Gallantry medals, Orders and Decorations collected by the late Peter Maren will be sold by specialist London coins and medals auctioneer Morton & Eden. The sale, on Tuesday July 2, will include some 175 lots from the collection and is expected to raise more than $500,000.
Mr Maren wished his collection to be sold publicly to give others the chance of ownership and he made arrangements in his lifetime for the sale proceeds to be used to benefit the charitable trust he established. He died last August, aged 70.
Pieces in Mr Maren’s extensive British, U.S. and World collection recall acts of great bravery, personal sacrifice and moments of historical significance. Among the most poignant in the United States section is the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Air Medal awarded to Technical Sergeant Joseph Elzie Mix of Oklahoma, who was killed in action during Operation Tidal Wave over Romania.
The following, taken from the DSC citation, tells the story: ‘The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Joseph E. Mix (39083291), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Flight Engineer and Gunner on a 8-24 Heavy Bomber in the 564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), Ninth Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation 0/8-24 type aircraft, Technical Sergeant Mix acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged, and, despite the fact that gasoline was streaming from one of its damaged fuel tanks, continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Staff Sergeant Mix, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast by his guns. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Technical Sergeant Mix on this occasion, at the cost of his life, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces’.
The group of three medals is estimated at $600-900.
The collection will be on view at Morton & Eden’s London offices at 45 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PE on Thursday June 27, Friday June 28 and Monday July 1 from 10am-4.30pm or by appointment. Morton & Eden holds auctions in association with Sotheby’s and the sale will take place there on July 2 starting at 10.30am and 2.30pm.
For further information, please contact Paul Wood or James Morton on +44(0)20 7493 5344.
