Silver Star, “Alfred E. Perkey”, US Marine Corps

A Marine Corps North China Silver Star, wrap brooch, hand-engraved “Alfred E. Perky/USMC/602381″.

The naming on this medal illustrates the hazards of misspellings in doing research. The surname on the medal is “Perky”, but his real surname was “Perkey”. To compound the confusion, he enlisted under the name “Alford Emanuel Perkey”, but many records list him as “Alfred E. Perkey”, including Blakeney’s “Heroes of the Marine Corps”, which was taken from official records. However, all of the records agree on his Marine Corps service number, so this is clearly the correct Marine. Perky/Perkey was cited “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against dissident Chinese forces as Hsin-Ho, China, on 5 April 1947. When small-arms, automatic weapons and grenade fire from a large group of dissident forces stopped a truck which was transporting reinforcements to repulse the initial attack on the ammunition point, Private First Class Perkey and his comrades were forced to disembark from the vehicle. Disregarding the barrage of close-range fire, he climbed back on the truck, unloaded two mortars, a machine gun and ammunition for all weapons, successfully placed one of the mortars in action and, after firing several rounds was mortally wounded by an enemy hand grenade and fell at his post. His quick initiative, indomitable courage and unselfish devotion to duty in the face of grave peril reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Perkey and the Unites State Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.” A very rare award for the American involvement in the Chinese Revolution.