The interesting Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Member (M.B.E.) and United States Bronze Star pair awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. MacDuff, United States Army who was appointed an Honorary Member of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his work as Liaison Officer between the International Red Cross and American Red Cross and the United States Army. He was directly associated with the arrangements for the introduction of the Red Cross supplies into Germany to feed the Prisoners of War who were marching west ahead of the advancing Red Army during the final stages of the Second World War.
Pair: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Members, (M.B.E.) 2nd type in silver. United States: Bronze Star, the reverse engraved Robert C. MacDuff, and in it’s original fitted case of issue.
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Together with his metal identity tag, confirming details as 'Robert C MacDuff O-901417 T42 A, Grace E MacDuff, Seymour Lane, Peekskill, NY P' and also three riband bars from his tunic.
Robert C. MacDuff saw service with the United States Army and was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his work liaising with the International Red Cross and American Red Cross in his role as a Major of the Prisoner of War Branch. He would be involved in the introduction of Red Cross supplies into Germany during the final stages of the Second World War when many Allied Prisoners of War were being marched west from their original camps in the east in an attempt to stay ahead of the advancing Red Army.
The recommendation dated 21st June 1945 signed by General Sir Richard Nelson "Windy" Gale, GCB, KBE, DSO, MC states:
‘Lt-Colonel MacDuff during the period covered by this citation was carrying out the duties of Major in the PWX Branch of G1 Division. He was the principal liaison between the Headquarters and the International Red Cross and American Red Cross. He was directly associated with the arrangements for the introduction of Red Cross supplies into Germany to feed Prisoners of War on the march from the east. He exhibited great energy and enthusiasm in the performance of his work and his pleasant personality enable him to surmount many difficulties, the provision of Red Cross supplies at so critical a time saved the lives of many Prisoner of War and the success of the project was largely due to the untiring efforts exerted by Lt-Colonel MacDuff.’
