Military service ribbons and weapons

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Im283

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I just read and posted on another thread where a member of THR recieved military memorabilia from his grandfather.

My father served in the Navy during WW2. He died in 1958 soon after I was born. I know he was aircraft mechanic while in the Navy. I am unsure of his rank.

He served at Pensacola and Pearl Harbor (post Dec.7) that I know of. I have a few pics of him on a beach from that time period. Mostly they show a buttload of empty beer bottles laying around him and his fellow sailors. Aside from that I have his service ribbons. I also have a US Navy sterling silver ring which I was told he bought from the ships store on a vessel he served on. I do not wear it often but from time to time I do wear it proudly. :D

Can anyone tell me where to find what these service ribbons signify, as in what locations did he serve? There are four altogether. One has a star on it which I believe means "one more time". Also what types of weapons might he have been trained on?:cool:

These ribbons and ring are the only possesions I have of his. Any help would be very appreciated.
 
Ribbon Chart

This site has a visual chart of the ribbons. The stars mean different things depending on the color (brass, silver, ect). Yes, they are +1 (or 3, 4, 5, 6, 3ect).

As far as weapons, I am not sure what he would have been trained on. Things change regularly. A website that might have a lot more help for you is

http://navy.togetherweserved.com

Someone may have added him (even after he died). If not you can do it, someone that knew him might be able to help you. Good luck, sorry for your loss.
 
thank you Damien 45

You enabled me to identify what each of the ribbons mean. I am almost overcome with emotion.

One of the ribbons is for Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal. Per the website this is why it was awarded.

"Awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps (including foreign military personnel), distinguishes himself/herself after 6 December 1941 by heroic or meritorious achievement or service. To merit this award, the acts or services must be accomplished or performed in a manner above that normally expected and sufficient to distinguish the individual above those performing similar services as set forth in the following"

For Acts of Heroism:
For Meritorious Achievement:
For Meritorious Service:

the others signify : WW2 Victory, American Campaign, Asian/Pacific Campaign.

I have learned more about my Dad in the last thirty minutes than in the last 40 years. Thank you. I am so proud I am about to bust.
 
One thing that I find very saddening is the amount of these items that wind up at auctions, estate sales etc. The idea that so many of these servicemen and women pass on with no one heir to their personal items; and worse - heirs to their estates who just dump these things with no interest whatsoever.

----------------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
 
One thing that I find very saddening is the amount of these items that wind up at auctions, estate sales etc. The idea that so many of these servicemen and women pass on with no one heir to their personal items; and worse - heirs to their estates who just dump these things with no interest whatsoever.
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree with that.
 
One thing that I find very saddening is the amount of these items that wind up at auctions, estate sales etc. The idea that so many of these servicemen and women pass on with no one heir to their personal items; and worse - heirs to their estates who just dump these things with no interest whatsoever.
Click to expand...

It's not just after they pass away either. My wife is a very proud "Army mom." Whenever she gets the opportunity to stop and talk to anyone in uniform, she will invariably ask about the awards and decorations on their uniform. I recall one day she asked a SSgt about his. He got a wistful look in his eyes and said "You know. My wife has never even asked what they mean." He then proudly explained each to her.

Thanks to all of you who wear or have ever worn the uniform.
 
Why don't you fill out an SF-180 and send for his old service records. You can use this link to help http://members.aol.com/forvets/htomr.htm#hto

My bride did that for her father and we received the copies after about 6-8 months. She's into geneology and wanted to know more about her father's service history. We were unsure where he served in WWII but were pleasantly surprised to find he was in the 5th MARDIV at Iwo Jima. It was very interesting to retrieve that information about all his training and action during the war. I don't look at old footage from Iwo the same anymore, I'm always wondering if he's out there in the background somewhere.

This information may also reveal the action that you father did when he was awarded the NMC Comm Medal.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

guntalk_logo_sm.jpg
 
You guys have all been a great help. Mom has never been forthcoming with much information. I always assumed it was too hard on her to talk about so I never pushed on it.

