PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE IN THE OFFICE Through TUESDAY 09/16,
AFTER That Date, We Will Be OUT OF THE OFFICE from WEDNESDAY 09/17 until TUESDAY OCTOBER 7th!!
Ron Will Be OUT OF THE OFFICE from WEDNESDAY 09/10 until FRIDAY OCTOBER 10th!!
So there MAY be SHIPPING DELAYS on MILITARIA Orders Placed AFTER 09/10 through 10/10!!
BUT We Will DEFINITELY Be ABLE TO SHIP Orders Placed Through TUESDAY 09/09,
And MIGHT Be ABLE TO SHIP ORDERS Placed through MONDAY 09/15, But After That we CANNOT SHIP Until TUESDAY 10/07!!
Update 09/09/25: WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH non-PayPal CREDIT CARD PURCHASES!!
BIG WEBSITE CHANGES are in the works and this Issue WILL BE CORRECTED sometime in OCTOBER!!
If you would like to PAY for an Artifact valued at OVER $100.00 with a CREDIT CARD, please email and I will get an invoice emailed to you ASAP!
We are HAPPY TO ACCEPT YOUR ORDERS during this time, and we will promptly SHIP MOST orders within ONE Business Day of Receipt of Payment!
And, as always, if you would like to fund your $100.00+ order through a Bank that offers ZELLE, ASK ABOUT our ZELLE DISCOUNT!!
That DISCOUNT also applies to PayPal GIFT (Fee-Free), Check, and Money Order payments!!
Thank you for visiting. We hope you will find some vintage artifacts here on our site to add to your collection.
We look forward to serving your collecting needs, Ron & Kanae
ARTIFACT:
This is a highly emotive pair of medals awarded posthumously to Private Norman Arsenault, United States Marine Corps Third Battalion, Second Marines, Second Marine Division, who died on July 8, 1944 at Saipan: the Purple Heart, engraved with Private Arsenault's name on reverse, and the Navy Cross. Private Arsenault hailed from Lawrence, Massachusetts and served in 1944 only. Selflessly exposing himself to enemy fire for the advancement of his platoon in the Northern Mariana Islands, he was hit with a mortar after receiving orders to return to the fold. Arsenault died at age eighteen or nineteen. Here is the citation offered for Arsenault by the Commander in Chief, Pacific Force"The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Norman Arsenault (546791), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the Third Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Marianas Islands, on 8 July 1944. With his platoon pinned down by intense, concentrated hostile machine-gun and rifle fire from a well- concealed enemy emplacement during a perilous advance along the beach, Private Arsenault boldly exposed himself to the intense barrage to wade out into the ocean where he could observe the enemy and direct his effective fire into the entrenchment. After expending his ammunition, he fearlessly returned to the beach to replenish his supply then again resumed his position, drawing all hostile fire to himself and enabling his platoon to advance and launch an attack against the strategic cave. Ordered to return to his platoon, he was fatally struck down by bursting enemy shellfire while crossing the open expanse. By his valiant fighting spirit, great personal valor and self-sacrificing efforts, Private Arsenault had accounted for twenty Japanese soldiers and was directly responsible for the success of his platoon in capturing the strongly fortified hostile emplacement. His unwavering devotion to duty throughout the fierce engagement was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country." Credit: www.homeofheroes.com.
VINTAGE:
Circa World War II.
SIZE:
Navy Cross: approximately 1-9/16" in width by 3-1/4" in height; Purple Heart: approximately 1-3/8" in width by 3" in height.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Navy Cross: gold-plated brass, silk ribbon; Purple Heart: gold-plated silver (most likely), enamel, silk ribbon.
ATTACHMENT:
Both medals: horizontal pin with come-under locking swivel catch, ribbon, suspension ring.
MARKINGS:
PVT. NORMAN ARSENAULT U.S.M.C.R. (on Purple Heart).
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a United States Marine Corps collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VABJJX12 LEEJJX5/12 SCHEJX6/12
CONDITION:
The Navy Cross (6+: Fine-Very Fine) has some areas of moderate wear to the ribbon; the Purple Heart (8: Excellent-) has a small area of discoloration to the ribbon.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
