David S

Oberst Karl Niemeyer - Small bar

Oberst Karl Niemeyer - Large bar

Love that Combat Crew backing !

Thanks for the clarification.

My thoughts as well. He qualified for being under fire but was not recognized for valor. Not even a 'V' on his ARCOM.

Army Commendation Medal - 3 clusters Army Achievement Medal Army Good Conduct Medal - 1 'knot' National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal - 3 stars NCO Professional Development Ribbon - numeral 3 Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon - numeral 2 Vietnam Campaign Medal Question - Is the 'knot' on the Good Conduct bronze or silver? It's hard to tell from the picture. Should be Silver or Gold depending on how many years served. Conclusions: Not a combatant. No combat or gallantry awards. Possibly a Sergeant First Class (E-7) or Master Sergeant (E-8) due to the '3' on the NCO PDR which denotes Advanced NCO education. MSM would be the standard retirement award for someone of that rank. Whatever the job was, he or she did quality work hence the 4 ARCOMS. Service from the late 60's to the late 80's. AFEM could be for Korea (66 to 74), Grenada (83) , or Panama (89). I am thinking the last two. Did three overseas tours. . . two Germanys and a Korea.

Actually flunking basic training means that a career comes to a screeching halt. Darned few people fail basic hence the absurdity of the 'award'. Coming out of AF basic nowadays you could have two ribbons . . .the training one, and the marksmanship (for Expert only). AND if you are Honor Graduate you get another ribbon. The Army isn't much better, for completing Basic you receive the Army Service Ribbon. You get a marksmanship award (not a ribbon) as well. When I got out of Army basic in 1972 I had the National Defense, it took me three years before another . . .the Good Conduct. National Defense has qualifying periods 1950-54 Korean War era 1961-74 Vietnam era 1990-95 Gulf War era 2001-Present

The Air Force Training ribbon is for completing Basic Training What has always boggled me is why the AF has TWO long service awards? The Good Conduct is for enlisted only for 3 years service, the Longevity is for 4 years service for everybody. The AF is the only service where officers receive 'awards' for long service. All this is for active, AF Reserve and NG have complicated formulas for calculating time.

This Airman did a minimum of 4 years and a maximun of less than 6 years active service. Six years would have warranted a cluster on the GCM. This soldier could be male of female. They served in a period (possibly 1990-95) to be awarded the NDSM. They did a 'short tour' of 15 months, possibly in Korea. One of the units they served in was awarded a OUA (1 to 2 years qual period). Not necessary to be combat related. The cluster on the Professional Military Education ribbon means they completed the second level of education. NCO Prep and Airman Leadership maybe. They did a good enough job to receive the AF Achievement medal. Sort of a glorified Letter of Commendation. Nothing overseas except for the short tour. Most likely ground element. A lot to show for not much.

A magnificent accumulation to say the least

and the back

close-up of the front

I've had this for a couple of decades. It shows the age well

Thanks Rick! These were on ebay at a decent price. Have always been interested in epaulets, but only know the bare minimums for ID'ing.

The back of #2

The second one

This is not my area. I am unable to ID these two singles. I believe them to be Forestry but am seriously not sure. Any assistance will be appreciated. Thanx for looking

Mine too

and more

more with devices . . . especially the EK2 one !

I thought that I had more . . . but these will suffice for now

twenty seconds wait !? I want it now ! I've got more with devices but they are 140KB+ and too big to post, will rescan them and post Yes . . . a lot of these came from Stogie-land

some with devices

. . . and more

and more . . .