06-17-2018 12:48 PM
Scanned these ribbon pins can anyone help ID. Especially interested in stars on center one. Thank you
06-17-2018 01:42 PM
The American Defense Service Medal military service members who had served on active duty between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941.
WWII European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, upside dowm in pic with battle campaign stars improperly mounted. A silver star is worn instead of five bronze stars. In WWII 16 Campaigns this medal was awarded for, due to the dates it would be impossible for one to have been assigned to all of the battles.
US Army Good Conduct Medal
06-17-2018 02:27 PM
Hi,
The top ribbon is for the American Defense Service medal. A service member was eligle for this award if they were on active duty between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941.
The middle ribbon is the (it is a mouthful) European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Service Medal. Most just call it the ETO ribbon (European Theater of Operations). Eligible service members would have served in the discribed regions. The stars are called campaign stars and were awarded for combat action in one of the 16 recognized campaigns. Each campaign up to a total of 5 would allow the wearer to add a bronze star to the ribbon. After 5 they could replace the 5 stars with a silver star. An arrowhead device was also approved for participation in amphibious or airborne operations.
The bottom ribbon is for the Army Good Conduct Medal. Awarded for 3 years of "honorable and faithful service". During times of war the terms of service was lowered to 1 year. Additional awards were signified by a bronze bar with a knot for each of the additional medals.
06-17-2018 03:23 PM
I thank you alot. These were my Grandads. I really don't know why the stars would be improperly mounted. but by who? He would not have done that himself.
Have you ever seen this metal pin he had (made of?) screw back mounted on original cardboard paper
06-17-2018 10:22 PM
Ribbon is a little worn-out, Grandpa probably went to the base PX got all 3 ribbons affixed to one bar with the proper stars mounted and they gave him the old stuff back. Now the hat device pic you added, is one of those deals that doesn't fit the picture. US Air Force Enlisted Man Hat Eagle for a class A dress uniform? Air Force established in 1947, they used that device into the Vietnam war. U.S Army Air Corp WWII, well the service was new ground crews scarce, most wore garrison caps with dress uniform if needed and officers wore the black visor dress cap. WWII dress caps for enlisted were wool with wool visors. Seen that hat device trying to be passed off as WWII silver before at ridiculous prices, but bottom line you can find a pic of Willie Nelson in his Air Force uniform from 1950 in various places on the internet. Could be a knock off Grandpa might have been fooled at a surplus store.. ?, without the circle it looks just like a WWII army enlisted hat device. Knock offs are normally white metal and tested scratching the backside. Either way, doesn’t fit with a ground pounder campaign ribbon.
06-17-2018 11:47 PM
Gotta disagree with you on one thing, indy. Enlisted visor caps didn't have wool visors, they were leather. The cloth part of the cap could be a couple different types of wool material (wool serge or wool elastique), or a cotton twill.
The cap insignia isn't WWII era and is most likely from 1950-70's.