US435.)WWII US MERCHANT MARINE SERVICE MARINER'S MEDAL: equivalent to the Purple Heart Medal and awarded to those members of the USMM who were either wounded-in-action or KIA. Scarce and very desirable WWII award with only 6,635 having been bestowed. This medal was discontinued by the early 1950's; it was strictly a WWII award with those very few awarded after 1945 were late bestowal, retroactive posthumous. Stellar, high quality medal with gold and silver pendent, heavy and thick. Has separately applied American eagle motif in center. Reverse has torch and 'UNITED STATES MECHANT MARINE'. Clean ribbon, nicely draped, short and bunched in teh typical WWII style. Has period slot-brooch mounted pin-back. Comes in 3x6" black leatherette case with plush blue velvet lining inside. Comes with matching pin-back ribbon bar. Case opens up and forms a display easel form as shown. Comes too with its original cardboard carton. EXC+++++