Honoring This Veteran's Sacrifice
Veterans Day brings our appreciation for those who have given their lives for our freedom.
My friend, Betty King showed me her Gold Star pin which belonged to her mother, Daisy. Betty’s brother, Technical Sgt. William Frank Campbell was killed in combat in 1944 during World War II. He was 22 years old. His mother received the pin after his death.
His superior officer said in a letter: We who have had the honor of serving with William from the early training days at Ft. Bragg, down to and through this and past campaigns, share your loss, Just as we feel the pride you must feel in him. William’s rise from the ranks tells its own story of his loyalty, efficiency and courage. His devotion to duty was a source of gratification to his superiors, and his example was at all times inspiring to his fellow enlisted men. He possessed that very rare quality which demands affection while it commands respect.
History of Gold Star Mothers and Pin
In 1928, after years of planning, twenty-five mothers met in Washington, D.C.to establish the national organization, American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. The name and design of the pin came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a service flag in the windows of their homes. The service flag has a star for each family member in the Armed Forces. Living servicemen were represented by a blue star, and those who had lost their lives in combat were represented by a gold star
The Gold Star Pin can be worn as a pendant or pin.
According to Wikipedia, a Gold Star Pin is an official decoration authorized by an Act of Congress that is issued to the next of kin of service members who died in World War I , World War II, and subsequent armed hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States has been engaged. The Gold Star Lapel Pin was established by Act of Congress in August of 1947.
I was asked to convert this beautiful and meaningful Gold Star pin into a necklace so that it could be worn more easily. It was intended to be worn as a lapel pin. Not wanting to change the pin in any way, I came up with a design that can be worn either as a pin or pendant. The pin can be removed without damage. The Necklace is made of patterned brass to match the pin. I treated the brass to retard tarnish. My design suggests the American flag or a military dog tag. I hope that this necklace will be a fitting tribute to honor the late Mr. Campbell and all the other veterans who sacrificed for our freedom.