bigjarofwasps

Just out of interest re the naming on Purple Hearts, are modern issue (Iraq/Afganistan) medals named to wounded & killed or just killed? By named I mean by the Government as appposed to by the recipient?

42, that gives me a few years anyway!!!!!!!

Wisconsin Quarter Errors: Check Your Change For Big Bucks! You have no doubt heard about the 2004-D Wisconsin state quarter errors. These modern coin errors have been known for some time in the numismatic community, but became red hot once the major media grabbed the story. Sale prices on the errors have sold as high as $800+ in recent days. Speculation regarding the long-term value of these coins is currently anyone's guess, as is their origin. The Wisconsin error coins have so far been discovered in the Tucson, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas area. The three varieties of the coins are easy to differentiate as the variations are easily seen by the naked eye. The example on the left is the standard Wisconsin quarter that is readily found. The example in the middle features a distinct mark that appears to be an extra leaf and this variety is being called "Extra Leaf Low." The example on the right also featured a mark that curves upward and is being called "Extra Leaf High." The next time you get change when purchasing something be sure to check it as you just might find a treasure

The mystery surrounding the extra leaf quarters is about to be revealed! Chris Pilliod, a Metallurgist by trade and well known and respected variety expert, has submitted an article for publication in The Numismatist that proves, without a doubt, that the Wisconsin Extra leaf Quarters were hand made, on purpose by someone at the Denver Mint.

Cool

What about age restrictions?

Cheers Guys, thats about wrapped that one up for me!! Rick, re the `Order of the Dead`, to a certain extent your right, but the war on terror seems to have changed that thinking slighty, with a VC awared in Iraq 2004, and the two GC`s in Iraq 2003 & 2005, all awarded to living soldiers. Granted the VC & GC of Afganistan 2006 were both to fallen soldiers. I think in the case of the GC there have been more awared to the living than the dead, in recent years anyway, certainly more than that of the VC. But one could argue that although there supposed to be of equal merit, the VC certain comes across as the higher award & if not the more famous. Anyway back on topic, its very interesting to see that the US doesn`t have a civilian award, that does surprise me!!!!

Cheers Jeff, thats really interesting. So just out of interest, could someone say from the UK get a 6 month visa go to the States, volunteer to join the Army for 4 years, maybe do a tour in Iraq, then apply for citizenship, or is it not simple?

PK, What a really interesting thread. I was especially interested in the whole invasion of Japan no more minted till 1970 thing, that speaks volumes!!! I also found the differances in the naming of the purple hearts to the wounded and killed, very interesting. Just out of inerest lets say a guy was wounded three times, would he have three purple hearts or a clasp or something? Now re the naming, the throw a spanner in the works. Lets say he was wounded three times, got his PH, and clasp or whatever, but then for this fourth PH he gets killed, would he then be issued with a offically named one, or would he just get a clasp or whaterver for the unamed one he already had? I have a Bronze Star which I think was issued to a guy for service in WW2, for being a `good egg` as it were, might be of help/interest? Gordon.

Hi Guys, Can anyone answer this question for me... In the UK we have two awards the Victoria Cross & the George Cross, but I`m sure your all well aware of that & what there both for. That being said I know the US has the Medal of Honour, but can this award also be given on the same lines as the George Cross, or is there a different medal for this purpose? Gordon.

Hi Guys, Can anyone tell me what the current terms of service are for the US armed forces? Basically I`m interested to know what the minimum period you can sign up for, how do they go about extending and whats the most service you can do. I`m also interested to finding out how the following happens... In the book `Purple Hearts` by Nina Berman she makes mention of several soldiers who following being seriously injuried where granted American citizenship, I`m curious to know how they managed to join the American army in the first place, if they weren`t American citizens in the first place? Can anyone shine any light on this for me? Gordon.

Cheers Barry, this is smashing. The Caldecott`s certainly took a whopping didn`t they. I wonder what happened to Augustus, imagines a guy with a long beard and one leg sitting on a porch come to mind. Am I right in thinking that Francis was killed in action or died of wounds or disease, or some such fate?

