPING OF 1ST LT. WILLIAM T. PELLETIER, MILITARY ADVISOR TEAM 162
An important group of medals, awards, and other personal items issued to First Lt. WILLIAM T. PELLETIER, U.S. Army Assistant Battalion Advisor, 9th ARVN Airborne Bttn., Military Advisor Team 162, who served in Vietnam from Oct. 30, 1970 until Dec. 23, 1971. Pelletier served as a Special Forces Advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), preparing the South Vietnamese for the American pull-out soon to come. A large and important grouping from a real hero of the Vietnam War, this lot includes: Pelletier''s cased and named Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Army Commendation Medal, all but one also including chest ribbon and buttonhole ribbon device; award citations and award documents for all of the medals (except Army Commendation medal), in original green plastic presentation folders; badly worn ARVN Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge with Special Forces patch; Combat Infantry Badge; Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal; Pelletier''s ribbon bars and duplicate unnamed medals with appropriate oak leaves and "V" devices; dog tags, Special Forces, MACV, Airborne and Vietnam shoulder patches, and other insignia. The grouping also includes Pelletier''s black government-issue Special Forces beret, size 6 1/2", with Special Forces "De Oppresso Liber" patch and metal badge, and his 1972 Gerber MK II fighting knife engraved "WILLIAM T. PELLETIER" with his social security number. The knife shows honest wear with light sharpening scratches and the proper brown leather sheath. There are also three snapshots of Pelletier in theater with his ARVN comrades. Pelletier received his Silver Star for gallantry when, while advancing on a fire base, his battalion came under intense fire. He advanced to the perimeter and deployed smoke grenades to mark the spot for gunships, despite the fact that they would attract fire. Following the departure of the Cobras, Pelletier moved between positions directing fire, and continued to do so for three days until the enemy was repulsed. For his Bronze Star, Pelletier exposed his position in order to direct air strikes on enemy positions. When some of his ARVN troops were wounded, he drew fire to himself until they could be relocated. The Silver Star certificate has a significant loss to the right margin, not affecting text, otherwise this lot is in excellent condition. Special Forces Team 162 constituted the largest U.S. advisory effort of the Vietnam War. Some 1,200 soldiers were assigned to Team 162 during its 11 years of service. Airborne experience was a prerequisite for assignment. Most team members had served with the 11th, 82nd or 101st Airborne Divisions.

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December 19, 2017 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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