D-Day general’s medals to go under the hammer
ACOLLECTION of Second World War medals belonging to a US Army general who fought the Nazi occupation of Europe are up for auction in the Midlands.
The honours were awarded to Brigadier General Charles O Thrasher who played a key role managing crucial supply lines during the Normandy D-Day invasion of France and the pivotal Battle of the Bulge operation.
Among the medal collection is the French Legion D’Honneur, the United States’ Distinguished Service Medal and a British CBE.
General Thrasher also earned the US Army’s Legion of Merit for his role in Operation Torch, the British and American invasion of French North Africa in 1942.
He was presented with the Bronze Star in part for his efforts with the 101st Airborne Division in the Allies’ repulse of the German’s surprise offensive in the Ardennes forest, known as the Battle of the Bulge.
As German forces attempted to smash a hole in the weakened Allied lines in December 1944, General Thrasher organised engineering units to blow up bridges over the River Meuse in the event of a Nazi breakthrough.
The medals are just a few of those included in the collection of General Thrasher’s honours. All the medals, presented in a glass case, are included in a lot that contains uniform ribbons, side cap, cap badges, rank stars and a folder with photographs and service history.
Derek Ainsworth, of Halls’ auction house in Shrewsbury, said it was one of the most impressive medal groups the company had sold and he is anticipating strong interest from collectors in the United States, with an estimate of £3,500.
It is one of several militarythemed lots going under the hammer from 2.30pm on August 10.
Other memorabilia include a torpedo-steering gyroscope by the Whitehead Torpedo Works of Weymouth in its original mahogany box, which is expected to fetch up to £1,500.