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    army historian

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    Everything posted by army historian

    1. Michael you can order his records from the National Personnel Center - using an SF-180 (find online). SF = Standard Form. It has all the information you will need, but you have to have some information on him: Social security number, date of birth and death is about minimum. Captain Albert standard-form-180.pdf
    2. First remark Their are very many "Smart" listing. The best fit I found - Cruise Book. Name: Spcm W D Smart Ship Name: USS Constellation Ship Classification: CVA-64 Year Range: 1967 SPCM - Master Chief Steam Propulsionman (1947-1967) very possible, has a Navy Good Conduct Medal, and 6 other ribbons. Possible: NGC, China Service, WW2 Occupation, National Defense, Korea Service, [Armed Forces Expeditionary (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service], UN Korean Medal. 5 Medal Bars were very typical. I hope this helps. Captain Albert
    3. I once researched a "Korean War" Veteran, who served only in Japan. His DD-214 listed both the US Korea Service Medal and the UN Korean Service Medal. So it is possible. Many units in Japan qualified. Captain Albert
    4. Thanks guys, I know the man and a little of his service - tried to contact him - but no answer. I do have 2 pictures of him, one a verified 1967 cruise book photo on the Hancock. I manged to pick up 2 privately named medals to him thus my interest. George
    5. I'm working on a Vietnam period Navy medal group. I have a question on the normal length of a Vietnam period deployment. He served 1966-1970 and in 1967 was an Apprentice Sailor Gunner's field. He was on the USS Hancock. Thanks George
    6. Would love to see the Navy uniform. Captain Albert
    7. That pattern was used after WW1 (darken type), say 1921 on. George
    8. Yes Hugh and Igor the Blimps were very effective. They were under orders not to engage submarines on the surface, because they were such good large targets. One did and was shot down. Very nervy pilot. These people never got any Air Medals for some reason, a shame. George
    9. Very interesting - I did not know that thanks. I wonder if the conditions had improved by 1914. George
    10. Very interesting - I didn't know that. French Intervention? Do you mean Maximilian? thanks George
    11. I am not sure if I ever posted this. But here goes. Complete group with paperwork (original DD-214) ID, and lots of photos to LTCDM Franis Lewis Bailey Jr. Lieutenant Commander. Francis Lewis Bailey, Jr, US Navy Lighter Than Air (LTA) Blimp Pilot USS Helena (Pearl Harbor survivor) 95386 Served (1940-1946). Naval Reserves (1946-1959) 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 was an Able bodied Seaman (AS), 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 take 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. My father was NOT on board when the Helena went down (7 July 1943), 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 After basic air training of 18 weeks, my father was assigned (much to his chagrin) to the Lighter-Than-Air Unit at Lakehurst, New Jersey ZP-12. 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 (ZP-42) 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. 10 Feb.1946 Report of Separation lists Service as 7 years 0 months and 17 days. Rank: Lieutenant Commander. During WW2 1,400 LTA pilots were trained for service and 3,000 crew men. So LTA groups are on the rarer side. It appears Bailey served 10 years in the Naval Reserve after 1946-1959 - for the Navy Reserve Medal.
    12. Paul, I did just that (reversed the Humanitarian Service medal) and caught some flak from a Col. who is a Member on this site. But that's OK, I still like it reversed. George
    13. I should have mentioned that only 2,300 Sailors and Marines actually landed in Vera Cruz. All the rest of the medals awarded were to those who were serving on the various ships.
    14. Very nice pick up Paul, I didn't know about the change in the medal. Cheers George
    15. Already got some informatioin, note: he was a radioman 1st Class in WW2, my mistake. Thanks Rogi. George
    16. Thanks Paul C - since he was out by 1945 St. Louis may not have his file, most likely National Archives ($70.00) request. But I will try - thanks George
    17. Very Nice near complete medal group to RM2c Harold Carlton Lord (11 Feb 1895 to 2 Jul 1972). Naval Service appears to be (1913-1919 possible break in 1917, and 1942-1945). He appears to be one of the US Naval Landing Party in Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1914. I got this group from a collector in Wyoming - he said it came from a flea market in eastern Pennsylvania. Although their is no Navy Good Conduct (which is very common) the two Navy photo Identification badges are a real plus (photo ID'd groups are very hard to find, especially this early). The pilot badge may have something to do with him being a river pilot. I have just started the research, I know that he volunteered to serve in WW2 (with a V6 USNR appointment, he appears to have been servicing the Reserve (as indicated by the early Naval Reserve Medal (10 year service medal). He was a Radioman Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5) on the USS Skirmish AM-303 a Minesweeper (not the best duty - very dangerous work - with little recognition. Since the only missing medals are the Naval Reserve, and 3 WW2 unnamed medals, I will fill out the group.
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