army historian

well I received copies of his records a while back. This is what he earned: Verified Awards: Air Force Commendation Medal (probably retirement award) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Navy Good Conduct Medal (49-53) not named Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 bronze loops (Army prior to 1963) American Campaign Medal with 1 Br. Star Europe Africa Middle East Campaign Medal 3 stars Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal WW2 Victory Medal WW2 Navy Occupation Medal with Asia Bar China Service Extended National Defense Medal with 1 star Korea Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Air Force Longevity ribbon with 4 oak leaf clusters Air Force Small Arms Expert ribbon Korean Presidential Unit award Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm unit citation Vietnam Civil Actions 1st Class with Palm unit citation UN Korean Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device Missleman badge

Thanks Paul, one really good thing about a decent restoration job is that it will stabilize the ribbon and increases it's life. Here is another. George

Yes Paul, I know exactly what you mean. I always save the original ribbons, and keep them with the medal. I hate to re-ribbon especially US. I have had some luck in restoring originals (where possible). Here is an example of a really fraded ribbon. This ribbon was special, as it was one of the short duration types. Check out the pictures. Captain Albert

Thanks Rogi, and Scott -I will have to see if I can restore the ribbons a bit. George

Thanks Paul, I appreciate the comments. George

The latest group. To Water Tender 1st Class William Paul Wehman. I beieve he served (1917-1920, & 1920-1924). Needs research yet. Navy straight bar suspension NGC – Engraved named “C.S.C. / 51417 / WM. PAUL / WEHMAN / U.S. TORPEDO / STA. NEWPORT / R.I. / 27 APR 1923” WW1 Victory Medal (no bar), WW1 New Jersey Service Medal engraved named “Wm. Paul Wehman” running script. Ribbons on NGC and NJ WW1 Medals badly frayed. This information came with the group: William Paul Wehman born 10 July 1891 in New Jersey served in WWI; he re-enlisted in April 1920 and was serving aboard the USS McKean DD-54? (DD-90) at Portsmouth New Hampshire at that time. He got married while in Portsmouth and was honorably discharged at Newport RI in 1923 (1924). The information in brackets I believe to be correct. USS McKean (DD-90/APD-5) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first ship named in honor of William Wister McKean. McKean was laid down by Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California, 12 February 1918; launched 4 July 1918; and commissioned at San Francisco 25 February 1919. This is too late for WW1 service, so I believe he may have served on DD-54 - The USS McDougal (Destroyer No. 54/DD-54) was an O'Brien-class destroyer built for the United States Navy prior to the American entry into World War I. After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, McDougal was part of the first U.S. destroyer squadron sent overseas. Patrolling the Irish Sea out of Queenstown, Ireland, McDougal made several unsuccessful attacks on U-boats, and rescued survivors of ships sunk by the German craft. After a collision with a British cargo ship in February 1918, McDougal was under repair until mid-July, and afterwards, operated out of Brest, France. Upon returning to the United States after the war, McDougal conducted operations with the destroyers of the Atlantic Fleet until August 1919, when she was placed in reserve, still in commission. I also found a family protrat of his family taken in 1899 (he was 8 years old at the time). Captain Albert

Yes Hugh I believe you are correct - one of my best friends (in the Navy) was a Signalman in the 1970's. George

Yes I thopught that also - I will need to write for his records. George

This is my latest find - at an Antique Show here in Humboldt County. 6 pre-WW2 ratings, and 2 WW2 ratings. Came with a 8" x 10" framed color photograph of the USS Clark DD-361, two liberty passes to Terrence Leon Boyer, a 1939 Christmas menu (with list of all Officers and men), 25 page phamphlet (Birth of a Shellback), Neptune summons, and order of the day (Neptune), and 6 black and white photos. The pre-WW2 Signalman 2nd Red and Blue has a "Crow" that looks to me like a Seagull. It was nice and cheap. Captain Albert

Yes, very very nice group.

I understand - no problem. George

Thanks Scott - you know I still have that Purple Heart (private named) to Morr 1st Bt. 503 PIR with the extraxs, if you are interested. George

Yes Paul the rate sailmaker was disestablished in 1939, and merged into the bosun's rates. That is why he was appointed an acting Chief Bosun's mate when he re enlisted in the Navy in 1941. George

A little more information on Claude W. Cook. I received a copy of the 20 Jul 1918 (24 Jul 1918) muster of the survivors of the sinking of the USS San Diego (30 pages) from the National Archives today, and Claude W. Cook is listed as a Sailmaker 1st Class. So his survivor status is verified. George

I don't know Paul - that is a good question - What is real interesting is what he chose to have mounted. All post war medals? will see. George

