Has anyone seen anything like this?
 

This was mailed to my grandmother from the White House Aug 1963, it is signed by JFK.

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/t...452/JFKPic.jpg

Charles was my mothers brother and served with G company, 2nd. Battalion, 158th. Regimental Combat Team.

He was Killed in Action 22 Jan 1944 in the New Britain Island battle of Arawe.
That is all we know about his death. I have no idea why he received this award or anything about why it was issued.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Magic

Did they find his remains at that time or something?

This seems reasonable. That or perhaps after some time frame they decided to make all MIAs in some battle KIAs, instead?

Or is it a posthumous award?

He was killed in action not a MIA.
His remains were returned to Royal Oak Michigan later that year.
The award was given in 1963.

Magic

Hey its a little hard for me to read..

Could someone please put it in text please? pretty please? :oops:

My g/f received one for her Dad. He was former Vietnam vet and passed away in January 2009.

I got one signed by Bill Clinton when my father passed away in 1998. I understand they will send this to anyone that requests it. In my case it was the veterans agent.

The United States of America
honors the memory of
CHARLES W. HAUGER

This certificate is awarded by a grateful
nation in recognition of devoted and
selfless consecration to the service
of our country in the Armed Forces
of the United States.

John f &rngh
President of the United States

August is very correct, here. The VA will award this "thing", which is basically a military death certificate, to families of the deceased upon request, and often, without request. Other times the DOD will present it. The criterion they use are unknown to me, but I do know that any servicemember killed in action can get one, as well they should.

As a deceased veteran of a real war, your brother has my respect and admiration as a Marine and a "veteran". Men like him are why we servicemembers fight and why this nation endures. He was part of a brotherhood of defenders who were, and are, willing to give everything for the preservation of freedom.

I won't post that goofy "salute" emoticon, but I will stand up from this chair and offer a proper Marine salute to your mother's brother as soon as I conclude this post.

Rest peacefully, Charles Hauger, secure in the knowledge that you fought honorably in service to your brothers-in arms, the helpless, and your countrymen.

<salute>

Thank you so much for your help.
I showed this to my mom a few years ago and she just said that it was her brother and started crying. I never bough it up again.
She was 91 at the time and could hardly remember much about her past life.
But did remember this. Some memories die very hard.

A special thanks to UnderseaLcpl.

Magic

An uncommon use of the word consecration.