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    army historian

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    Posts posted by army historian

      Non assuming Navy 5 medal bar with surprises

      in United States of America

      Posted

      New find Navy 5 medal mounted bar:

      Navy Good Conduct bar suspension named “John J. Fitzpatrick 1945” with 3 stars (15 years – 42 to 45 only 3 years)

      American Campaign Medal

      Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal

      Navy WW2 Occupation Medal (missing bar Asia)

      China Service Medal (extended)

      A lose: WW2 Victory Medal

      Note from seller: "The family of a deceased long time Navy Man sold a seabag full of items to an Antique Dealer. Before I got to them he had split it all up and only had this 5 place rack with the separate Victory Medal. (He had them priced very high or they would probably have been gone also). There is an old style named Navy Good Conduct Medal (with straight bar above medal it was discontinued after WWII) with small 3 bronze star devices and engraved on the reverse "John J. Fitzpatrick 1945", also a Navy China Service, a Navy Occupation Service and a Asiatic Pacific Campaign, and a American Campaign. The Victory Medal is by itself."

      "With 1945 engraved it would be his first award based upon a 1942 enlistment, 3 stars indicate award in 1948, 1951, and 1954. If he really was a 20 + year sailor, then that would mean he served not only in WWII but during the Korean War as well as early Vietnam. I wish I had more info on him but the antique dealer did not get any history except he was in about 20 years, so this will be a good research project for you."

      My research: John J. Fitzpatrick – no American Defense in service after 7 Dec. 1941. He has 3 stars on Good Conduct – at least 20 year career. His middle name was James. Group came from Ocala, Florida – where this man died.

      One candidate:

      Enlisted 7 Sept. 1942 to 23 Aug. 1962

      Veteran Admin Burial Index:

      Name: John Fitzpatrick

      Gender: Male

      Birth Date: 22 Jun 1924

      Death Date: 9 Jan 1982

      SSN: 145122691

      Branch 1: NAVY

      Enlistment Date 1: 7 Sep 1942

      Release Date 1: 23 Aug 1962

      This is the best and only one that fits. From Musters name is John James Fitzpatrick, 225 06 26.

      Florida death index:

      Name: John James Fitzpatrick

      Death Date: 9 Jan 1982

      County of Death: Alachua

      State of Death: Florida

      Age at Death: 57

      Race: White

      Birth Date: 22 Jun 1924

      Social security Death Index:

      Name: John Fitzpatrick

      SSN: 145-12-2691

      Born: 22 Jun 1924

      Last Benefit: 32675 Ocala, Marion, Florida, United States of America

      Died: Jan 1982

      State (Year) SSN issued: New Jersey (Before 1951)

      Enlistment date matches Navy Musters below:

      Report of Change USS St. Louis CL-49 – 30 Nov 1942

      Name Service # Rate Date of Enl Place of Enl

      Fitzpatrick, John James 225 06 26 AS 30 Nov 1942 New York, NY

      21. USN Rec 11-5-42 Rec. from USNTS Great Lakes, Ill.

      Navy Muster Roll of crew of USS St. Louis CL-49 – 31 Dec 1942 Date First

      Name Service # Rate Date of Enlistment Received Onboard

      Fitzpatrick, John James 225 06 26 AS 7 Sep 1942 11-5-1942

      First entry “Date of Enl” incorrect in bold.

      Served on the USS St. Louis CL-49 from Nov. 1942 to Apr. 1946. He earned 9 Campaign Stars on his Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Navy Unit Citation (St. Louis). This also verifies the other medals in the group. Served on the USS Yancey AKA-93 as RM2 Oct. 1946 to 21 Jan 1947 – transferred to USS Mount Olympus AGC-8 21 Jan. 1947 to 14 Apr 1947. Then returns to Yancey and later to USS Edisto AG-89 (Ice Breaker). All three ships Served in Operation Highjump the Navy Antarctic mission organized by RADM Richard E. Byrd Jr. USN, (Ret), Officer in Charge, Task Force 68, and led by RADM Richard H. Cruzen, USN, Commanding Officer, Task Force 68. Operation Highjump commenced 26 August 1946 and ended in late February 1947. Task Force 68 included 4,700 men, 13 ships, and multiple aircraft. The primary mission of Operation Highjump was to establish the Antarctic research base Little America IV. The Antarctica Service Medal was established in 1960, ribbon authorized 1961, and the medal was awarded in 1963. Fitzpatrick was entitled to the Antarctica Service Medal, National Defense with star, and the Philippine Liberation Medal with star. I need more research for other possible entitlements such as Korea and Vietnam.

