Collections record Beta

Collection Record Detail

Object Name

Badge

Object Number

2017-19-14

Description

Bronze semicircular badge. In center, relief of jeweled crown with holes between arch and base. Crown is set in front of a sun, with rays of alternating lengths spreading out at a 180 degree angle. Below are three separated scrolls, two that are level to the left and right and one in the center below them. The top right scroll has lettering "AUSTRALIAN", top right "COMMONWEALTH" and bottom "MILITARY FORCES". "Rising Sun" badge, Australian Army.

Provenance

Oswald W. Marrin Jr. (1919-2007) was born in New York City before moving to Litchfield. Graduating from Brown University in 1942, Marrin joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and attended Officer's Class in Quantico, VA. He served as platoon commander and eventually executive officer of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. In his company was Charles R. Hickox, Jr., also of Litchfield. Marrin served in the battles of Guadalcanal, Gloucester, and Peleliu. Discharged as a major in 1946, he returned to Litchfield and ran the Marrin Real Estate Company.

Comment

First issued in 1902, to this day Australian soldiers receive this badge with first equipment after enlistment. It was distributed in both World War I and World War II.