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| JACK FRYE and the |
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| MEDAL FOR MERIT |
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| by the President of the United States |
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| Harry S. Truman |
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The Highest Ranking Civilian Award
Bestowed During World War II |
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Quote from the Official Site of the Gold Medal:
"The Medal of Merit, also known as the Medal for Merit, was established in 1942, by Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was to honor civilian citizens of the United States and their allies for exceptional service during World War II." |
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| Word for Word- the text from the Medal for Merit Certificate issued to Jack Frye, on December 22nd 1946 is displayed below: |
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| The Presidential Certificate: |
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THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDER ISSUED BY GENERAL
GEORGE WASHINGTON AT HEADQUARTERS, NEWBURGH,
NEW YORK, ON AUGUST 7, 1782, AND PURSUANT TO ACT
OF CONGRESS, HAS AWARDED THE MEDAL |
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FOR MERIT
TO
JACK FRYE
FOR EXTRAORDINARY FIDELITY AND EXCEPTIONALLY
MERITORIOUS CONDUCT
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON
THIS EIGHTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER 1946 |
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Harry Truman |
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| James F. Byrnes |
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| SECRETARY OF STATE |
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COMMANDER IN CHIEF |
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| Please Click On Photos For Larger Files. |
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Jack and Helen Frye were invited to the White House for the Medal for Merit Presentation on December 22, 1946. The photo to the right and above, courtesy of Helen Frye's family shows the presentation ceremony at the White House in Washington D.C. |
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| The note on the photo, as written by Jack's wife Helen Frye, is transcribed as follows: |
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"When Jack Frye was given the highest civilian decoration at the White House during the war, I, as his wife, was given the ribbon metal with the Eagle against the circle of the stars- (for merit).
The gold wings were Jack's insignia."
Helen Varner Frye |
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| The writing on the photo as written by Helen Frye, is transcribed as follows: |
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"Jack receiving Merit of Honor, Dec 1941- Aug 1945, highest civilian award for outstanding service to United Nations."
Helen Varner Frye |
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| The following quote is from Jack Frye's only sister, Ople (Sunny) Frye Thomas: |
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| "The medal was bestowed by the President of the United States for performing air transport service of vital importance during World War II." Sunny Frye Thomas |
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| Unfortunately, the "CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR MERIT," (details of service to the United States,) which was presented to Jack Frye, has been lost or stolen. However, I am currently researching archive records for a copy of the document, with the Truman Library, and the National Archives. |
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| A Jack Frye |
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| Transcontinental and Western Air |
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| Historical Webpage |
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Copyright 2003-2008
All Rights Reserved |
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| Thank you for Visiting |
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| Sedona Legend Helen Frye |
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| The Jack and Helen Frye Story |
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