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      Latest find - Military Honor Cross 1st Class

      in Germany: Imperial: The Orders, Decorations and Medals of The Imperial German States

      Posted · Edited by army historian

      To make a long story short - Silver Prussian Military Honor Cross 1st Class - salvaged from bombed out C.E. Zimmermann factory in 1990's. It was advertised as a Prussian General honor Cross 1st Class. Thats the story. But it was cheap. Some information from Sascha Wöschler (Medalnet): "Not a Prussian General Honor Cross 1st class, it is a Prussian "Militärverdienstkreuz" (Military Merit Cross - if meant to be gilt) or the "Militär-Ehrenzeichen I. Klasse" (Military Honor Decoration 1st class - if silver/silvered). This is probably a private purchase (wearing copy) – not an issued piece". This is still a great buy. Please Any Comments?

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      WHAT IS YOUR FAVORATE MILITARY BASED POEM

      in Great Britain: Research, Documentation & History

      Posted · Edited by army historian

      After "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and a few others about old heroes, I like this one inspired by ladies placing flowers on graves of both the soldiers union and confederates on memorial day.

      The Blue And The Gray

      Francis Miles Finch (1827-1907)

      By the flow of the inland river,

      Whence the fleets of iron have fled,

      Where the blades of the grave-grass quiver,

      Asleep are the ranks of the dead:

      Under the sod and the dew,

      Waiting the judgment-day;

      Under the one, the Blue,

      Under the other, the Gray

      These in the robings of glory,

      Those in the gloom of defeat,

      All with the battle-blood gory,

      In the dusk of eternity meet:

      Under the sod and the dew,

      Waiting the judgement-day

      Under the laurel, the Blue,

      Under the willow, the Gray.

      From the silence of sorrowful hours

      The desolate mourners go,

      Lovingly laden with flowers

      Alike for the friend and the foe;

      Under the sod and the dew,

      Waiting the judgement-day;

      Under the roses, the Blue,

      Under the lilies, the Gray.

      So with an equal splendor,

      The morning sun-rays fall,

      With a touch impartially tender,

      On the blossoms blooming for all:

      Under the sod and the dew,

      Waiting the judgment-day;

      Broidered with gold, the Blue,

      Mellowed with gold, the Gray.

      So, when the summer calleth,

      On forest and field of grain,

      With an equal murmur falleth

      The cooling drip of the rain:

      Under the sod and the dew,

      Waiting the judgment -day,

      Wet with the rain, the Blue

      Wet with the rain, the Gray.

      Sadly, but not with upbraiding,

      The generous deed was done,

      In the storm of the years that are fading

      No braver battle was won:

      Under the sod adn the dew,

      Waiting the judgment-day;

      Under the blossoms, the Blue,

      Under the garlands, the Gray

      No more shall the war cry sever,

      Or the winding rivers be red;

      They banish our anger forever

      When they laurel the graves of our dead!

      Under the sod and the dew,

      Waiting the judgment-day,

      Love and tears for the Blue,

      Tears and love for the Gray.

