Paul R

WOW! You did well!

It is beautiful!!! Are they easy enough to find? I would love to have a bar with this medal on it!

Thanks Rick! Can someone please post an example of the Cross of the General Decoration? What does it look like?

Very sharp! I like the way you have your insignia organized! I cannot wait to have a display room again!!! My stuff lives in boxes for now!

WOW Larry! Where are you finding all of these? Do definately have a nack for finding the reserve tabs!!! I would love to find your source Congrats! Paul

Agreed! Either black or blue!

Awesome photo!!! He must have borrowed someone's Service Visor as it seems to have a different waffenfarbe piping. PAul

What a distinquished career he has had! Active duty for three wars! Active duty since 1973!

If it is a legit set, the only thing I can think of is it belonged to a Junior Saudi Officer working directly with the US... Maybe a liason officer during Desert Shield/Storm? How is it being offered?

Here is another Bronze Star with "V" awardee that went to a Coast Guardsman I was over there with. Nathan Bruckental On April 25, 2004, Damage Controlman Third Class Nathan Bruckenthal, USCG, from Smithtown, New York, and two U. S. Navy sailors were killed in the line of duty while conducting maritime intercept operations in the North Arabian Gulf. He and six other coalition sailors attempted to board a small boat near the Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal. As they boarded the boat it exploded. Petty Officer Bruckenthal died later from injuries sustained in the explosion. Petty Officer Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guardsman killed in action since the Vietnam War. He was assigned to Tactical Law Enforcement South in Miami, Florida and deployed with Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia aboard the USS Firebolt. This was his second deployment to the Arabian Gulf for Operation Iraqi Freedom. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/nbbruckenthal.htm Here is the service magazine that has a lot of info and pics. http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/cb/PDFs/may2004.pdf He was a great guy!

Here is news release of one of the people I was overseas with... I will try to find a photo to post For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary August 6, 2003 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge honored Lt. Christopher Barrows at a ceremony today for his actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "Lt. Barrows and his crew carried the fight away from America's shores, and, in the best traditions of the Coast Guard, they denied the enemy any opportunity to harm our nation," said Secretary Ridge. Barrows earned the award while serving as the Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Wrangell, a 110-foot patrol boat normally stationed in Portland, Maine. Wrangell represented the first line of dense for Coalition Naval Forces providing protection for mine hunters in the waters of Iraq. In addition, Barrows, who graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1993, earned the award for his "impressive tactical skill and unparalleled leadership" during escorts of humanitarian aid shipments to Umm Qasr that ensured the expeditious flow of food and medicine to the people of Iraq. Wrangell was one of eight Coast Guard patrol boats deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to conducting coastal security patrols and boardings to prevent the movement of Iraqi military forces or equipment, Coast Guard forces provided security to Iraqi oil terminals; ports in Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq; and humanitarian aid shipments. Approximately 1250 Coast Guard personnel were deployed at the height of operations; about 350 remain, including a new crew for Wrangell and three other patrol boats that continue to provide security in Iraq's waters.

I never thought that it would be safe on cloth.

Stunning displays!!! The medal bars are beautiful. What is the third medal from the left on the Saxon bar? Paul

Rick, I do not think that it is a bad bar at all.

I will have to look at it when I get home. I think that it is brass or some other yellow metal.

LW Tabs... with WD40?!? Please explain!

Hi! The bar does not glow at all under the black light. It seems that at best, we have a bar combination that is possible but unlikely. It is also home assembled. The bar cost about 150 in trade. Is there anything else I can do to rule out a post war assembly? Paul

Thanks Larry!

Flight! These are still tied together!

More tabs today! Flak

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