Bill Brouillard Jr.

Barry Weaver brought this flag into the 2011 OMSA Convention and I helped him lay it out - Here are some photos I took. I wonder what became of Midshipman Shaw?

Bill

Here is a High School photo of Higby

This is a small Belgian group I recently picked up

Bill

1980's period engraving - possible replacement medal

Bill

The US Mint made a limited run of these medals prior to the war which were issued to the Navy/Coast Guard/ and Marine Corps - These medals are found in a white box with the words American Defense on the cover in blue lettering

Bill

Here are some photos from the Marine Corps Museum Collection

This would be for the Navy version of the MOH

Bill

On 01/02/2007 at 12:58, Ralph A said:

A very nice group !! - Is the Society of American Military Engineers Medal named on the reverse?

He was expelled from the USMF about 18 months ago - he did not add any worthwhile contributions to our hobby and some of his "made up" groups are now entering the collector market - Buyer Beware!!

Bill

It should be noted that there are 2 versions of the WWI Pennsylvania Medal - The National Guard version (pictured) has "PNG" in the Keystone at the lower obverse - However there was a scarcer Federal Service version for Soldiers, Sailors, & Marines who were not members of the National Guard - This Federal version has a five pointed star in the Keystone at the lower obverse

Bill

The Wake Island Device is an award device of the United States military which is presented as a campaign clasp to both the Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medals.

The Wake Island Device is authorized for any sailor or marine who was awarded the Navy or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal due to service during the defense of Wake Island during the opening days of U.S. involvement in the Second World War. To be awarded the Wake Island Device, a service member must have been awarded either the Navy Expeditionary Medal, or the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, and must have served on Wake Island between the dates of December 7 and December 22, 1941.

The Wake Island Device is worn as a campaign clasp, inscribed with the words “Wake Island”, centered on the upper portion of the Navy or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal. When wearing the Expeditionary Medal as a ribbon, the Wake Island Device is annotated by a silver “W” device, centered on the decoration.

A total of only 449 Marine Corps and 68 Navy personnel were eligible for the Wake Island Device, making it one of the rarest of United States military awards. (As a point of comparison, there were a total of 472 Medal of Honor recipients during World War II.)

This group has been in my collection since 1995 and I thought I would share this with the group

Honours for Operations off Terschelling on the 11th August, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the following honour and decorations to the undermentioned Officers of Coastal Motor Boats in recognition of their gallantry during a reconnaissance of the West Frisian coast on the 11th August, 1918: 

To be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order.

Lieut.-Cdr. Anthony Launcelot Henry Dean Coke, R.N. During the course of the operation the Coastal Motor Boats were attacked by hostile aircraft, and, although greatly outnumbered, succeeded in bringing down two enemy aircraft. Lieut.-Cdr. Coke, who was Senior Officer of the flotilla, showed great determination, gallantry and courage in continuing his reconnaissance in spite of the presence of the enemy. The Coastal Motor Boats led by Lieut.- Cdr. Coke fought a very gallant action against superior odds, and continued to do so until all their ammunition was expended or their Lewis guns rendered useless by jambing.

Pvt. Charles Marino earned the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism on April 10, 1918 at Bois Brule near Apremont France " He displayed coolness, courage, and the spirit of self sacrifice during the action of April 10, 1918 in voluntarily going through shell swept area to bring back a wounded non commissioned officer to a dressing station"

Marino was originally awarded an early unnumbered French Style DSC which was lost from his personal effects after he died of wounds on July 21, 1918.

The DSC on the right was numbered 5718 was sent to his family in 1920.

RIP Pvt. Marino

You’re Welcome 

On 29/09/2019 at 08:22, Herr General said:

Does anyone have access to the book; "Awards of the US Army DSM, 1942-1969"  

Does anyone know any other way to research a possible DMS award to a Dutch national during ww2?

I have this book - what do you need?

Bill

On 09/11/2021 at 11:21, numis said:

Thanks for your response and the info contained in it dmiller8

There is no document present verifying the Army GCM

Can you attach photos of the medal reverses and dog tags - that will assist with research

Bill

Ancestry has the Navy Muster Rolls up to 1949 which should give you some early career details - It appears that he had late 1940's Submarine Service

Name:Ronald D Higby

Ship, Station or Activity:Blenny

Ship Number or Designation:SS-324

Muster Date:3 Aug 1947

Name:Ronald Dean Higby

Gender:Male

Birth Date:12 Jun 1929

Death Date:29 Jan 1979

SSN:542226306

Enlistment Date:8 Aug 1950

Discharge Date:7 Jun 1954