
Lot 66
A U.S.S. Tang submariner's uniform and posthumous Purple Heart group
circa 1944
circa 1944
22 February 2013, 13:00 EST
New YorkSold for US$2,000 inc. premium
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A U.S.S. Tang submariner's uniform and posthumous Purple Heart group
circa 1944
circa 1944
comprising: Purple Heart, slot brooch, with black leatherette long case and award certificate; campaign medals including World War II Victory, American Defense, Asiatic-Pacific and American Campaign; Fluker's sea bag with complete uniform; extra embroidered ratings and patches; Harry Truman condolence letter; a pair of leather mittens; embroidered souvenir pillowcases, and American flag; Fluker's wallet and various photos and related documents.
Footnotes
Provenance:
The War Museum
Torpedoman's Mate 1st Class John Fluker, a native of Virginia, was lost aboard U.S.S. Tang when it was struck by a circular run of its own torpedo and sank in the Formosa Straight on October 25, 1944. 78 men were lost, and 9 - including the Tang's commander, Dick O'Kane - survived and were captured by the Japanese. Commander O'Kane was awarded the Medal of Honor for the Tang's last two missions.