Soldier dies after Iraq accident Sgt Stansfield's family were at his bedside when he died A British soldier has died following a forklift truck accident in Iraq. Mark Stansfield, 32, of Oxfordshire, who was soon to be a father, had been flown to a Birmingham hospital after Wednesday's Basra Air Station accident. Sgt Stansfield, of 32 Close Support Squadron, UK Logistic Battalion, was described as "a first class soldier" with a "bright career ahead". Defence officials said he was carrying out security checks at a supply point to the base when the accident happened. Operation Doctors operated on him at the base's field hospital before he was flown the following day to Selly Oak Hospital, in Birmingham, for further treatment. His condition deteriorated soon after his arrival and he died with his family at his bedside on Friday. He was admired by the soldiers he led and respected by everyone Lt Col David Roberts Sgt Stansfield joined the Army at the age of 17 and trained to become a driver. He went on to serve in the Balkans, Northern Ireland and Iraq. As a keen footballer, he helped set up an army football team while in Iraq and had been in Basra almost four months. 'Respected and admired' Lt Col David Roberts, Sgt Stansfield's commanding officer in Iraq, said: "He was a first-class soldier and a very fine senior non-commissioned officer, with an extremely bright career ahead of him. "He was admired by the soldiers he led and respected by everyone." His squadron commander in Iraq, Maj Dave Poole, described Sgt Stansfield as "a diligent man, who never accepted second best" and said he had been looking forward to returning home to his pregnant wife Joanne, whom he married last Christmas. Defence Secretary Des Browne said Sgt Stansfield had been a "hugely brave, dedicated and ambitious soldier" who would be "sorely missed". He added: "My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time." Sgt Stansfield's death takes the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 170 since the US-led invasion of 2003.

Cheers Graham, The new badge is very similar to the RMLY cap badge, to which the old Cheshire Yeomany are now part of...

Cheers Peter, I`ll give that a try.

Cheers Bear, have sent you a PM. Just out of interest, where did this documeny come from. Are more detailed service papers available? Gordon.

Can anyone recommend any books on the history of the USS Wisconsin?

And this one along the same lines.....

Hi Guys, Found this thought it might be of interest, has anyone seen or got any others, to share with us? One Troy ounce USS WISCONSIN BB 64 DECOMMISSIONING COMMEMORATIVE .999 FINE SILVER. Obverse shows the Wisconsin, the reverse states "47 years of Military service USS Wisconsin BB 64 Decommissioning" in the center flanked by two rope and anchor's are the words "Navy WWII 1944-1948, Korean War 1951-1958, Persian Gulf 1988-1991, and 1943-1991" Gordon.

Gotcha, so basically there along the same lines of battle honours....

Cheers Guys, So basically if she`d been a person she`d have won 6 Bronze Stars?

Thought this picture of her rather poignant.....

Above from this webpage.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Wisconsin_(BB-64) Have a read of the Gulf War service, its mad to think that this ship fought the Japs in WW2, the Koreans & the Iraqi`s during her service!!

Hi Guys, Was surfing the net when I found this.... USS Wisconsin (BB-64) ("Wisky" or "WisKy") is an Iowa-class battleship, the second ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. She was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and launched on 7 December 1943. During her career, Wisconsin served in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, where she shelled Japanese fortifications during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and screened United States aircraft carriers as they conducted air raids against enemy positions. During the Korean War, Wisconsin shelled North Korean targets in support of United Nations and South Korean ground operations, after which she was decommissioned into the United States Navy reserve fleets, better known as the "mothball fleet." She was reactivated 1 August 1986 and modernized as part of the 600-ship Navy plan, and participated in the 1991 Gulf War. Wisconsin was last decommissioned in September 1991, having earned a total of six battle stars for service in World War II and Korea, and a Navy Unit Commendation for service during the 1991 Gulf War, and currently functions as a museum ship operated by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum at Nauticus, The National Maritime Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Wisconsin was struck from the Naval Vessel Register (NVR) 17 March 2006, and is currently awaiting donation for permanent use as a museum ship. Can anyone tell me what the criteria is for a Battle Star & or a Unit Commendation?

Thats really is interesting. I know any time spent on tour counts towards your bounty & that the MATTS (old ITD`s) you do prior to deploying also counts towards your bounty.. Gordon.