army historian

Tim the Navy and Marine Corp regulations for mounting full sized medals is as follows:

No lover lap maxium of 3 medals per row.

Overlap maxium of 5 medals per row. A lot of people did not see fit to start a second row with one or two medals, because their old medal bar would have to be broken up and remounted. It cost about $15.00 a medal now. Here is a scan of a Retired Rear Admiral's medals mounted per regulations.

Here are some items from a US Army Brigadier General (California Army National Guard) Assistant Adujant General.

Here is US Vietnam period Helmet.

Here is a US WW1 Flying helmet and goggles.

Here is a WW2 US Navy Commander's Gray uniform visor cap and coat.

I will start with this WW2 US Army Tanker Uniform. Captain George Albert

Miguel, you mentioned that the Alfonso 12 medal may have been only used during the Carlos Wars. If that is so, what kind of medal would my Great Grandfather have received in 1891? As I said I never saw the medals. Thanks, respectfully Captain George Albert

Chris, the term "Buffalo Soldier" was what the Indians called all Black troops. It was because of their dark skin and wooly hair. Also the term was first applied to the 9th Cavalry Regiment, and later the 10th Cavalry and 24th Infantry Regiments. From about the Spanish American War to World War 2 the term was stilled used for Black troops of any unit. Today it has become a tradition. I really hate it when people try to re-write history like the "Buffalo Soldier" website by Wal-Mart. As I understand it a "Buffalo Soldier" is a African American period. Hope this helps. Also that is a great purple heart. I hope you send a SF-180 to the National Personnel records Center, and his records were not destroyed in the 1973 fire. Good Luck. Captain George Albert

I can't resist so I will speculate that BTN1 is really BTRY hence Service Battery - each FA Bn has one.

How about 2nd Battalion, 19th Field Artillery, Service Company, Battery 1.

Captain George Albert

Hi! Snoopy, Nice patch. Yes the others are right on - it is a WW2 Army Air Corp patch. Here's another a little older one. Captain Albert

It does have that look to it, it looks to me like something a waiter or porter would wear. The confusing thing is that it is named to a sailor that I know was at least a Pharmacists mate 1st class before becoming an officer, I think a LT (jg). Where does a jacket like this with ARMY buttons enter into that? So far, I haven't been able to turn up any military service of family members, but my research is still preliminary. There were a few other items in this group that dont quite fit, a WWI Army pouch and a framed photo of what appears to be an old fixed landing gear biplane. That photo is in a NAVY frame. I am hoping that by understanding this uniform, the rest might make a bit more sense.

Thanks,

Travis

Travis, that is a U.S. Army Model 1895 Officer's undress Summer White Uniform coat. It is correct with the shoulder straps. The buttons look correct. It seems in very nice shape. This photo shows a reenactor's copy. Not Correct no shoulder straps. The Navy also had a white summer service uniform that looks like this, but has no shoulder straps or buttons. Also the pants do not go with the white coat. They would wear white trousers with this coat. Also check the buttons (they are Army General service), worn upto 1902. Hope this helps. Coat worth more than $150.00.

It appears to me that you have enough information to write to the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. you can find information on how to do this by goggling SF-180. Standard form 180 is used to get information on past military personnel. Here is what I saw from the posts:

John Minaham, Lieutenant Colonel retired. Army Air Corp - Army Air Force, US Air Force. started service before 7 Dec. 1941 (American Defense Medal). Served in the Pacific during WW2, spent 3 years overseas in combat zone. Service #58283. SS# not known. Date of birth and death unknown. Deseased. By 1958 had at least 17 years service, but less than 20 years (Air Force Longeviety Ribbon), means started service somewhere between 1938 and 1941. The Genealogy information should be helpful. Hope this helps - I have submitted SF-180's for reseach, and gotten a lot of information. Respectfully Captain George Albert

My 2 cents: the Officers appear to be wearing pre-1902 Cap insignia (no cloud burst above the eagle). They look regulation. The young Officer is wearing a lot of marksmanship badges (no medals). A better scan would be helpful. Note: none of the Officers are wearing "Medals" so before 1905, and no society medals.

Medal of distinction of Alfonso XII goes from 190 to 90€€ depending on the use, ribbon, and bars...this pictured is item nr:16081415 at the same site

I hope that you can find something...

