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This sale is fora
WWII Italian Fascist 800 Silver Navy Valor Medal - German U-Boat Commander
Incredible medal from WWII. 800 silver Al Valore di Marina medal issued to German U-Boat commander Freidrich Karl Guggenberger. Guggenberger was a member of the Kreigsmarine 29th U-Boat Flotilla out of La Spezia, Italy.
Guggenberger was well decorated and earned the follow:
- Knights Cross with Oak Leaves - 8 January 1943
- Knights Cross - 10 December 1941
- Iron Cross First Class - 19 September 1940
- Iron Cross Second Class - 20 March 1940
- U-Boat Badge
- West German Grand Cross of Merit - 1972
- Al Valore di Marina Silver - 10 March 1942
- Al Valore di Marina Bronze - 29 May 1943
He was commander of U-81 when he encountered and sunk the British aircraft carrier Ark Royal in the Mediterranean Sea. For this he earned the Knights Cross.Guggenberger was later captured and sent to a POW camp in the United States. There he escaped and was recaptured in Arizona. He was then part of the famous Great Papago Escape and made it to within 10 miles of the Mexican boarder before recapture.Following his repatriation to German he served in the Bundesmarines of West Germany until 1972. He attended the US Navy\'s war college in Newport, RI. He attained rank of Konteradmiral and was Deputy Chief of Staff for NATO\'s AFNORTH.He died mysteriously in 1988 after disappearing on a walk near his home. His body was found 2 years later.This original issue is stamped 800 (silver fineness) and with the maker mark in the cartouche next to it.
Truly an exceptional historical item. Image of Guggenberger is for reference only.Please feel free to ask any questions. We strive to satisfy our customers,
PLEASE contact us if you have an issue before leaving negative response -
we will do everything we can to insure you purchase is a positive experience.
Payment through PayPal only within 5 days
(Unpaid item case will be opened after 5 days unless we are contacted and other arrangements are made)
Due to the high number of Non-Paying buyers recently all Buy-It-Now options over $50.00 will require Immediate Payment via PayPal unless you contact me to make other arrangements.
Shipping by USPS Mail $9.97
(WE DO ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL offerS - Alaska, Hawaii, and International buyer please contact us for shipping rates which will be different from listing above. All international shipments will be shipped registered/insured unless the buyer waives the seller\'s responsibility for lost or damaged packages unless sale is over $50.00 in which case USPS Priority International Mail with Insurance is REQUIRED - please DO NOT offer if you do not want to pay the shipping). International buyer DO NOT pay until you receive the invoice as some countries will require Priority Mail and insurance to ship to.
We combine shipping!!!
(For shipping discount DO NOT PAY until you receive a combined shipping invoice.)
