army historian

Merwn, the Aviator Geens in the above picture is a Lieutenant Junior Grade (Lt.J.G.)= (Sub-Lieutenant). I have a "Trashed" twin that I will use to promote the one above to Lieutenant Commander, Bailey rank. I have (2) WW2 Naval Aviators medals groups of that rank. Here is the trashed twin. Cheers Captain Albert

Great catch - very rare to get "named" miniatures. Cheers Captain Albert

Thanks Gareth - That is very helpful. Cheers Captain Albert

Here is a uniform - Naval Aviator Forest Green Duty uniform, I just picked up and will use with the display. Also a photo of Bailey wearing the same type uniform. Cheers Captain Albert

Hello All, can anyone give me an average value for a silver Imtiaz Medal? Thanks Captain Albert

Hello all, I got 32 original (period) black and white photos of the Admiral Graf Spee after her defeat and scuttling, also a copy of the "boarding report". Any idea as to value? Thanks Captain Albert

Thanks Mervyn - I am also getting a lot more from the son soon - will post. Cheers Captain Albert

Those are very very nice - and complete uniform displays. I really like the Italian, we do not see much of it. Also it is so difficult even in the US to find WW1 footwear. Thanks for sharing, Cheers Captain Albert

Wow, nice piece. Congratulations - Captain Albert

Thank you speedytop - that is really helpful - So now I know what he was awarded. Cheers Captain Albert

Here are a few more pictures. Cheers Captain Albert

Hello All, here is a small group I am working on (in contact with the son). Cheers Captain Albert Group to Lieutenant Commander. Francis Lewis Bailey, Jr, US Navy Blimp Pilot USS Helena (Pearl Harbor survivor) Served in World War 2 (1940-1946). Lieutenant Commander. Francis Lewis Bailey, Jr, with his Blimp Medals and Awards: Naval Aviator Wing Naval Aviator Half Wing (Airship pilot) Navy Unit Citation (USS Helena – the first award of this honor) American Defense Medal with “Fleet” bar American Campaign Medal Asiatic Pacific Campaign with 4 stars World War 2 Victory Medal Naval Reserve Medal American Legion Medal with “Commander” Top bar. Campaigns: #1 PEARL HARBOR - MIDWAY: 7 December 1941 USS Helena torpedoed, saved from sinking by water tight doors and counter flooding. #2 CAPE ESPERANCE: 11 - 12 October 1942 (Second Savo) #3 CAPTURE AND DEFENSE OF GUADACANAL: 4 - 12 November 1942, 5 January 1943 #4 GUADALCANAL (Third Savo): 12 -15 November 1942 Francis Lewis Bailey, Jr was born 30 September 1915 in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to the War Bailey worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Company, 1334 Central Ave., Los Angeles. From a short history by his son Steve Bailey: Francis Lewis Bailey, Jr. after attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for 2 1/2 years and spending 1 1/2 years at U.C.L.A., enrolled in the first Officer Candidate School for the U. S. Navy in 1940. He graduated with top honors and was assigned to duty on the newly commissioned Light Cruiser U. S. S. Helena (CL-50). Note: Report of separation dated 1946 – lists him as enlisting in the Navy 9 July 1940, and being commissioned on 14 Nov. 1940. He came aboard just after her shake down cruise to South America where her crew (unofficially) investigated the derelict German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee in Montevideo harbor after her scuttling(see photos). Bailey would be part of 4 of the most hard fought Naval battles of the early part of WW2. Bailey was assigned to the USS Helena in 1940. Now the senior American officer in the task force because of the death of the task force commander in action, Helena's skipper — Captain Gilbert Hoover — commanded the task force's retirement to Espiritu Santo from the battle area. On the way, light cruiser Juneau was torpedoed and sunk. Believing that there were no survivors and that the threat from Japanese submarines was too great to search for any possible survivors, Hoover ordered the US ships to continue onward without pausing. Later, it turned out that 100 of Juneau's had survived the sinking, but almost all later died awaiting rescue, which took more that one week to occur. For this decision, Halsey removed Hoover from command of Helena.” My father had been on board all of this time serving as the aft fire control officer. At this point in time, however, his request for air training had been approved and he was transferred from the Helena to the U.S. Naval Air Training Station at Pensacola, Florida. After basic air training, my father was assigned (much to his chagrin) to the Lighter-Than-Air Unit at Lakehurst, New Jersey. He became a blimp pilot, probably, mostly due to his age. He was, by that time, 28 years old. The Navy wanted 21 year olds (who didn’t know they were not invincible) to fly fighter planes, so my dad was stuck with blimps. This factor probably saved his life and I would not be here today. He was sent to the U. S. Naval Base at Recife, Brazil to escort the Allied convoys going across the Atlantic from Brazil to North Africa to support the war in Europe. The German U Boats were still active but they had great respect for blimps as the slow moving dirigibles could track a submarine at their own speed and rain down depth charges on them. They had a few “kills” but the deterrent factor was enormous. He lived to see the end of the war and return to his wife and year-old son – me.My father was NOT on board when the Helena went down, he was in flight training in Pensacola , FL. Steve Washburn (my namesake) WAS on board and was last seen swimming for shore. I will try to find the 1/2 wing and let you know. Email.