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      Update on US Navy 4 medal documented bar

      in United States of America

      Posted

      Paul, I did both. I do belong to Ancestry.com - They have the Navy Musters 1939-1949, and the Veterans Admin. Burial data, both are very helpful, along with census, SS deaths, etc. The obituary and extra photos were from a memorial site (cemetery) on the internet. That surprised me. Been lucky with this one. Here is an older picture of Jesse. Cheers George

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      Update on US Navy 4 medal documented bar

      in United States of America

      Posted

      Hello Paul, I had already gotten the upper "named" bar (see posting below this). Named and documented 4 medal navy GC bar. I don't know why, but many many Navy and Air Force types wear the full sized Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Civil Actions 1st when they are really "Unit Citations", probably because they don't wear the ribbons for these when the medals are worn. Also individual awards of these are rare in the Navy and Air Force, not so for the Army and Marines. Yes it is a nice now complete group. I have found an obituary and more photos. Will post. He was a 30 year man 1949-1979. Here are a couple. George

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      Colonial Medal Clasp - Good or Bad?

      in Germany: Imperial: The Orders, Decorations and Medals of The Imperial German States

      Posted

      Thanks Karsten, That is helpful and something to think about. I only assumed the bar was civilian because of the General Honor Medal (AEZ). So I stand corrected, and that makes the bar even more interesting. You are probably correct that Admin types did not get the Centennial Medal (I am not sure though). Can you give me more information on the 1894/95 Togo expedition, I know almost nothing about it (also can not find much information). Would like to know how many whites were in it, for example. Cheers George

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      Colonial Medal Clasp - Good or Bad?

      in Germany: Imperial: The Orders, Decorations and Medals of The Imperial German States

      Posted

      Thank you Karsten, From my limited research, I know the Portuguese were in Togo before the Germans. Also I think this is a Colonial Administration Type person (not Military). The threads on the back of the bar are Tan (Khaki) color. He may have served in East Africa or DSWA at some time after (who knows). I don't think he can be research - but I am not an expert in that field, wish I were. Maybe someone like Rick Research could do it. The later clasp does not bother me - original could have been lost - or he did not buy one earlier. The bars were not "issued", the recipient had to buy his clasp. Thanks George

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      Documented 4 Medal US Navy Good Conduct mounted group

      in United States of America

      Posted · Edited by army historian

      Recent pick up US Naval mounted group of 4 to Afro American "Jesse Croxton Jr. 1953" Chief Quarter Master and Small Craft Commander. The group is: Navy good Conduct Medal named and dated "Jesse Croxton Jr. 1953" bar suspension w/ 2 br. Stars; Navy China Service Medal (Extended) - mounted backwards; National Defense Medal w/Br. Star; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. I have already found a photo of the man in uniform (1972-73) cruise book. He is also entitled to: Combat Action ribbon; Navy Efficiency ribbon with 2 E's; His Good Conduct has 1 silver and at least 2 br. Stars; Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 br. stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/1960 device. He is also wearing the Small Craft Commander's badge. Born 13 February 1931 died 1 December 2010 in Maryland. This is a nice clean group to a 30 year man (served 1950 to 1980).

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      Named Navy Good Conduct group with Yangtze numbered

      in United States of America

      Posted · Edited by army historian

      A little more information: he is definitely the man that served on the USS Henley at Pearl Harbor 7 Dec. 1941. Man id’ with his re enlistment dates: EM2/EM1/CEM “William Lee Davis 1931” Service #336-57-74 (FrankEaton01 – USMILITARIA Forum). “William Lee Davis 1931” Service #336-57-74 is “William Lee Davis” SSN: 556-54-2293 born 22 October 1909 (Died 8 Dec 2001 Mesa, Arizona) and that Lieutenant William Lee Davis with temporary appointment on 1 July 1944, officer's service number 113111, with permanent rank as Warrant Electrician as of 2 July 1941, and born on 22 October 1909” (Tom Nier, USMILITARIA Forum from his 1944 Naval Officers book) are all the same person. Note: “William Lee Davis” SSN: 556-54-2293 born 22 October 1909 (Died 8 Dec 2001 Mesa, Arizona) has a Naval Officer's Cap Insignia on his tombstone. As time allows I will write the NPRC for his service information. I also found in the Navy Muster Rolls at Ancestry . com an entry for CEM “William Lee Davis” Service #336-57-74 being appointed Warrant Officer as of 2 July 1941, and then he disappears from the Musters rolls after Dec. 1941. George

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