Hauptmann

Naval Reserve Meritorious Service medal: [attachmentid=52053] [attachmentid=52054]

Naval Reserve medal (1938-1958): [attachmentid=52051] [attachmentid=52052] I always rather preferred this one with the eagle.

Army Reserve Components Achievement medal: [attachmentid=52048] [attachmentid=52049] This one is a boxed example.

Army Achievement medal: [attachmentid=52046] [attachmentid=52047] Another cased set I've had forever and a day. Loved the obverse design on this one.

Air Force Commendation medal: [attachmentid=52044] [attachmentid=52045] This one is another cased example. It's also my latest addition to my U.S. collection. It's in the smaller sized case.

Purple Heart: [attachmentid=52042] [attachmentid=52043] Again another extremely and generally very hard earned award. This is another cased set I have in the older style case.

Navy and Marine Corps medal: [attachmentid=52040] [attachmentid=52041]

The Legion of Merit Legionaire: [attachmentid=52036] [attachmentid=52037] [attachmentid=52038] [attachmentid=52039] This is one of the few cased sets I have including the ribbon and the small device for wear in civilian attire.

The Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit: [attachmentid=52034] [attachmentid=52035] In my opinion, this series, and especially the Chief Commander and the Commander are by far some of the most beautiful awards the United States produces.

Navy Distinguished Service medal: [attachmentid=52031] [attachmentid=52032] A beautiful medal with a unique design among U.S. awards.

The Navy Cross: [attachmentid=52029] [attachmentid=52030] A simple but beautiful medal that truly represents great sacrifice and courage.

Medal For Humane Action (Berlin Airlift): [attachmentid=52027] [attachmentid=52028] I saw a movie when I was younger... the title escapes me. But it seemed to revolve around the Berlin Airlift and it made a great impression on me... seeing how the pilots and crews would drop candy and supplies to the people in the city, especially the children. And the enormous risk they took on each flight with several crashes. Another simply designed medal which represents so much to so many.

Navy Occupation Service medal: [attachmentid=52025] [attachmentid=52026]

Army Occupation Service medal with Germany and Japan clasps: [attachmentid=52023] [attachmentid=52024]

WWII Victory medal: [attachmentid=52021] [attachmentid=52022] This and the other WWII medals I got in honor of both our relatives who fought in that conflict.

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal: [attachmentid=52019] [attachmentid=52020] A good bit more detail on the eagle this time. Just can't get enough of those beautiful eagles!

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal: [attachmentid=52017] [attachmentid=52018] Boy did they ever squeeze a few campaigns into this one! And there's that lovely eagle again!

American Campaign medal: [attachmentid=52015] [attachmentid=52016] Another terrific eagle which will look very familiar to any fellow numismatists out there... albeit rather worn on this example.

American Defense Service medal: [attachmentid=52013] [attachmentid=52014] I love the symbolism here with Lady Liberty fending off all our enemies.

China Service medal: [attachmentid=52011] [attachmentid=52012] As with many of the U.S. medals from this period I love this eagle. Quite a few of them were designed by some of our greatest coin designers.

WWI Victory medal: [attachmentid=52008] [attachmentid=52009] I got this one in honor of Kim's Grandfather Dr. Ferdinand Benjamin Peik who served as a Private during the Great War. We don't own his original medals but they are still held by the family along with his uniforms, etc. [attachmentid=52010] And update on this. I just discovered that he had actually become a First Lieutenant in the Dental Officers Reserve Corps.

China Relief medal (Navy and Marine Corps): [attachmentid=52006] [attachmentid=52007] Yet another of the modern restrikes.

Hi Vic, Hey, as George Carlin said (wise man that one!) "Don't be scared... it's just a beard!" Seriously, I was a bit apprehensive on these as I was fair sure and knew on the Kiev... but I figure it this way. If something turns out to be a copy, as long as I have dirt in it I'm not worried. And, most importantly... it's something others can then learn from. And that... is very important. If everyone runs around and sees nothing but originals then where are we when a copy pops up. Whenever I had an original... and could pick up a copy or copies of the same item for next to nothing I would. Then I'd use that to educate others in the differences, etc. so next time they'd be better equipped to handle themselves out in the jungle. So go ahead... post away! Unless of course it's something you think is a copy and you have a small fortune in it and by confirming it's a copy it will cause you to go jump off the local water tower. Then perhaps it's best to just live the fantasy. Dan

Hi Andreas, Sorry, actually I knew on that one... meant to state it in the post. Just trying to do too many things at one time. Many thanks! Dan

Hi all, Here's my collection of U.S. medals. Civil War: [attachmentid=52004] [attachmentid=52005] This is of course one of the modern strikes and not an original issue piece. I got it in honor of both my wife Kim's and my own relatives who fought in that conflict. I eventually hope to get the companion Navy and USMC medal. I'd also love to get one of the Indian Wars medals as well.