General Robert I. Stack – Ribbon Bars, Stars, & Insignia lot – SOLD

Description

General Robert I. Stack – Ribbon Bars, Stars, & Insignia lot.  This small insignia group came to me recently, it being the last of the General Stack material I had sold some time past.

This lot consists of:

• His WWII ribbon bars, including, (in the order he is wearing them in the photographs)  The Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal w/ 2 olc; Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart, WWI Victory Medal w 2 campaign stars; Pershing Medal (Army of Occupation WWI); American Defense Medal; EAME campaign medal w/ 2 campaign stars.
• Combat Infantryman Badge, STERLING, clutch back.
• Pair of general’s stars. False embroidered pin back, with no hallmarks.
• 36th Infantry Division Patch.
• French Croix de Guerre with palm & star.
• US and infantry collar brass.
• Original snapshot of the newly promoted Brigadier General Stack when in North Africa.
• 2 color maps showing the 36th ID in campaigns in Italy, and in France-Germany_Austria.
• Copies of commission, photos, research material, etc.

The OD section of uniform was taken from a moth eaten Ike jacket, and was not Gen. Stacks. The only two items in the lot pictured in the mount are copies of Gen. Stack in M1 helmet, and Ike Jacket with garrison cap.

Brigadier General Robert I. Stack / 36th Infantry Division. Brigadier General Stack, was the assistant commanding general of that division. When the division picked up information that Hermann Goring was in their area, and seeking to surrender to the Americans, a plan was formulated to go behind German positions, (a cease fire was in effect) to collect the Reichsmarschall before the Russians could lay claim to him.  Moving rapidly through German Army positions, the American recon scout cars turned their turrets to the rear and raised their guns to show no hostile intent.  Some 50 miles into enemy held territory, the meeting took place and General Stack met with Goring, and thereafter traveled to 36th Division Headquarters for the formal surrender proceedings.  Photographs of Stack pouring wine for Goring with Major General Dalhquist (they were taking a friendlier approach to interrogate the high ranking Nazi) was seen as coddling by SHAEF HQ, and Ike was furious with the bad press.  This no doubt was the reason that Stack never received his DSM after the war, which was well deserved, as he was ,to say the least, a “Kick Ass” Assistant Div. Commander.  During a difficult period toward the end of the war, Stack had to take command of one of the infantry regiments, fully engaged in combat and maintained his responsibilities in the No.2 position in the division.

His promotion to brigadier general came after exemplary actions while a colonel with the 1st Armored Division in North Africa. General Stack was known affectionately to his men as “Uncle Bob.”

An historic group, from the original massive collection that was purchased at an estate sale in Virginia back in the 1980s.

Very good + condition.