Who Am I?
 

I imagine many will know who this gentleman with the distinctive lapel insignia is, but may not have seen this color photo before.

Colonel Frederick?

TR

Yes. That would be my guess too! The Father of the FSSF "Devils' Bde." :munchin

Ski poles on the wall didn't hurt.

TR

That was cropped to show the lapel insignia. Here is the full version (turned sideways because the size restrictions for attachments are for landscape-oriented photos rather than portrait oriented ones):

Another item: a letter from the CG, US VI Corps, (then) MG Lucian K. Truscott, Jr., commending the 1st SSF's actions in the invasion of Southern France. Truscott, of course, knew a little about commando operations, having been at Dieppe and having been in charge of the formation of the 1st Ranger Battalion.

These items belong to a friend of mine whose research specialty is WW2 airborne operations. He is author of a book on the German Army's parachute battalion (most German Fallschirmjaeger units were part of the Luftwaffe). He got them from MG Frederick's grandson. Generally, I don't like it when families give up a part of their history, but at least I know in this case these are in the hands of someone who appreciates them and will preserve them.

Here is one I don't know the answer. The friend referred to above has this picture with MG Frederick awarding the Silver Star to a colonel, but he doesn't know who the colonel is. Any guesses?

Well, I have an answer finally:

Colonel Edwin Anderson Walker, who took command of the 1SSF from Frederick in June 1944 and led the unit until it was disbanded in December 1944. Walker turned into a fairly controversial figure later in life.

Thanks AL
 

Keep these coming if you would. I really enjoy looking at past military history that's been focused into and not had the broad overview, i.e. WWII documentaries.

Thanks again AL.

I've got one, that NO ONE could answer over on Socnet. :D

Who is this gentleman?

BG Don Blackburn, i think...maybe...

He was the first commander of 7th GRP.

You are correct, sir.

BG Donald D. Blackburn.
Arcitect of the Son Tay raid.

Let's try this one