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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 403

(x) The extraordinary Silver Star and Bronze Star group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant T. F. Abraham, 7th Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, a British citizen who enlisted in the United States Army, consequently serving in Vietnam and who subsequently published his autobiography 'The Cage', in which he claimed he was an escaped Prisoner of War of the Viet Cong - an assertion which was later sensationally challenged and reported in the press

United States of America, Silver Star engraved 'Thomas F Abraham'; Bronze Star, engraved 'Thomas F Abraham', with oak leaf cluster emblem on riband; Purple Heart engraved 'Thomas F Abraham'; Air Medal, bronze, engraved 'Thomas F Abraham'; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal, bronze; Vietnam Service Medal, one silver and one bronze stars on riband; South Vietnam, Service Medal, 1 clasp, 1960; Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and star; Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal 1st class; South Vietnam wound medal, generally very fine or better (11)

Silver Star, 17 September 1967, the original citation states:

'For gallantry in action: Second Lieutenant Abraham distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 17 September 1967, while serving as a platoon leader with Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry during a search and destroy mission near An Ke, Republic of Vietnam. While moving to investigate a suspected hostile emplacement, Lieutenant Abraham's unit came under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire. Completely disregarding his own safety, he led his men across an open field against the enemy emplacement. Moving through the intense hostile fire, Lieutenant Abraham engaged and killed several enemy soldiers. He then assisted his men in killing several more North Vietnamese army soldiers. Again, ignoring the hostile automatic weapons fire, he assaulted another hostile emplacement and successfully neutralised the enemy bunker. Lieutenant Abraham's gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army'

Bronze Star, the award presented on 4 August 1968, the original citation states:

'First Lieutenant Thomas F Abraham who distinguished himself by outstanding meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. During the period August 1967 to August 1968, he consistently manifested exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results. His rapid assessment and solution of numerous problems inherent in a counter insurgency environment greatly enhanced the allied effectiveness against a determined and aggressive enemy. Despite many adversaries, he invariably performed his duties in a resolute and efficient manner. Energetically applying his sound judgement and extensive knowledge, he has contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the United States mission in the Republic of Vietnam. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army'

Air Medal, the award presented on 26 December 1967.

Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the award presented on 12 July 1968.

Thomas Francis 'Bud' Abraham was born at West Kirby, Cheshire on 16 March 1945 and educated at Ellesmere College. In 1964 his father secured a management job in the United States and took his family with him; Abraham attended university in Pennsylvania before dropping out in 1966 - he then received his call-up papers for military service and commenced Basic Training later that year. Attending a course at the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning he was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 27 January 1967.

Vietnam

After this he was posted to Vietnam in August 1967 where he served in the 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

The Cage describes Abraham's introduction to the country, stating:

As I step out of the air-conditioned plane, I feel a blast of humid heat. It's like walking into a Turkish bath. The Air smells of sweat, excreta, rotting vegetables and petrol fumes.'

They are stationed in the area of An Khe where the Regiment faces the constant danger of ambushes for the local Viet Cong. The action for which Abraham was awarded the Silver Star was an NVA ambush about one month after he arrived in Vietnam. The Cage outlines the remarkable action, stating:

'As I lope forward, keeping low, I realize that I'm being shot at from almost point-blank range. I can see muzzle flashes from what looks like a pile of old logs just a few yards ahead. Green tracer fire passes between my legs. Shit! An inch or wo to the left or the right and I'd have been lucky just to lose a leg.
We've blundered into the back of an NVA ambush. They were dug in, waiting for a convoy of thirty petroleum tankers to come up the road, sheltering behind fallen trees in improvised bunkers, their machine guns and rocket launchers at the ready. Instead they've become involved in a pointless skirmish with a bulldozer. And suddenly we've crashed out of the jungle behind them. There's a moment of confusion on both sides. Then they've swivelled round and turned their weapons on us.'

He continued to serve with distinction, earning several awards for his gallantry, The Safetywiser gives further details stating:

'He earned the Bronze Star with "V" for valor and an oak leaf cluster for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostiles forces during his year in Vietnam.
The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry was awarded [to] Lieutenant Abraham at Hue last July 12 for his part in the defense [SIC] of that city, the relief of Khe Sanh and the exploration of the A Shau valley.
The Air Medal cites Lieutenant Abraham for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight while in Vietnam.'

This was further expanded upon by the Cavalair magazine which states:

'British Citizen

Lt. Abraham is a British citizen who leads an American platoon. He has led it through some of the roughest fighting in Vietnam. Some platoon leaders don't see much action during their six-month tours in the field, but B Company, and Abraham's platoon in particular, haven't been out of firefights long enough to catch their breath.
In mid-September, shortly after he took over the platoon, Abraham overran two enemy weapons positions to help break up an ambush on the road near the 1st Air Cab's base camp at An Khe. For that he earned the Silver Star the nation's third highest award for valour.

At LZ Colt

His company was on Landing Zone Colt when a North Vietnamese Army sapper squad hit the LZ in the middle of the night. Two weeks later, Lt. Abraham took control of his and another platoon when the other platoons leader was killed in a firefight, and moved to a forward position to direct fire on enemy positions. Another two weeks later, his platoon was ambushed. Abraham was holding his helmet in his hand and took a bullet through the helmet. Another bullet smashed through the trigger mechanism of his CAR-15 rifle.'

Notably Abraham was also awarded a sharpshooter's badge (rifle), he was later to claim that he had been taken prisoner of war during the conflict.

Author

After the Vietnam war he returned to England to married life and a career in business. In 2002 he published his autobiography of his time in Vietnam titled 'The Cage' recording in graphic detail his capture and torture at the hands of the Viet Cong - a fact which was then disputed by the U.S. Department of Defence and former Vietnam veterans.

Abraham appeared in 'A Hard Talk', a B.B.C. interview with Tim Sebastian on 18 October 2002 where he discussed his involvement in the Vietnam War and his subsequent capture and torture. His claims of capture and subsequent escape were disputed by fellow veterans and unsubstantiated by military records. This book was critically reviewed by 'The Times' in November 2002 and essentially de-bunked his claims of capture and escape. The article states:

'At the end of the Vietnam War, the Pentagon issued a definitive list of all personnel, both American and foreign, who were known to have been either reported missing in action or taken as prisoners of war. Abraham's name does not appear on it.

Only 28 personnel managed to escape from the Viet Cong or North Vietnamese during the entire war, and Vietnam veterans find it inconceivable that Abraham was an unknown 29th.'

According to Abraham, he was captured in 1968 during the Tet Offensive, while serving as a junior officer with the 7th Air Cavalry Brigade. He claims he was taken by the Vietcong to a remote area, caged in bamboo and submerged underwater for short periods, as well as being tortured with cigarette burns and physical abuse. He managed to escape from his captors and made his way back to safety - however, he failed to notify anyone at the time, including his wife, of his capture or escape.

Abraham is believed to have died on 16 July 2016 in the U.K.; sold together with copied research and a comprehensive archive comprising:

i)
Various unit cloth badges, metal insignia, unit citation, and name badges.

ii)
A significant quantity of original documents relating to his military service, the citations for his Silver and Bronze stars and copy of his enlistment form.

iii)
A two-part folio of black & white and colour photographs on the campaign, approx. 50

iv)
A copy of the book 'The Cage', published in 2002.

v)
Included also are the supposed secret letters, written in ink & lemon juice, detailing his captivity and torture ordeal.

vi)
A number of newspaper articles and extracts from magazines relating to his service.

For his miniature dress medals, please see Lot 404.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320