Regards

miguel

Thank you very much Miguel for your kind offer. The Spanish Military sent me zerox copies of his whole Military file. I spent alot of time translating, even had a friend's wife help. I received the information after my mother had died (she spoke and could read Castillian Spainish). I can only speak Spanish if I am really drunk? I guess it is in my brain somewhere, just can't normally find it. But again Thanks for the offer and the help. Respectfully Gearge Albert

Captain:A most interesting historial account and it was nice to read about my old hometown. My father was sent to Eureka with the 107th Horse Cav. reg. in 1942, I believe that date is correct. He was a Finn from Michigan and the family stayed in that area untill 1959. Regard, Oiva

Thanks for the reply, Oiva. Yes I have seen pictures of the 107th Cav. on the beach (Samoa) with what looked like M2-A2's or M3 Stewart tanks in 1942. They were the first unit sent here in WW2. Good Luck. Captain Albert

The uniform is not really a uniform, but rather a traditional Hungarian "Attila-type" costume that was worn at special occasions like a tuxedo.

Greetings

Péter

Thanks Péter

His whole bar consists of:

Large Silver Bravery Medal (Horthy)

Small Silver Bravery Medal (Horthy)

Fire Cross with swords "1942"

Fire Cross without swords

Transylvanian Campaign (1940)

Yugoslavia Campaign (1941)

German 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class

German East Front Medal

Royal Canadian Life Saving Society Silver Benefactor Medal

Royal Canadian Life Saving Society Bronze Benefactor Medal

Royal Canadian National Lifeguard Service Silver Jubilee Medal

Royal Canadian Life Saving Society (Alberta Branch) Diamond Jubilee Medal

He was awarded the Vite'z for WW2. I did not get all his medals, The Order of Vite'z, the Hungarian Large Silver Bravery Medal, the Fire Crosses, and the Yugoslavia Campaign, are missing. I am trying to locate these and buy. I got the other medals and a miniture chain with: Order Vite'z, 1957 Iron Cross 2nd, East Front Medal, and the Canadian Medals. He could not get the Hungarian minitures in Canada in the 1980's. I also got the award documents for the Canadian Medals. If you know of anyone who wants to sell any of the "Missing" medals, let me know. Thanks.

On his horse.

Here is an 1898 photo of Trooper Bailey.

This photograph is of private Charles Z. Bailey. This is a Great group of Spanish American War through World War One medals, photo album, and other photos from the estate of Charles Z. Bailey. Charles Bailey was a famous photographer both for the Army and in civilian life. He took many photos of Army life, The Great White Fleets visit to San Francisco, Balboa Park in San Diego, Yosemite, Catalina Island, and Sequoia National Park. He served in the 1st Texas Cavalry during the Spanish American War and around 1900 moved to California and transferred to A Company 1st California National Guard (Cavalry) as a bugler. A Company (Troop) was stationed in San Francisco from 1895 to 1905 and then Bakersfield from 1905 to 1917. He joined B Company, 7^th California Infantry Regiment about 1910 as a bugler. He was in the National Army during WW1 as a Signal Corp Sereant, photographer. Release in 1919 from the the service. He continued his photography business until his death around (1954).

The group includes his personal photo album which chronicles his life from age 3 until 1939. A fantastic group of photos showing his early life, Army service as a Trumpeter in the Texas Cavalry, Spanish American War era, early turn of the century Army life, and the WW1 time period. Separate from the album is a great 8X6 matted photo portrait of him wearing a campaign hat and his two Federal shooting awards in WW1.

There are other photos in the grouping consisting of several group photos of different units, nurses, medical officers, and assorted army life. These don’t have him in the photos, but are work he evidently did for the Army.

Medals and Awards:

Spanish American War Service Medal (current replacement - entitled to - He did not apply for)

World War 1 Victory Medal – no bar (Verified)

Spanish American War Veterans medal with miniture

Military Order of the Serpent medal

1938 Los Angeles National Convention of the American Legion medal

1940 American Legion medal with name tag

Federal 1902 National Guard Expert Rifleman badge with 1912 bar

Federal 1902 Silver Regular Army Marksman “A” badge

Federal 1902 National Guard Marksman bar

First California Cavalry, CNG Badge with 1901 & 1902 bars (medal planchet has #13)

Type 3 California National Guard Shooting badge with Distinguished Marksman 1910, and Expert Rifleman 1911 bars

Name tag for Troop I 1st Texas Cavalry

NRA Life Member badge

M1902 Dress Blue Hat Band Infantry

Charles Z. Bailey was born 29 Jul 1873 in Hudson, WI. Mother’s maiden name was Page. He died 30 Jul 1954 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 81. It appears he had some musical training as there is a photo of him in a fife and drum corp. as a child. In 1895 at the age of 22 he had his own business as a photographer in Ellsworth Wisconsin.

Bailey traveled 2,000 miles from Hudson, Wis. to San Antonio, Texas to join the First U. S. Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders). It appears he was not selected, so instead he joined the First Regiment, Texas Volunteer Cavalry (United States Volunteers), as a bugler.

