Italy, Republic. An Order of Merit, Grand Cross Breast Star by Johnson visually-hidden First Class neck cross

First Class neck cross

white metal and enamels

measuring 41 mm (w) x 40 mm (h)

stating "Deeply regret to inform you that your son Private John J Creech Jr USMC was Killed in Action at Tarawa instead of Missing in Action as previously reported

remaining in service following Austria’s absorption into Germany and seeing postings to the Sudetenland and Krakow through the first half of the Second World War

Italy, Republic. An Order of Merit, Grand Cross Breast Star by Johnson visually-hidden First Class neck cross(Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana). Instituted in 1951. In silver gilt with white enamels, mounted to an eight pointed star base, each star point with five faceted rays, maker marked "S JOHNSON MILANO ROMA" on the reverse cartouche, marked 925 on 3 oclock arm, measuring 80. 45 mm (w) x 80. 55 mm (h), vertical pinback, intact enamels, extremely fine.