The officially engraved Purple Heart of Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st class Vernon L. Petrick. The medal is the 1st pattern PH as issued early in the war with original purple Navy presentation case. Engraved on reverse is “VERNON L. / PETRICK / AMM1c / USN”. Condition is very good showing only light wear with the case have two spots in lining that have opened where medal was pinned.
Petrick was an observer/rear seat gunner in a Curtis Wright Seagull aircraft stationed on the cruiser USS Pensacola. He served during the Midway and throughout the Pensacola’s actions until the naval battle of Tassafaronga when the Pensacola was severely damaged. Petrick was sent to the seaplane base on Florida Island with a new pilot and plane. The job of the floatplanes was to locate the Japanese supply ships sailing down the slot to resupply the troops on Guadalcanal. On January 30th, 1943 Petrick and pilot Lt. Joseph Dobler were shot down by Japanese aircraft over the Island of Malaita. The bodies were recovered but remained unidentified until 1948. At this time Petrick’s remains were interred at the Punchbowl in Honolulu where he currently rests.
The medal comes with a large amount of research paperwork.
