army historian

Irisgunner - I am not sure what the New Hampshire WW1 book is. I did find Soldiers of the Great War *3 volumes). Also thanks for the heads up on the New Hampshire WW1 medal. I will let you know what I find. George

This is a pre-WW2 navy chief petty officer's cap badge., I believe these types were worn in the late 1920's and 1930's before being replaced with the "chain" type (WW2). Will need some cleaning, but was cheap. George

Thanks Paul, yes they are nice - but expensive, This will be one of the last for a while, except a 1921 - 2 bar, already brought. George

Thanks Irishgunner - Yes I know about the Constellation (neat ship). George

Thanks, he was on the Hull about (commissioning 1903) to some time before 1908. So I am not sure yet - I have not ordered his records from the US National Archives yet, Cost $70.00. Yes he was entitle to the World War 1 Victory Medal (No bar). I like the bar to the USS Constellation (ship of 1854) still around and on display today. George

I probably paid way too much for this medal (but I always wanted an early NGC). This 1903 NGC with two bar to John Francis Flynn CMAA (1866-1917).

Medal engraved "C.S.C. / No.12161 / JOHN / F. FLYNN / U.S.S. / HULL / SEPT. 11-1903." With bars CONSTELLATION (pinback with open catch type from 1908) and SALEM (snap back hinged type from 1912). Had to enlist no later than Sept. 1899 (possibly earlier - was 32 in 1899). born Sept 1866.

The U.S.S. Hull was DD-7, a Bainbridge Class destroyer commissioned in May of 1903. Flynn was almost certainly a plank owner as part of the original crew. "The "Constellation," is an 1854 sail sloop of war (last built), was at the time Flynn was aboard, a training ship at Newport, Rhode Island. The "Salem," CL-3, was a scout cruiser from 1908 until 1921.

I know of 4 ships he served on:

1900 USS Sylph, US Naval Forces, Military and Naval Forces (this was a Presidential yacht from the late 19th century through to the early 1920s PY-5.

1903 USS Hull (DD-7)

c. 1908 USS Constellation Sail Sloop (Training Ship)

1910 USS Salem (CL-3), Scout Cruiser No. 3 - commissioned 1 August 1908.

Died 28 Nov. 1917 (WW1) in Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire as Chief Master at Arms. Last enlistment date 13 Jan. 1916. Age at death 51. Died on duty - but at home.

Here is the group now - saved original NGC ribbon (not repairable - so replaced with close match). The flash from the camera shows the water color paint on the ribbon of the New Jersey medal - but very passable (without flash). George

I understand that the 16" guns later had rocket assisted shells with a range of 75 miles. I can't image the mathematics needed to hit anything, with time in flight and earth rotation etc.

Well thanks for the lesson on caliber and length. I only fired the 90 mm recoilless rifle, that was enough for me.

Does anyone know or have an option on this short sleeve bush jacket? Thanks

IrishGunner since you like artillery here is a picture I have. George

I'm not positive, but I think 1st Class gunner, since he has no chevrons.

A little hard to date the enlisted man is wearing the US Army model 1902 Dress Blues without the chest cords (undress).This uniform with some modifiIons was worn (1902-1937). I can not tell if he is wearing the colored cap band. You can not see it in the picture but the uniform is piped in red, as the shell insignia. Since there is no stripoe on the leg I think he is a private. The Artillery badge is a "Field Artillery" Expert badge (These are very rare). Here is an M1902 enlisted Cavalry uniform from my collection (shows the piping, cords and chevrons and a service stripe for war). George

These common US medals are not being faked. The LI - Lordship Industries is just poor quality (I have seen National Defense Medals like it). The Volupte was the first issues of the AFEM's in 1963. George

Unfortunately, there are still others missing from the list...I earned mine in 2009, for example, and its not on there at all... I doubt a comprehensive list will ever exist, sadly...

I was not aware of this - thanks for the infromation. What did you get your NEM for in 2009? Thanks

There's a pretty comprehensive list online on the wiki page about the actions that were awarded the AFEM:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_Expeditionary_Medal

There are a ton of actions that could result in the Navy Expeditionary...I have yet to find a comprehensive list.

Slightly off topic, I found this interesting .pdf while searching around about combat insignias: http://afehri.maxwell.af.mil/Documents/pdf/HISTORY%20OF%20COMBAT%20SERVICE%20INSIGNIAS.pdf

As an side, I was also awarded both of these medals.

Dave

The best site for the Navy Expeditionary Medal is: http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/nem.htm altho it seems to be missing campaigns after Wake. The rest are from another site:

• Thailand: May 16 - August 10, 1962
• Cuba: January 3, 1961 - October 23, 1962
• Iran, Yemen, & Indian Ocean: December 8, 1978 - June 6, 1979
• Iran, Yemen, & Indian Ocean: November 21, 1979 - October 1, 1981
• Lebanon: August 20, 1982 - May 31, 1983
• Lebanon: June 1, 1983 to March 4, 1984*
• Libya: January 20 - June 27, 1986
• Persian Gulf: February 1 - July 23, 1987
• Monrovia, Liberia (Sharp Edge): August 5, 1990 - February 21, 1991
• Rwanda (Distant Runner): April 7-18, 1994
• USS Cole Operations (Determined Response): October 12 2000 to December 15, 2002