Thanks Paul, Here is I have so far: group was sold on ebay from New York, I got it in a trade. Leo Stanley Fronc Born 20 Feb. 1919 Died 2 Mar 1993 Toms River, Ocean, New Jersey, USA Enlisted in the Navy 4 Apr 1937 Received on board USS SomersDD-381 01 Dec 1937 commissioning as an F2c Served until 31 Mar 1941 – Discharged 5 Apr 1941 (4 years) 2nd enlistment 16 Dec 1941 30 Apr 1942 Rec USS Indiana BB-58 from NF Va For Duty Commissioning Served until Trans RS PH 23 Feb 1944 Rec 23 Mar 1944 – USS Arethusa IX-135 commissioning – Fueling Tanker Trans RS/SF 27 Nov 1944 Rec USS Macon CA-132 on 26 Aug 1945 1 Jan 1946 Trans to RS Phil For Discharge Rec USS Bausell DD-845 28 Feb 1946 1 Oct 1946 received on USS Oakland CL-95 Trans USS Sierra AD-18 20 Mar 1948 Still serving 20 Dec 1948 1954 in Cruse Book USS Bennington CVA-20 as Chief Boiler Technician Probably Retired 1957 for 20 years. This is part of a large group: Navy Good Conduct straight suspension “Leo Stanley Fronc 1944” American Defense Medal with fleet bar, A on ribbon - Atlantic Neutrality Patrol American Campaign Medal Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal WW2 Victory Medal WW2 Navy Occupation Medal bar Asia China Service Medal Extended National Defense Medal Possible Korean Campaign Medals Here is the back:

Sure looks like it.

I just acquired this little group of 3 Navy medals bar mounted. The medals are: Navy Good Conduct straight suspension named and dated "Leo Stanley Fronc 1944" China service Medal (Extended) WW2 Navy Occupation Medal with "Asia" bar. It looked like a small short serving Navy enlisted man's group. After some research, - Man enlisted in the Navy 4 Apr 1937 to 6 Apr 1941 (discharge). Served 1 Dec 1937 to 31 Mar 1941 on the USS Somers DD-381 in the Atlantic, 2 years on the "Neutrality Patrol", earned the "A" device for his American Defense ribbon, and the "Fleet" bar for the medal. This is all before Pearl Harbor. He next re enlists in the Navy on 16 Dec. 1941 (9 days after Pearl Harbor). It appears he served until about 1957 or so and retired as a Chief Boiler Technician (BTC). He earned all the WW2 medals except the Europe Africa Middle East Campaign Medal, also he possibly had Korea Service (needs more research). Here is the group: Cheers Captain Albert

Yes leather can last a long time if taken care of, I had an 1837 white leather "Tar bucket" New York Fensible Infantry helmet. the leather on the inside looked new. See photos. So the belt could be OK - but I am not an expert. The sword does not look that bad, but the sword knot is not original.

I have had this for awhile and would welcome comments and options on it. I was told it is a "Zimmermann" piece.

Nice to see National Guard soldiers recognized for their actions - don't see this too often. Captain Albert

Thanks Paul, I might be able to verify some of the "possibles" by requesting his records from the National Personnel Records Center. I'm pretty sure they will have his Navy Service, but since the 1973 fire - I am not sure of his Air Force Service. We will see, I will post if I find out more. George

Thanks Rogi. Yes this is a surprising little mixed service group. I had one before that was Navy/Army. I guess some guys were not real happy with "Sea Duty". Rank in the Navy was better than in the other services, so it had to be the time away from wives and family. I was in the Navy Reserve when I got married and the wife wanted me out because of "Steaming " weekends, so I got out. I missed a chance to steam on an Ocean Going Mine Sweeper (173' wood and brass ship) from Treasurer Island (San Francisco, CA) to Japan. It took them a month to make the trip, and then they were flown commercially back. It would have been a real experience, and I probably would of been a "Shell Back", with a certificate. Here is my ship the USS Gallant MSO-489. George

Not a lot going on, so I though I would list this latest find (trade). I got it in a selection of 11 WW2 medals (fillers for groups) and 3 WW2 three piece ribbon bars. The little group is in a frame With the (5) WW2 medals, Dog Tag, 2 photos of the USS Parker DD-604, a WW2 Silver pin, and a paper label that says “WW 2 1943-1946” see picture. I though this would be a simple short service WW2 Navy veteran. After doing some research this is what I have found out. Dog tag - John Patrick Mc Guire, 306-28-05, USNR T 4/43. He was a Seaman 1st Class (E-3) when discharges. From the Navy muster rolls he served all his time on the USS Parker DD-604 in the European Theater (3 campaign stars). Ship transferred to the Pacific just in time to earn the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and WW2 Navy Occupation Medal with "Asia" bar. This is not bad, for a start. More research: Retired as SSG US Air Force WW2, Korea, Vietnam US Navy 1943-1946 US Navy 1949-1954 US Air Force 1955-1967 I guess he could not make it on the outside. He died in Las Vegas, NV. - Where Nellis Air Force Base is. Possible awards: Possible Navy Good Conduct Medal (43-46, or 49-54) Possible Army Good Conduct Medal (Army prior to 1963, Air Force after 1963) American Campaign Medal Europe Africa Middle East Campaign Medal 3 stars Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal WW2 Victory Medal WW2 Navy Occupation Medal Asia Bar Possible China Service Extended National Defense Medal Possible Korea Service & UN Possible Vietnam Service and Campaign Medal Air Force Longevity ribbon Bold are documented or known awards Name: John McGuire Gender: Male Birth Date: 18 Dec 1925 - wrong Death Date: 10 Apr 2006 Branch 1: NAVY Enlistment Date 1: 20 Feb 1943 Release Date 1: 26 Jan 1946 Branch 2: NAVY Enlistment Date 2: 16 Feb 1949 Release Date 2: 30 Nov 1953 Branch 3: AF Enlistment Date 3: 24 Mar 1955 Release Date 3: 7 Nov 1967 Veterans birls this matches the date in the display case. Note: wrong birth date. This a pretty interesting little mixed service group. I guess he had frames for each period of service. USS Parker DD-604

Boy that's a score - congratulations.