USA Ribbon Bars

[Bill Brouillard Jr.]

Ribbons (1945) to M/Tech Sgt. Louis N. Gosselin - As a Cpl in August 1942 he was an aircraft mechanic with VMF-212 on Guadalcanal (Cactus Air Force) his CO was "Indian Joe" Bauer who earned a posthumous Medal of Honor.

[Hugh]

Good Conduct Medal after his campaign ribbons?  I wonder what that's all about.  

[Stogieman]

My Father In Law’s service ribbons on his WW2 uniform, USMC

[Bill Brouillard Jr.]

Hugh - Prior to 1947 the Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard Order of Precedence was 1) Decorations 2) Unit Awards 3) Campaign Ribbons in order earned 4) Service Medals - The Marine Corps, Navy, and CG  considered the Good Conduct as a "Service Medal" and was worn last. - This is a good test to see if ribbons were "Our Together" since it is not a well known fact except to long time Navy and Marine Corps Collectors.

 

The Army on the other hand declared when the Army Good Conduct medal was created in 1940/41 that it was a "Decoration" and always worn first. This was important since the armed forces declared in 1942 that campaign medal production would cease due to material shortages but decorations would still be manufactured - That is why collectors today see so many Army Good Conduct Medals from WWII.

 

Bill

[Hugh]

Thanks, Bill!  34 years combined service in the Navy / Naval Reserve and I had no idea.

 

H