Nice ribbon bar

[Ulsterman]

I have never seen this before. I got this on a stall. The ribbons are all woven expertly on to a cardboard frame with a dark cloth with oilskin backing.

It is to a long serving army NCO who probably was not in combat.

The medals are: Army Commendation medal, Good Conduct

American defense (squirrel medal), American campaign, European theatre with 6 campaign stars

World war 2 victory medal, Occupation forces medal and National Defense Medal.

The first medal shows service in at least 1941 and the last-1950, so he was in at least 10 years.

[duarte1223]

If he has 6 campaign stars, he's bound to have seen combat somewhere. You don't get 'em for nothing.

I love these private purchase medal bars! If anyone else has some, please post!

Adam

[Bob Hunter]

Not necessarily, Adam. Anyone serving in the theater of operations receives credit for the campaign.

[Ulsterman]

Also, sometime after the war anyone who got a CIB (combat infantry badge) or the combat medics' badge also rated a bonze star. There's no bronze star and the ribbon bar was obviously made at least in late 1950, by which point a long serving N.C.O. would have had his bronze star.

[Harvey]

CIBs and CMBs are only awarded to infantry personnel and medics, respectively. It wasn't until OEF/OIF that the Combat Action Badge (CAB) was instituted in order to recognize participation in combat operations by other branches. So, the fact that this guy doesn't have a Bronze Star is not necessarily an indication that he was not in combat (with 6 campaign stars!), simply that he was apparently not an infantryman.