Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A United States of America ‘Korean War’ Bronze Star and Purple Heart Pair awarded to Private First Class W. L. Beach, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, United States Army

United States of America, Bronze Star, unnamed; Purple Heart, the reverse engraved ‘William L. Beach’; together two cloth patches and a Korean cigarette lighter, nearly extremely fine (2) £70-£90

William L. Beach, a native of South Carolina, served with the United States Forces from 12 May 1949 to 24 December 1954, and was twice wounded in action in Korea. Awarded the Bronze Star for his gallantry, the official citation states: ‘Private First Class William L. Beach, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, distinguished himself by heroic achievement on 5 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. On that date his unit was defending Hill 208 against an attack by a determined and numerically superior enemy. Private Beach's platoon prepared to withdraw under heavy enemy pressure. During this attack he encountered six of the enemy, but beat them back with hand grenades, wounding three and causing the others to withdraw a short distance. When two additional enemy joined the three, he again forced them back with his last hand grenade. Only when the rest of his platoon had completed their withdrawal did he withdraw. The heroism displayed by Private Beach reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.’

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