FrontlineAntiques

Hi Chaps I picked this up today from a tabletop sale. I paid 10 pence. I havent seen anything quite like it before. It was amongst a load of really poor repro TR stuff. Should i have left it there? Cheers, Dan

An Amazing collection. You have some wonderful items! The motorcycle and sidecar are very cool! Dan

I do agree with that. Doesn't look bronze, more likely to be unpolished ORs. Dan

It is magnificent! Thanks for sharing, Dan

Quite right Jonathan. The APC became the RAPC in 1920, placing this badge between 1902 and 1920 (pre 1902 had the Queens Crown, where this has KC.) Great little badge Dan

:love: That is a great looking bar Christian! :love:

Im pretty sure that this chap was Marine corps. One thing that i have found is that there is a lrage concentration of military Brennans in and around the Boston, Mass. area This is going to be an area for me to look at too Thanks Doc Dan

I think that may well be the case Doc I havent seen anything to this chap at all im my searches. Where did you hear about him? Thanks Dan

Hi Wolfgang In my excitement at gaining some possibly possitive information on our guy, i completely missread his name in the email from the MSC. A large schoolboy-error on my part. I am confident that the chaps name is John Patrick Brennan, and this is the name i am researching. The Soldier Care Center at the Natick Labs is the next port of call, hope fully they will be able to help. Dan

Good point Doc! News from Bob Ampula at the MSC - The Medical Service Corps so far only has reference to a James P.Brennan, 2LT in 1970. This was from their Stud Book, which only liststheir location at the time. They are going to send an inquiry to the Silver Caduceus Society to see if anyone knows of him. I hope this is him.

From the museum... "We do not have specific information on the individual in question. My suspicion might be that with his pedigree of being a Senior Aviator and Master Parachutist, and after three tours in RVN, once he had obtained the rank of Colonel he was more than likely attached to the NSC - which I would assume to be the National Security Council. Not a typical career track, but he may well have had connections that made that so. Remember that Oliver North, as a Marine LTC was assigned to the NSC. You are probably quite correct in his assumption that Brennan was not a Colonel at the time of his service in Vietnam." So, no new information, but certainly backs up some of our thoughts. How likely is it that he may have been attached to the National Security Council? Dan

I have just been given some helpful information. Fort Rucker, Alabama, is the home of Army Aviation and they have a museum. This could prove helpful, they may be able to point me in the right direction :rolleyes:

I think that the name change Peter Brown is the most probable. As Gunner says it was a very common occurance for a immigrant to chnage their name from something the local population found different/scary/difficult to pronounce, to something more "normal". Peter Brown is as plain and "normal" as they come! I think that it would be unlikely for a 16 1/2 year old to travel half way around the world under his own steam too. More likely he was taken by his family when they emigrated en masse and he grew up there.

He didn't say that they had the records of any of Pats awards. They dont have any record of a JP Brennan being awarded a silver star. Not surprising really, considering we now know that he didn't have one! He said that he will look at their other databases of awards to medical personel and let me know his findings, and he has also has put in a Freedom Of Information Act inquiry for informaion relating to our Colonel B. The chaps name is Sergeant Major (Retired) Robert Ampula with the US Army Medical Department Regiment's History Branch. He has been very helpful, and is actually on a couple of research quests himself - 1- To attempt to catalogue EVERY award for valor to US Medical Department personnel. This must be a daunting task due to the differing levels of approval for the different awards. and 2- Searching for information on an Army Medical Department Surgeon who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions during the American Civil War. His name is variously listed as James Harry Thompson or Harry J.Thompson. He was born in England and there is reference to his having died in Great Yarmouth, England. I have pointed him in the direction of this site, as i am sure he would find t beneficial

So, with a lightening fast response from the US Army Medical Regiment, I am unfortunately no further on. They were unable to help me as other than awards, they have very little in the way of individual records. Next stop the US National Archive. Any hints or tips?

Doc, where hve you been all my life! Thats amazing! Thanks for your help. I have emailed the MSC so hopefully we should get somewhere with service records... Thanks

Im having a somewhat difficult time reading some of the details within his records. There are several interesting parts that i just cannot decipher- What were his distinguishing marks? Tattoo to shoulder cant make out much more. Something about a superior officer..... And sheffield police....? Can anyone help? Many thanks again, Dan :beer:

Ok, so here we have Harry's service records from Kew (thanks to the other halfs credit card. Just wouldnt take mine...) Its pretty difficult to read but full of interesting info..... Dan :cheers:

Similar to the UK criteria then - "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy". Short but sweet! :whistle:

Does anyone have any idea what the numbers on his tags relate to? 04005650 T-52-53 B. Im guessing that B is his blood type.

Thanks for the detailed response! you guys are all very fast and definately know your stuff! Thankyou for putting me on the right track with the flightsuit name plate and DFC. I think that you are correct that JP Brennan wouldnt have had the rank of Colonel at the time he was wearing this bar. Out of interest, what is the qualification for the US DFC? Is it similar to the UK medal? Thanks again, Dan

Hey Doc Thanks for the superfast reply! What gives t away as army as opposed to airforce? is it an insignia or the lay out? I am a total novice to US militaria so you will have to bear with me. Thanks Dan

Hi Chaps I have just ventured into the world of US medals with my first purchase I Have bought a Vietnam era group to Colonel Pat Brennan, an airforce aviator. My other halfs surname is Brennan, and i bought this for the family link to her name . The only info i have on him so far is the group itself - Pat Brennan - full name John P Brennan (presumably the P is for Patrick) Colonel NSC (National Security Council??) Tags state - John P Brennan 04005650 T-52-53 B. (blood type?) Roman Catholic His medals are - 1. Silver Star 2. Air Medal 3. Army Commendation Medal – 3 citations? 4. National Defense Service Medal 5. Vietnam Service Medal -3 tours? 6. Vietnam Campaign Medal + 1960 bar He also has - Flight suit name tag with Senior Aviator Badge and Master parachutist badge, Pat Brennan COL NSC Plastic name tag for dress uniform with last name Brennan Two full size colonel rank eagles Master Parachutist badge Senior aviator badge If any one can help i would like any info on him. Im based in the UK and this is the first US group i have purchased. I dont know anything about him apart from he was in Vietnam. I dont have the group in hand at the minute, but as soon as i do i will post better photos Any info would be good as i would like to put a person/story to the group. Thanks Dan

Have you had any luck? Dan

Very interesting bar - BWM and TFEM Dan