I have adopted the grave of an American airman at the Netherlands American Cemetery. From the granddaughter of his widow I received the newspaper article that reports hem missing in action. In the article is mentioned: He was reported missing shortly after he had received commendation from President Roosevelt for bravery in action. Can anybody tell me more about this Presidential commendation for bravery in action? Was this some kind of a decoration? Was it common?
Could you offer his name? That might help. The medal for an individual that the President is most associated with is the Medal of Honor, often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor. Generally the President presents this medal to the the recipient or his family, if he died earning the award. A large number of soldiers were recommended for the medal, but it was often downgraded to lesser one. Thank you for your efforts in looking after this man. I appreciate that you hold him in such honor.
I agree with Slipdigit - this is an excellent act of remembrance you've undertaken. Could you tell us who this serviceman is? Best wishes Simon
Could you offer his name? That might help. The medal for an individual that the President is most associated with is the Medal of Honor, often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor. Generally the President presents this medal to the the recipient or his family, if he died earning the award. A large number of soldiers were recommended for the medal, but it was often downgraded to lesser one. Thank you for your efforts in looking after this man. I appreciate that you hold him in such honor. I agree with Slipdigit - this is an excellent act of remembrance you've undertaken. Could you tell us who this serviceman is? Best wishes Simon I am also in complete agreement with the comments previously made. I had a look on the internet but could not come up with anything other than what has been already explained. Regards Tom
Could he have been in a unit that had just been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, rather than an individual award?
Could he have been in a unit that had just been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, rather than an individual award? He would most likely have to be a fighter pilot, if this is the case. The only bomber formations to earn a PUC were with the 15th AF or in the Pacific.
1st Lieutenant Robert Hull was a B-17 pilot in 579th Squadron, 392nd Bombardment Group, 8th US Air Force. He has been awarded an Air Medal and a Purple Heart. In the several records I have received about 1st Lt. Hull I haven't found anything about this Presidential commendation. It is only mentioned in the newspaper article.
A little update about my adoption of the grave of 1st Lieutenant Robert L. Hull. In the town of Nijverdal, a new museum about WWII has been opened. A part of the museum is a little chapel which commemorates all the fallen liberators. They wanted to tell the stories of a few of these fallen liberators on the wall of this chapel. One of these men is Robert Hull. Together with the family, I provided the information to the museum. The bottom row on this picture, is the story of 1st Lieutenant Robert Hull.
Pieter Good on you, mate, for adopting the grave of Lt. Hull. I read somewhere that the school children in Holten hold a candlelight vigil each Christmas eve to honour the fallen Canadian soldiers that helped to liberate the Netherlands. Cheers from Canada
What does it say about him? A little update about my adoption of the grave of 1st Lieutenant Robert L. Hull. In the town of Nijverdal, a new museum about WWII has been opened. A part of the museum is a little chapel which commemorates all the fallen liberators. They wanted to tell the stories of a few of these fallen liberators on the wall of this chapel. One of these men is Robert Hull. Together with the family, I provided the information to the museum. The bottom row on this picture, is the story of 1st Lieutenant Robert Hull.
Pieter Good on you, mate, for adopting the grave of Lt. Hull. I read somewhere that the school children in Holten hold a candlelight vigil each Christmas eve to honour the fallen Canadian soldiers that helped to liberate the Netherlands. Cheers from Canada This is one celebrated in Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland every All Saints Day in November. This is where the 50 Great Escape lads are buried. Cheers Geoff
What does it say about him? It is a short description of his life until he lost his life in combat. It's about his youth, education, occupation, family (his older brother was also killed in WWII) and hobbies for example. All illustrated with pictures of Robert as a kid, a young man and in the army.
Pieter Good on you, mate, for adopting the grave of Lt. Hull. I read somewhere that the school children in Holten hold a candlelight vigil each Christmas eve to honour the fallen Canadian soldiers that helped to liberate the Netherlands. Cheers from Canada Candlelights are placed by schoolchildren on Christmas eve. A nice gesture, and a great sight.. This site shows how that looks: Kerstavond op de Canadese begraafplaats in Holten | nufoto.nl | De laatste nieuwsfoto's zie je het eerst op NUfoto.nl!
Candlelights are placed by schoolchildren on Christmas eve. A nice gesture, and a great sight.. This site shows how that looks: Kerstavond op de Canadese begraafplaats in Holten | nufoto.nl | De laatste nieuwsfoto's zie je het eerst op NUfoto.nl! Pieter, Awesome. Very moving. The soldiers are well remembered for their sacrifice. Randy