* For service in Lebanon between June 1, 1983 and March 4, 1984, the service member may choose either the Navy Expeditionary Medal (or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, depending on Service component) or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Thanks - yes he got about every thing, short of extoics (Antartica, Navy or Armed Forces Expeditionary medals). Geeorge

Thank you both - yes I really like the 4 extra award bars on the NGC and double row mounting. The photo from the National Personnel Records center was a big plus . He served on the USS Nemasket AOG-10 (gasoline carrier) in Korea (real bad duty) Rogi. George

This group of 11 mounted medals belonged to CBM Stephen Bernard Bielik:

212-53-30

Served 6 Nov 1939 to 1 Dec 1959

USS Arkansas BB-33; USS Ranger CV-4 (Atlantic Patrol, and North Africa Campaign);

USS Samuel Chase APA-26; LCT (5) 9^th Flotilla (Sicily, and Italy Campaigns), USS Penetrate AM-271 (Asiatic Pacific);USS Toledo CA-133; USS Nemasket AOG-10 (Korea) was

was also a Naval Recruiter

Awards and Medals:

Navy Good Conduct Medal named “Stephen Bernard Bielik 1942” with 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th award bars.

American Defense Medal with Fleet bar “A” on ribbon CV-4

American Campaign Medal CV-4

Europe Africa, Middle East Campaign Medal with 4 br. Stars

Asiatic Pacific Campaign (no Stars) AM-271 - Alaska

WW 2 Victory Medal All

WW2 Navy Occupation Medal with bar “Asia” CA-133

China Service Medal Extended

National Defense Medal (Korean period)

Korean War Service Medal with 3 br. stars (USS Nemasket AOG-10)

UN Korean Service

Enlisted 6 Nov. 1939 at Springfield, Mass. As A.S.

31 Jan 1940 Transferred to R/S Phil.

29 Feb. 1940 Transferred to USS Wyoming Passenger

31 May 1940 Received on USS Ranger CV-4 from USS Arkansas

31 Jul. 1942 promoted to BM2

13 Feb. 1943 Transferred to USS Samuel Chase temp duty

15 Feb. 1943 Received R/S NORVA (Norfolk, VA)

Mar. 1943 Transferred from Samuel Chase to Oran duty manning port

31 Jul 1943 Transferred to LCT (5) Flotilla 9

31 Aug 1943 Transferred to AATB – Bizerte Tunisia (AATB -- Advanced Amphibious Training Base

31 Mar 1945 Received 5 Feb. 1945 on USS Penetrate AM-271

14 Apr. 1945 to Dispensary Kodiak Alaska

30 Apr 1945 returned to AM-271

21 May 1945 Decom AM-271

27 Oct 1946 received USS Toledo CA-133 Comm. (Plank Owner)

Served on Toledo Dec 1946 to 13 June 1948

13 June 1948 transferred from Yokosuka Japan to San Diego, CA for training in recruitment.

End Musters

Appears to have been in Operation Torch (North Africa – CV-4) and Operation Husky (Sicily campaign LCT (5) Flotilla 9), so far; two Campaign Stars on EAME Medal, He was at Anzio also and appears to be wearing 4 stars.

Name:

Stephen B Bielik

Certificate:

014261

Death Place:

Webster

Death Date:

7 Jan 1990

Birth Place:

Massachusetts

Birth Date:

5 Jul 1917

Mass deaths

Yes really cool group appears to be Vietnam and Cuban Missile crisis.

Yes very nice - named group. George

Thanks Muckaroom, you are correct if I could no do the research and history building, I would not collect. George

Thank Rogi, I apprerciate it. It is still one of my favorites after the top drawer groups. George

Sorry that was too long ago, no photos, etc. Name was Arie Van Biljouw, Lcpl. #783304, and #13809292. Pre-WW2 French Foriegn Legion, British Army in North Africa (Interpreter), and Free Dutch Army - Princess Irene Brigade. This was in the early 1970's. Captain Albert

Well here is some info from his records at the national Archives:

(Served (24 Sep. 1910 to 19 Oct. 1930; Recalled 13 Sep. 1939 to 1 Nov. 1939)

He died 10 May 1942 of Asthma at the US Naval Station Balboa, Canal Zone, he was living at the Navy Submarine Base Coco Solo, Canal Zone from 8 Dec. 1941 to the time of his death.

Medals and Awards:

1. Navy Good Conduct Medal Straight Suspension named “James, Mc R. Lane, Nav. Hosp, Las Animas, Colo., Aug. 11 1914” - with 4 pin bars:

• “USS Bridgeport” - back - “CSC 37439 - 19 Jul. 1919”
• “US Nav. Sta. Key West, Florida” - back – “CSC 37439 - 25 Jul. 1922”
• “Receiving Ship New York” - back - “CSC 37439 – 25 Jul. 1926”
• Dated bar “1930” - back - James Mc. R. Lane
  1. Navy Mexican Campaign (1911-1917) # 6478
  2. World War 1 Victory Medal, bar “Mobile Base”
  3. 2^nd Nicaraguan Campaign # 4481
  4. American Defense Medal