Tim B Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 There's not a lot of information on this medal showing the specific details and I've asked this question on a couple of other forums and never really got a solid answer. So, does anyone here have a known early example of this decoration they can show here for comparison? I picked this one up sometime back and based on what I see, think it may be an earlier (mid-late 1960's) issue. Appreciate any help or thoughts on this one. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 I've heard the earlier examples have a lighter blue center "jewel" and this one is lighter than the ones I see currently issued by Graco Inc. It appears to have some silver base under the blue stone, similar to the coloration of aluminum foil. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 The rim surrounding the blue stone (resin btw) appears to be somewhat defective on the right side and perhaps was misformed during the production process (see red arrows). The enameling on the stars is nicely done and the die stamping striations on the edge clearly show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 The reason I believe this example to be of early construction is the unmarked brooch. The decoration was initially established in July 1960, once the Air Force got away from using pre-existing Army awards, and was first awarded in November 1965. At that time, medals were being manufactured with an unmarked crimp style brooch and if maker marked, usually had manufacturer's marks on the medal pendant's rim or lower reverse. Around 1970, manufacturers starting marking their logos on the reverse brooch and usually with the suffix of "GI" for government inspected. So...? Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabbell2207 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 look like a VietNam issue medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Hi, I tend to agree with you but Vietnam went till 1975, so I think more along the lines of earlier VN era (prior to 1970/71), based on construction. ?? Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolfek Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 One of the nicest US medals, at less for me. Also the Legion of Merit of course. Regards, Dolfek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speagle Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 This may be of some help. http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7730 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 Hi Ed, The link only provides some general background information on the decoration, but it doesn't discuss design details between initial production and later produced examples. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 Well, I came across a couple of very old threads on another collecting site and two early cased examples lead me to believe there were a couple of early manufacturers. Note the example on the left mirrors the one I show above with the more bright gold rays and lighter blue stone, while the example on the right has more golden bronze rays. Also note the lapel differences between these. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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