Charles Z. Bailey was 44 when he enlisted in the army in 1917.Charles was promoted to Sergeant of Signals. He is also shown in a photograph wearing 3 discharge (service) stripes. 25 Jan 2007 contacted the California Archives, I asked them to check on Charles Z. Bailey - A Company California Cavalry (1^st) and B Company, 7^th Infantry with dates. They have 4 pages on Bailey all for B Company, 7^th Inf. I checked with the National Personnel Records Center, They had very little on Bailey. They verified his WW1 Service and WW1 Victory Medal, But they did not have a rank on him.

I will post other photos from this group.

I have a group of medals to this Hungarian ( later Sergeant-Major). I have no idea what he is warning. Any help woud be appreciated.

The US Army has it in yellow on an OD type background.

Can you post a photo? Is there a name in the uniform. My uncle was a motor machinist mate 2nd and wore the amph. patch. George

Hello George,

Thanks for your reply. I had always heard of the spitting but never knew if it was myth or truth.

One story of Jerry that I sort of remember was with my grandparents(My Papas) which was Christmas around 1980(I was around Eight). I was with my older brother and my mom(Jerry's older sister) when the doorbell rang. It was Jerry who was unclean with long hair with his front teeth missing(Jerry had not been seen in years). My mom said that he had lost his teeth in a bar fight. I remember my grandmother saying that my mother should take us to the mall. We(me, my brother ,mom & Jerry) went to the mall and I remember my mom saying she had never been so embarrased in her life. Jerry would remarry & try to get his life together, but he died of heart failure in 1984.

Jerry got TB on the streets and I remember having to go to the hospital to get a TB shot/check. The last photo of Jerry that I didn't post was just before Jerry died. He was 36 and wearing a vietnam t-shirt.

thanks,

barry

Barry, the spitting and insults really did happened at least at SF International. A story about that evening at SFO. One of the more aggressive "Freaks" who was spitting, hit a Marine (from the Marine's rack - he saw a lot of combat). The Marine beat the "S---" out of the freak. The rest of us servicemen, including my dad made sure no one interferred. The police showed up, the freak was shouting and unruly. The police arrested the freak and hualed him away, to a standing ovation! At least from the servicemen and a few older veterans around. It was the only positive thing I remember from that time. Like I said "Some made it back, and some didn't" I did not mean only the KIA's. There were and still are, what I call the walking dead. Respectfully George Albert

Crown over crossed rifles worn lower right arm would be sergeants of best shooting company in infantry regiments & the best shot in each regiment, Musketry Regs 1869.

Clothing Regs 1881 show it as (amongst other corps)for each sergeant of best shooting troop of a cavalry regiment or the cavalry depot. The badge was awarded in recognition of the sergeants role in directing & maintaining discipline in fire.

As a Sergeant Instructor of Musketry's badge it would be worn on the upper right arm, above the four chevrons.

Wow, you have access to the reg's that's great. Oh, by the way can you tell us what his 4 chevorns equates to?

I am going to put my 2 cents in, even though I am not an expert in this field. The ribbon he is wearing is definately the 2nd Afghan Campaign (1878-1880). You said he was born in 1861, so this is possible. There were 4 Hussar Regiments that took part in the 2nd Afghan War:

8th King's Royal Irish Hussars

10th Prince of Wales Own

13th Hussars

15th The kings Hussars

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Lace on pillbox caps (who had) only older Regimentsbefore 1861.

So drop the 15th Hussars

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Regiments that worn arm badges:

7th - none

8th - Irish harp

10th - three feathers (Prince of wales)

13th - none

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So drop the 7th, and 13th

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This leaves the:

8th King's Royal Irish Hussars

10th Prince of Wales Own

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You said upper badge on shoulder (under glass) "looks more like Irish harp" (than three feathers)

I believe he was in the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars.

Also his rank seems to be some form of "Top" Sergeant (Squadron or Regimental). He is also wearing (lowest badge on arm) A Drill Instructor's insignia or Instructor of Marksmanship (Crown over Crossed Rifles). I think if I remember correctly "Instructor of Marksmanship" had about the highest enlisted rank possible.

I hope this helps, Captain George Albert

Hi hunyadi - I am looking for an Vitezi Rend - Order of the Knight. "Order of Vitez", a Large Silver Bravery Medal (Horthy), a 1942 Fire Cross with swords, 1943 Fire Cross without swords, and Yugoslavia Campaign medal (yellow/blue ribbon). I have the rest of his man's medals, a photo and some paperwork. Any help would be appreciated. If you are willing to sell sent me price list with postage. Thanks George