IrishGunner

Come on now... Now I know you are exaggerating. If virgin sacrifices were part of the job, we'd all sign up to be gnomes...

It's truly impressive and appreciated by even those of us that do not own such bars/photos... It's great reading "unpublished" histories. And usually we learn other tidbits of information about the medals or units that are helpful in other endeavors not related to the specific item at hand. Allow me to say thank you even though I've never submitted anything to the Gnomes. PS: But you still can't convince me that below isn't the real process...

PM sent Paul...

Thanks Paul. I was thinking "Indian Divisional Ammunition Column"

Indian Army experts... Anyone have an idea what the following unit on an Indian Vic would mean: I.D.A.C. R.F.A.

As has been said in another similar thread, there is no question that this recognition is long, long overdue and should have been more immediate after the war. No question, these men are deserving and were "slighted" due to the some early "political correctness" in the post-war period due to the "stink" of Bomber Harris and a desire of the Government of the time to distance itself from any unpleasant memories. However late in coming, the recognition is appropriate. However, we have to be realistic; there is a large dose of "politically correct revisionism" motivating the current decision to recognize these veterans. And, point of fact, even Bomber Harris didn't wait long for a knighthood and only had to wait until 1953 for his baronet. Baronet - 1 January 1953 (Conferred 13 February 1953) Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath - 14 June 1945 (KCB - 11 June 1942, CB - 11 July 1940)

You're right Ricky...could have an Indian Campaign Medal in there too. QM wasn't (and still isn't) glamorous, but as some now-dead senior officer said, - “I don't know what the hell logistics is, but I want some of it.” If he was a respected logistician, it was quite possible he repeatedly was called to the flag for all those campaigns.

The medal bar is upstaged by the mustache...

I appreciate the sarcasm But Indian Wars is a far stretch I think... On the other hand, the Spanish-American War doesn't seem too far of a stretch. 1898 to 1918 is only 20 years. If he had been in Cuba as a young officer, a nice ribbon bar could've resulted... Spanish Campaign Medal, Cuban Occupation Medal are possible. Add a short diversion to the Philippines sometime between 1898 and 1913 and he adds the Philippine Campaign Medal. Then a state decoration... All plausible, but difficult to say given the darkness of the ribbon bar image.

Yea, I saw it... And do you recall the thread that talks about artillery being the biggest cause of casualties on the battlefield in WWI? Hey, anytime you guys want to go over the top without Feuerwalze, go ahead. Be my guest. These guys will come pick up the pieces later...

Ed, I thought the patch was the 79th Div when I first looked, but it isn't... His patch is for the Advance Section Services of Supply. See this link: http://www.worldwar1...dbc/adv_sos.htm As Ricky states, he's WWI US Army officer of the Quartermaster Corps (insignia on collar). I'd also agree that he's most likely a lieutenant colonel... I think it very unlikely a QM officer in the Advance Section Services of Supply would receive a Croix de Guerre with three stars. A CdG possibly, but not with citation stars. Just unlikely in my opinion. I see the top two ribbons to be WWI Victory Medal with 3 campaign stars and Mexican Border Service Medal; not unusual at all for this officer. I can't make out the long bar right above pocket and that does seem unusual if they are all pre-WWI. Possibly some National Guard ribbons.

You guys hear something?

I concur with Jeff; Royal Artillery sweetheart pin. Pre-1953 since it has the "King's Crown". A nice one...

Very nice...

No, I don't own an actual one to share, but recently saw one at the US Army Special Forces museum at Fort Bragg, NC and I thought I'd post this here since it's such an unusual, rare, and interesting piece. A couple links about the background/history of the medal: This one shows the medal itself (especially useful since my photo is poor quality): http://glosters.tripod.com/Burma1.htm More info: http://www.insigne.org/OSS-101.htm

Ricky, I always thought Chris would post the most socially unacceptable and tasteless photo I'd ever seen on GMIC... However, that Elvis impersonator shot will be difficult to exceed. My eyes are scarred. I think that may be grounds for a 90-day suspension!

Serious business. I find these type documents immensely more interesting than a medal with unknown provenance.

"Here's Your Infantry" was a WW2 traveling tour by US military heroes, including Medal of Honor winners, the purpose of which was to encourage the sale of War Bonds. I've seen reproduction posters with this image for sale on the internet, but not this badge. Here's more on the art in the poster: http://fortmissoulamuseum.org/WWII/detail.php?id=306 Here's the wiki of Charles Kelly (Kelly was the first enlisted man to be decorated with the Medal of Honor for action on the European continent); it mentions him touring as part of "Here's Your Infantry". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_E._Kelly I wonder if this badge was a souvenir from the tour; maybe a token if you bought a war bond. Or given the plethora of reproduction posters, the badge could be a later reproduction as well.

Fantastic 1870 bar! With or without a name.

Mike is correct. A WWI US Army officer - major or lieutenant colonel - of the Quartermaster Corps (insignia on collar). His patch is for the Advance Section Services of Supply. See this link: http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/adv_sos.htm Top two ribbons look to be WWI Victory Medal with 3 campaign stars and Mexican Border Service Medal. Can't make out the long bar right above pocket. Perhaps a higher level wizard ... or Moderator ... can move this to US section; it might garner more info.

Doc, like you, I too have extensive professional and personal experience in Europe. But I won't measure appendages with you... Let's just say we have a difference of opinion. And it's exactly that... Opinion. OBE and Legion are just as political. Look at the list of recipients from politics, the arts, science etc. I've named two recipients above that epitomize the argument that those awards have minimal value of those awards in my opinion. Sheer volume alone suggests the honor is minimal. I don't like some of the awardees of the Medal of Freedom. That's just politics. Which to me seems to be the prevailing argument against the medal in this thread. I guess we'll just leave that as a difference of political opinions. I am rather indifferent (as an average American) to the award. But I also can't see any plausible, fact based, argument that places the Medal of Freedom outside the same political-based category of the OBE and Legion - especially the highest levels of the award! As you say, "I have no respect for any award which is most frequently given for political reasons rather than real recognized achievement." You can't have it both ways. My argument is not that the Medal of Freedom is particularly significant. But rather my argument is that it's no less significant than are the OBE and Legion. They are all birds of the same political feather. PS: As for "recognized achievement", if the records of the scientists, astronaut, and civil rights leaders above don't qualify for "recognized achievement" then what does? PSS: Personally, I have to admit I respect John Lennon for sending his back to the Queen. Peace Out.

Welcome to the forum! You will find we have a couple outstanding experts on Spanish awards... Hopefully, one of those will answer soon. Until then, enjoy checking out the other areas of the forum, including the sub-forum on military related coins etc.