Definetely going to look in the Form SF-180 to see what I can learn. I always thought I would never know, now I can try anyway.
 
My Grandfather served as an original C-Bee in the south Pacific durring WWII from 1941-1945. All I have is his white sailors cap with his name and number. I wish I knew more. He passed away when I was 3 and apparently did not speak much of his experience to other family members.

What's more amazing he came from Europe in 1939 and was so grateful to the United States he signed up leaving a family if three who did not speak the language to fight.
 
These are great stories!!! I have a great uncle that was a Marine during the Korean War. He left all of his metals, uniforms and pictures to me. I have a picture of him during combat framed in a shadow box. Its also contains a USMC patch and the Bronze Star he earned. I hung it by my door so everytime I leave I am reminded of the sacrifice that has been made so I could live such a great life.
 
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Whoa Nellie. That ain't hay. I'd definitely try to get ahold of the Citation for a Korean War Silver Star award. And his service record as well.
Click to expand...

It is listed on his DD 214. Along with a Purple Heart.
 
Whoa Nellie. That ain't hay. I'd definitely try to get ahold of the Citation for a Korean War Silver Star award. And his service record as well.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the mix up! Its a Bronze Star!!! I didn't mean any disrespect to those that earned the Silver Star. I do have his DD214 that was provided at the time of his passing.
 
You should also list him at the Navy Memorial website.
http://www.navymemorial.org/navylog.php

The Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal used to be called just the Navy Commendation Medal. The title was changed a couple of years ago.

You can request his service record online from St. Louis. They will follow up with a letter since you have to verify your relationship.

Good thing he was in the Navy. 80% of Army records from 1912 to 1960 and 75% of Air Force records from 1947 to 1964 were destroyed in a fire at the National Records Center at St. Louis in 1973.

You can also request duplicates of his medals, if you so desire.

Navy Vet & SWIFT Boat OIC
 
I started the process but need more info such as his date of birth. I called my Mom and she is in her 80's and he has been dead for near 50 years. Anyway she knew the year and month but not the date. We have a call in to one of his sisters' who will know more. Hopefully i can follow up on this all before the week is out.
 
If you know the county he passed away, contact them for a copy of his death certificate. Any and all personal information is on that certificate. Good luck.
 
I was able to come up with all pertinent information other than his Service ID Number. I could not believe it but my step dad had his SS card saved in his file box along with birth and batismal certificates and the death certificate.

I have filed the request through the website and am mailing off the request form in the morning. Hopefully within a few weeks I will recieve verification that they have the request. Once I have his records I guess I can ask for copies of awards or medals he may have received. Receiving those records will probably take some patience.

I think it is cool already that I have learned more in the last week than in the prior 49 years.

Thanks for all your help on here. THR members are the BEST!
 
STARS SIGNIFY CONSECUTIVE AWARDS IF BRONZE IT MEANS +1 IF SILVER MEANS MORE THAN 3, LETTERS DENOTE DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE E = EXPERT S=SHARP SHOOTER M = MARKS MAN, AS ON THE RIFLE AND PISTOL RIBBONS O= OPERATIONAL AWARDS EXT. If you could post pics we can help u better
 
When you get the records

You will run across a lot of info that is coded, or in jargon. Come back to this thread, and ask for interpretation. The 201 file, will also have citations. That is if he got the Bronze Star for Valorous service rather than meritorius service, he would have a citation that explains what he did to earn it.
Good luck on obtaining the military info.
Hank.
 
Im,

My father died last year. I have yet to find my dad's medals/ribbons. They are put away (buried) somewhere in his house. Most likely near his tech manuals he kept and talked about , but I never seen.

I did however find my grandfather's discharge papers. It gave more insight in to his adventure in 1918 than I knew. It also pointed out just how backward the US Army was during the Great War. His printed discharge papers had a spot for Horsemanship. My grandfather's was filled in; Not Mounted.

I wish you well on your search.
 
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