This group belonged to John A. Dickinson who served in the 23^rd Marine Regiment of the 4^th Marine Division. Dickinson saw action on Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He also served in Korea during the Korean War.

The group includes:

An Australian made felt 4^th Marine Division patch that has about 6 small moth nips scattered over the surface of the patch.

Matching pair of Eagle, Globe and Anchor (EGA) collar devices for dress blues.

Large EGA insignia for dress blue cover.

Small EGA lapel pin.

Honorably discharged veteran lapel button with EGA.

Pair of dog tags one still on the original plastic neck chain while the other is loose.

Single brass dog tag

Matching pair of Sergeants chevrons for dress blues. Dickinson’s highest rank was Corporal so that is probably why these stripes are in unused condition.

Also with the group are Dickinson’s Good Conduct medal, World War Two Victory medal, American Theater Service medal and Asiatic Pacific medal.

With the items is some research printed off the internet from the Veterans History Project. The paperwork relates all the basic information on Dickinson as well as a photograph of him as an older man. In this research Mr. Dickinson talks about his service. He says in part;

“After I had advanced training I was sent overseas to the Hawaiian Islands and joined the 4^th Marine Division. After a few months of training we were sent into battle in the Marianas Islands. I was still 18 when I got my first taste of combat. I was in the invasion of Saipan in June 1944. After the battle was over and the island secured we went to Tinian … which took about two weeks to take.’

“On Iwo Jima the battle was supposed to last five days… My Marine outfit saw the flag being raised (on Mt. Suribachi.) We went to Iwo Jima on three troop ships and only needed 1 to return to Hawaii so that tells you how many of our American men were killed or wounded.”

As for his time in Korea he states in part “The Korean War was fought on very rugged terrain. It was entirely different from the island warfare I experienced during WWII. It was hard on you physically… It was also very cold there.

This is a nice small group from a two war Marine.

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