This is an original sepia photograph signed by Marine hero, Grover C. Darnall.  Marine officers were required to provide a signed photo to the promotion boards for their file. This was Darnall's submission for Captain.  It is hand signed to the rear: "Grover C. Darnall, Second Lieutenant U.S. Marine Corps., Taken Nov 25, 1921".  There is a "File ???" scribble as well to the back.

Darnall served 20 years from 1912- 1932, first as an enlisted man then accepting a commission in France during 1918 WW1.  He was well decorated and recipient of the Navy Cross (Nicaragua 1927), First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1912) the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (1944 award for 1927 action in Nicaragua), Mexico Campaign Medal (1914), The Haitian Campign Medal (1915), the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (Cuba/Haiti), the Nicaraguan Medal of Merit, the WW1 Victory Medal with two stars (76th Company 6th Regiment, 4th Brigade AEF), and the 2nd Nicaraguan Campaign Medal.   

The heroism medals were awarded for action in July 1927 at The Battle of Ocotal (Sandino Rebellion) while he was a Captain in the Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua.

This photo somehow made its way out of the officer promotion files, I believe the archives made copies (that are provided when contacted) and disposed of the originals at some point.  I acquired a very large stack of original photos about a decade ago.

Photo has two mounting holes from the file that do not affect the image.

The photo measures 4-5/8” x 6-5/8”.