IrishGunner

I hadn't heard that news either.  A generous and friendly man.

Very interesting.  Thanks for sharing.

The American Legion, a US veterans organization started after WWI, has an award program for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at high schools and also for senior ROTC at colleges.  This medal likely is a JROTC award at a high school based on the "American History and Civics Award" inscription on the reverse.  I couldn't find this particular medal in a quick Google search; maybe it is obsolete, but I am not familiar at all with JROTC awards.

While no image is included, the American History and Civics award is mentioned in this article: http://medallic.medalcraft.com/american-legion-school-award.php

Coincidentally, I was awarded the American Legion's ROTC Military Excellence Medal as a senior in college.

https://www.legion.org/rotc

Stimme zu!  Und vorgiss nicht! Einige von uns Ausländer sprechen Deutsch auch - trotz Fehler! Platt ist sicher schwer aber nach ein paar Biere...es fliess besser!  (Where the hell is my Duden?)

It almost certainly would have been split.  Great of the officer to send the letter/award doc to the family.  Too bad they couldn't have the medal.

Well done.  The belt, pouch, and holster are what caught my eye, but I guess that didn't come with this group.  Any interesting documents?

Unfortunately, Kerlew, not mentioned in this useful article either.  Like Johnny stated, history is not always clear...or complete.  It's only what the historian chooses to write; unless you can find the primary source documents and make your own conclusions.

US Navy World War I

Johnny, I've assumed that a ship could be entitled to more than one clasp, but all the sources list only one awarded (like individual sailors).  But have you read anywhere how the Navy decided which clasp to award?  My guess is that it was the clasp for which the ship first qualified.  Thoughts?

Also, attached is the 1948 Navy publication I use as my source for clasps awarded to ships.  Includes all medals, not just the Victory Medal.

Decorations,_Medals,_Ribbons,_Badges_(1948)-4.pdf

One thing you might want to consider is some sort of focus.  Colonial campaigns and WWI is quite broad.  You could end up become a "hoarder" versus a "collector" without some sort of focus to narrow that span down some.  For example, a particular regiment that you have some interest in; the Scottish regiments could be place to look since Scots have a history of serving the Swedish crown as mercenaries.  Or at least a branch or corps, like infantry, artillery, or engineers. 

My focus for British medals is the Royal Artillery and Irish regiments.  Of course, even that has expanded when an interesting Scottish or Welsh regiment piece has come along.  I've even a few Royal Army Medical Corps and Army Ordnance Corps pieces.  So, you see it can be difficult to stay focused even when you have a focus!

2 hours ago, Chris Boonzaier said:

I have been after one of these for ages and ages.... It came with some badly replaced cockades, so I replaced the replacements.... but I will replace the replacements of the replacements when i find the perfect replacements.... but for the time being I think these do the job quite well......

Way too many Ersatz ...but a man has to ersatz what a man has to ersatz.

From my short research, I have come across an official Navy publication that lists the following ships for the White Sea clasp:

Des Moines (CL-17) - a cruiser

Eagle No. 1, Eagle No. 2, Eagle No. 3 (patrol boats)

Olympia (C-6) - actually a very famous cruiser.  Admiral Dewey's flag ship for the Battle of Manila Bay, Spanish American War and she carried the remains of the Unknown Soldier of the First World War back to the United States.  She is now a museum ship in Philadelphia.

Edit: Found three more ships - Galveston, Chester, and Yankton

Pittsburgh (aka Pennsylvania) earned the Patrol clasp according to this pub. Seattle (aka Washington) earned Escort clasp.

Keep me posted on how "soon to go"

Nice find in the research.

Gebirgs Kannonen Batterie ... nice.

Oh, and I have a Kunes in my family tree!

Yea, and I see some Feld-Artillerie in there.  Sleeping around again?

EK1 to Fernsprech Abt. has to be unusual in itself, though, n'est-ce pas?

You just keep rolling with this secret artillery fetish, don't you?

All of the Anton Hoffmann cards are great.  But of course, artillery is the best!

I appreciate your words regarding researching your family.  Perhaps focusing only on your grandfather's WWI service will help you get over the wall.  Cheers!

Yep, USS Washington became USS Seattle in 1916 so the name Washington could go to another battleship. But USS Seattle was on escort duty and would likely never have qualified for the White Sea bar.  Of course, with the dates of 1908 and 1912, nothing says Weldon was on either of those ships for WWI and post-war Russia operations. 

I still like the pair.

Tony, I am envious. It's priceless to have family mementos.  There is a lot of opportunity for research.

For my money, another artilleryman.

Hopefully, our Navy Good Conduct Medal experts will jump in with some comments.  But in the meantime, to get things started:

First, that "Washington" clasp is odd - not an official part of the Navy GCM.

The engraving "USS Pennsylvania" and the date 1908, means this was not the famous battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), but rather USS Pennsylvania (ACR-4) or an armored cruiser.  BB-38 was commissioned in 1916, at which time ACR-4 was re-named USS Pittsburgh.

BB-38 earned the "Atlantic Fleet" clasp.  ACR-4 did sail in the Baltic from June 1919 until Sept 1919 on relief operations.  The "White Sea" clasp was authorized for visiting Russian ports from Nov 1918 until 31 July 1919; so, it's possible ACR-4 did earn the "White Sea" clasp.  Although, I could not find a list of ships specifically authorized the clasp.  According the Navy's official history website, there were only 1000 "White Sea" clasps issued; so, yes among the most scarce Navy bars to the US Victory Medal.  But I have seen legitimate ones for sale in the $300 range, so not unobtainable.

You have a name; so, further research (Ancestry) is very possible.

For me, a plausible and legitimate pair.

19 years old.  These are the stories I wish my high school students could understand.

Armee Korps was my first thought also...  bayer. I AK ... 1. Landsturm unit something or another.  But I haven't seen before this dual numbered helmet cover either.

I may have missed an earlier post.  Why is KuK Inf. Rgt. 83 your favorite?

And I've not seen before the artist rendition "Erstuermung einer russ. Batterie" ... I like that one.  It's difficult to find RPPC with a Russian theme that are not "crazy" priced.  And an artillery connection.  Very nice.

Very nice.  I always enjoy seeing this medal mounted...and with bars.

Timo, you always have the best of luck in finding gems