Paul R

These beauties come directly from Iraq. I have not seen such a ranking from the Air Force in Bevo. Lets see your Air Force German made insignia!

I won this awesome three war Coast Guard grouping for less than ten bucks. I bet that this guy saw a lot of escourt duty in the Atlantic. He was in before WW2, serviced throughout the war, and was on active duty during Korea and Viet Nam.

Great set. I have not seen that drape on a numbered labor medal. The medals look really shiney too.

Nice! When was the Labor Medal awarded?

Those are US Air Force and VERY VERY VERY rare. They were around for a very short amount of time. Check out this article published by the US Air Force: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123010810 "Online purchase turns into historical find(Posted 6/17/2005) by Airman 1st Class Dilia DeGrego 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office 6/17/2005 - MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. (AFPN) -- The online purchase of one person here will soon be displayed in an Air Force historical museum. Jeffery Hughes, a 305th Mission Support Squadron human resource assistant, recently donated a rare set of 1955 Airman test stripes to the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Mr. Hughes found the complete set while looking through an online auction site’s eBay military memorabilia section. He said he was not looking for anything in particular when he came across the odd looking stripes being sold from an estate sale. Mr. Hughes bought the stripes for less than $20 and kept them until recently when he spoke with Gary Boyd, 305th Air Mobility Wing historian here. "I wasn't sure how interesting or important they would be to anyone other than me," Mr. Hughes said. "I did know they were of some historic value, but I had never seen them, nor had anyone from the retiree activities office, so I asked Gary Boyd if he had ever seen them before." Although Mr. Boyd said he had not heard of them, he was very interested in the stripes. "These stripes may be the most collectible thing in all Air Force enlisted history," the historian said. "This complete set of horizontal Airmen's stripes were supposed to all been destroyed in 1956." The historian said he had never seen a complete set before Mr. Hughes came across his. Mr. Hughes asked him to evaluate the strange stripes he had purchased. "I had read about the horizontal stripe idea, but had no idea it had advanced as far as it did,” he said. "After evaluating Mr. Hughes' items, I discovered that he must have had a rare set of unissued E-2, E-3 and E-4 stripes. I asked experts, and they were unfamiliar with them. I concluded they were the circa 1952 to 1956 test stripes, and later discovered that some of these have made their way to flea markets in the Midwest." The issue of these horizontal stripes revolved around the time the Air Force was trying to create its own unique traditions and uniforms after its break from the Army in 1947, Mr. Boyd said. "We began issuing our own blue uniforms as stocks of the Army Air Forces clothing was depleted, and began to use our own chevrons," he said. "As part of the yearly uniform appraisal, a suggestion to differentiate the chevrons of Airmen from (noncommissioned officers) was tendered." Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg approved the idea in 1952 with the provision that the upturned Airmen's chevron's be issued and sold until they had been exhausted, the historian said. In 1952, General Vandenberg approved a new chevron for airmen first, second and third classes. The purpose of this change was to increase the prestige of the staff, technical and master sergeant chevrons. The stripes were to change from the angled design to horizontal. However, because of the supply of chevrons on hand, action was delayed until supply had been depleted, which happened in March 1956. The decision to issue horizontal stripes was resubmitted to Gen. Nathan F. Twining, who had become the new Air Force chief of staff. The general replied in a short informal memo stating "No change to be made in insignia." "The issue would have died altogether, as all the existing stock and remaining orders were destroyed or discarded," Mr. Boyd said. "Some folks in clothing issue squirreled away a few sets of these, and they occasionally make their way onto the collector's market." After discovering their historical value, Mr. Hughes said he thought it would be best to share his finding with others and donated them to the museum. "The stripes show one of the different transitions our Air Force has gone through since inception," he said. "I’m pleasantly surprised something that I just thought a curiosity will be shared with all who visit the AMC Museum." Aside from this rare set of stripes, Mr. Hughes has also bought an airman second class stripe for $3 from a seller in Ohio and a few other historical items currently displayed by the historians office in the 305th AMW headquarters building".

Thanks Nick! ;)

How many NC MVKs were awarded? Thank you for sharing that beautiful set.

I am new to these documents... I would think that they would have been entered at various dates, as awarded. Were the books completely redone when a new award was added? Please educate me. I am interested in finding awesome groupings like this, but am scared of acquiring assembled groupings.

Very nice explanation. Thank you. Some of them are very attractive. I can see the appeal!

I have a question... would all of the award entries been logged at the same time? The reason I ask is that they are all done in the same ink and by the same hand.

Wow! That is an amazing bar and in great shape too. I would bet that this would be a great candidate for CWO.

Those are some sweet additions. Are they prewar?

I agree. That is one sweet tunic!

Those are some awesome batons! I would not want to be on the receiving end of them, that is for sure. Were they decorated like that when they were issued or was it done post service?

I would have paid that, although it would have hurt. How often do we come across two order, one of which for Egypt? Cool stuff.

Were these badges handed out to everyone or did they have to be "earned"? I am just wondering if it was considered to be an accomplishment to get one of these?

BTW, from what I read, SPEZNAZ is not a specific unit or MOS. It is a general term used to describe troops with a bit more training that the average infantryman. Please, if someone has more to say on this, I am a willing pupil!

I am just now seeing this awesome photo! I am sorry that I missed it. Thanks Jim! That is one great uniform.

Welcome to the forum Jim. Although I cannot help you out with your request, I look forward to seeing your posts!

I am really excited to find this rare Soviet Naval Ensign. The familiar orange and black striped ribbon at the base designate the unit(ship) that flew this ensign as a "Guards" unit. Pretty cool stuff. Are there any more out there? Lets see what you have! Also, what ships were designated as Guards units? There could not have been too many.

More than I thought!

Again, I am not a head gear specialist. THe shield looks like it is made of plastic. It may just be the photos. I would love to hear the input of others.

I think that it is a bad idea. I do feel that making technicological advances is a good thing; however, when the cost gets to the point to where it is a detriment to defense budget as a while, it becomes a liability. I feel that this plan should be shelved. Three ships are not enough to make a difference on the seas, but 9( or rather 21)billion dollars is.

I am not a fan... My area of experience is not headgear, but I am not a fan of the sweat shield and etc.

Ouch!!!! :speechless1: