Medal

Object Name:

Medal

Object ID:

2016.027.01

Date:

1918-1919

Description:

Set of three World War I medals, awarded to Onslow S. Rolfe (1895-1985) of Concord, NH. Three bronze medals, each suspended from a silk ribbon, attached to a metal bar pin.
1. Distinguished Service Cross. Eagle, wreath, and "FOR VALOR" on obverse; wreath on reverse. Red, white, and blue striped ribbon.
2. Purple Heart. Bust of George Washington on purple heart on obverse; "FOR / MILITARY / MERIT" on reverse. Purple ribbon with white edge.
3. World War I Victory Medal. Circular medal with winged Victory holding sword and shield on obverse; "US" shield and fasces (bundle of rods with axe) on reverse, with text, "THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION" and names of allied nations. Striped ribbon with all seven primary colors. Attached to ribbon are six "battle clips" bearing names of battles in which Onslow Rolfe served; 1919.

Material:

Metal
Bronze
Textile
Silk

Dimensions:

H-2.3 W-2 inches

Provenance:

Part of the Onslow Sherburne Rolfe Papers, containing approximately 125 items including photographic prints, photograph albums, published histories, genealogy materials, loose papers, certificates, medals, patches, military decorations, and other items documenting the life and career of General Onslow Sherburne Rolfe (1895-1985). The collection was donated by his daughter.

Onslow Sherburne Rolfe was born in Concord, NH, on January 16, 1895, to Robert Henry Rolfe and Grace Stearns Rolfe, the daughter of New Hampshire Governor Onslow Stearns. He attended West Point and then served in World War I with the Third Division. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during the Second Battle of the Marne in 1918. He received the Purple Heart after being wounded at the Argonne Forest a week before the Armistice. After the war, he attended several officer and military training schools and was posted to a variety of positions. He then went on to command the 87th Mountain Battalion Reinforced (Ski Troops) and the Mountain Winter Warfare Schools in 1941. In 1942 the Battalion was expanded to a Regiment, which he commanded. He then went onto become Assistant Division Commander of the 71st Infantry Division and travelled to Europe with the division during World War II. After the war, he was appointed Land Salzburg Area Commander in Salzburg, Austria. He returned to the United States and worked in the Research and Development Section at Fort Monroe, VA. He then went to Japan in 1952, where he headed the Northern Command. He returned to the U.S. in 1954, when he was placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List, then in 1959, the Permanent Retired List. He and his wife, Nan Elizabeth (Belles) Rolfe retired to Winter Park, FL, where he was active in retired military, Masonic, and golfing organizations.

Credit Line:

Gift of Ann R. Symroski

People:

Rolfe, Onslow S. (1895-1985)

Subjects:

Fasces, Medals, World War I, Crosses, Eagle, Hearts