Hello all, I have a precipitant who is listed in the 1910 Naval Rangsliste as having a "TsM" I know this is a silver Turkish Medal. I do not know if it is the Turkish Silver Liyakat Medal, or the Turkish Silver Imtiyaz Medal is there any way to tell? Any help would be appreciated. Cheers Captain Albert

Thanks HeikoGrusdat that is why I posted this. I figured that the bars were probably fakes - any comments on the colonial Medal? Thanks Captain Albert

Thank for the reply - that is what I am looking for is options. cheers Captain Albert

Well it is a done deal - the family finally received the package. Here is His response "Hi George, Yes I recieved everything today. Our postman is not very efficient, I discovered the parcel in my mailbox today, there was no notification at any time, so you see why I was skittish about the U.S. mail. All is well and I thank you very much. My son and I are thrilled! All the Best" I know they will be taken care of now. As for the question on Royal Canadian Life Saving Society and medals try OMSA medals database, and Janice Vik [janicev@lifesaving.org] . They will sell the Bronze and Silver Benefactor medals $55.00 and $75.00 each these are really nice thick well made medals. Cheers Captain Albert

Thank for the reply - that is what I am looking for is options. cheers Captain Albert

Thanks Naxos - supposedly there were only 60 native troops and 2-3 whites who qualified for the 1905 Bar. I am hoping the bars are good, but would not be shocked if they are not. I bought the group on the assumption the bars were probably fakes. Cheers your friend George

Here is a better view of the bars. Cheers Captain Albert

Against my better judgment I purchased this two medal group. I think the medals are good - but not sure of the bars, they look good. Your opinions are welcome. It was advertised as re - ribboned. Thanks and Cheers Captain Albert

Avsar Ibar - Thank you for your response. I paid $425.00 US - it is an older version. missing silver decoration between lower points of the star (I can replace myself), enamel passable (about good to Very good - I might restore). I cleaned up the ribbon and rosette a bit. I am happy with it. I can remember when you could not sell these things, funny how fast the prices went up on Ottoman Turkish items. Cheers Captain Albert

Thanks, that was the main reason I bought this group (over priced). Cheers Captain Albert

Mark, if you like 1902 dress blues - check the WW1 uniform posting - I posted a very nice Sergeant First Class Electrician, Signal Corp uniform (complete). Cheers Captain Albert

Here is my latest addition to this theme. It is a named Dress Blue Coat with ribbons. CAPT Alan Ray graduated from the US Naval Academy in the class of 1941. His first assignment was aboard USS LEXINGTON as an assistant gunnery officer. He was aboard the fateful ship on May 7, 1942, when Lady Lex was sunk in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Ray later served as the gunnery officer aboard USS PRINGLE, and later as XO aboard USS JOHN A. BOLE. During the Korean War CAPT Ray was the CO of USS HORACE A. BASS. HORACE A. BASS was tasked with landing Marine Recon and Navy UDT teams (the forerunners of today's SEALs) along the Korean coast to disrupt North Korean supply lines. Cheers Captain Albert CAPT Ray's 37 page oral history can be read here: http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/11271 <br style=""> http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2011/post-8299-0-22008100-1297373039.jpg<br style="">