Gldank Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 A friend in Germany emailed me and asked if this mini medal was real. I do not know enough about US medals to answer his question. Does or did America issue or award mini Medal of Honor medals to wear on a US miniature medal bar? Would the Army one look like this? Thanks to all.
JBFloyd Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 The Medal of Honor is only worn in full size (all services).
Gldank Posted December 4, 2008 Author Posted December 4, 2008 The Medal of Honor is only worn in full size (all services).Thanks! Jeff
Dana B Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 Jeff, as usual, is correct that only the full size Medal of Honor is authorized to be worn - HOWEVER - this photo of USMC WW1 Medal of Honor recipient Louis Cukela clearly shows him wearing a mini Army MoH in this 1920's-1930's circa pic that also shows him with his Navy Tiffany-style MoH at his neck.
Gldank Posted December 4, 2008 Author Posted December 4, 2008 Jeff, as usual, is correct that only the full size Medal of Honor is authorized to be worn - HOWEVER - this photo of USMC WW1 Medal of Honor recipient Louis Cukela clearly shows him wearing a mini Army MoH in this 1920's-1930's circa pic that also shows him with his Navy Tiffany-style MoH at his neck.Interesting! Thank you Dana
Daniel Cole Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 I have seen minis in displays of other minis in the uniform shop when I was in the navy. So they are out there, but I concur, only the full size is worn.
Ed_Haynes Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 Real? In any way official? No, of course not. Real? Did someone make and sell them? In an world of uncontrolled capitalism, of course. Are they collectible? Not for me, maybe for others. Whoever will pay cash for them?
Peter J Posted December 5, 2008 Posted December 5, 2008 (edited) "Real? In any way official? No, of course not. Real? Did someone make and sell them? In an world of uncontrolled capitalism, of course. Are they collectible? Not for me, maybe for others. Whoever will pay cash for them?"Couldn't have said it better myself. Here's one, probably manufactured in Sweden, next to the extremely rare "Medaljen f?r tapperhet i f?lt" (Medal for bravery in the Field).cheersPeter Edited December 5, 2008 by Peter J
JBFloyd Posted December 5, 2008 Posted December 5, 2008 Actually, the miniature is more likely to be a miniature badge of the Grand Army of the Republic, a group of Civil War veterans, but a neat miniature group. Probably to a Swede who came to the US, served in the Army during the Civil War and went home.
JBFloyd Posted December 5, 2008 Posted December 5, 2008 Here's part of a page from a 1928 Bailey, Banks & Biddle insignia catalog offering miniature Tiffany Crosses and Army Medals of Honor for $5 each. So, there was a time when there was an authorized miniature for the Medal of Honor, but that seems to have died out with WWII. None are authorized now.
Dana B Posted December 5, 2008 Posted December 5, 2008 I remember when I started collecting medals in the mid 1960's one of the first catalogs I had was from Kaufman Surplus in the 300 block of W 42nd St in Manhattan across from the Port Authority Building. Inside the back cover they listed all the miniatures including Army and Navy versions of the Medal of Honor - but alas as a kid I couldn't afford the outrageous $14.95 EACH!! (I had to settle for $5 1939 EK2's and $1 Brit Victory Medals) And I remember a few lucky treks into Midtown where I could stop into Kaufman's and see them first hand pinned to a board behind the register . . . so although long out of regulation by then (if, in fact, they ever were regulation), they were still being sold to the public while the Worlds Fair played on in Flushing Meadows and Americans couldnt legally buy full size US medals . . .
Gldank Posted January 3, 2009 Author Posted January 3, 2009 Here is a MOH group and mini awarded to a Sgt Johnston of WWI. Again, these photos were emailed to me from my friend in Germany.
Daniel Cole Posted January 4, 2009 Posted January 4, 2009 Great stuff on Johnson! Here is a picture of Thomas Croft Neibaur (my second Cousin) and I believe Johnston on their way home form the war.Where are Johnston's decorations? Neibaurs are in the state museum in Boise, Idaho
Gldank Posted January 4, 2009 Author Posted January 4, 2009 Great stuff on Johnson! Here is a picture of Thomas Croft Neibaur (my second Cousin) and I believe Johnston on their way home form the war.Where are Johnston's decorations? Neibaurs are in the state museum in Boise, IdahoI am told the group is still with the family.
Francois Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) Beautiful picture, thank you .. I don't mean to be rude but this must be an (army) reproduction made in Europe after 1918, the Medal of Honor size has never been small. She was issued during and prior WWI, Civil War and during the Indian Campains ,but the small version does not exist in the USA.... Medals of Honor are always carried around the neck... Edited January 12, 2009 by Francois
Francois Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) What a beautiful black and white picture again, but I have a question concerning one of the soldier.Ok, I see the Medal of Honor on the left chest , but the second soldier has the same one around his neck...?So this could explain that the person on the left just got decorated..?Also, I see several medals from the "Grest War" ( WW I ) but the Dog Tag is from WW II.This is a little confusing...Dog tags in WW I were round .Left to right , American Defence 1941WW I Defence Medal with 4 "Metal Bar"Small WW I Defence MedalMedal of Honor Pin ?WW II MedalSmal medal of Honor (reproduction )WW II Dog TagDon't know the last one yet... :o Edited January 12, 2009 by Francois
Daniel Cole Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Both Johnston and Neibaur were awarded the medal the same day by General Pershing. That was February 19, 1919. Johnston is in the front row 8 from the left. Neibaur is in the back center.Early pictures of Neibaur show him wearing as a pinned decoration, but the early models after the turn of the century could also be hung on a next ribbon. In WWI you will see pictures of these medals and they are easily distinguishable because the don't have the pad of stars.Also the Medals up to the first world war were silver gilt. Johston's shows that, as does Neibaurs and the one recently sold by Detlev Neimann. That medal was also awarded the same day in February.(I'll have to resize the picture too big)
Gldank Posted January 12, 2009 Author Posted January 12, 2009 What a beautiful black and white picture again, but I have a question concerning one of the soldier.Ok, I see the Medal of Honor on the left chest , but the second soldier has the same one around his neck...?So this could explain that the person on the left just got decorated..?Also, I see several medals from the "Grest War" ( WW I ) but the Dog Tag is from WW II.This is a little confusing...Dog tags in WW I were round .Left to right , American Defence 1941WW I Defence Medal with 4 "Metal Bar"Small WW I Defence MedalMedal of Honor Pin ?WW II MedalSmal medal of Honor (reproduction )WW II Dog TagDon't know the last one yet... The blue and white striped cross and mini are the WWI Italian War Cross. You are right on the dog tags. I would assume we are not seeing all the medals (and dog tags) as Johnson served in both WWI and WWII. I do not have more information on this group. I received the photos from a friend of the family and have not seen the original group nor have I been able to get more questions answered at present.
Francois Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) I was not questioning Johnson military services, your picture is fantastic, so both WWI and WWII, ok, got it, thank you ..Anyway, the Italian War cross look very pretty also, why is she on the picture if I may ask.. Edited January 13, 2009 by Francois
Gldank Posted January 13, 2009 Author Posted January 13, 2009 I was not questioning Johnson military services, your picture is fantastic, so both WWI and WWII, ok, got it, thank you ..Anyway, the Italian War cross look very pretty also, why is she on the picture if I may ask..The Italian War Cross is on his post WWI picture. He may have not have been awarded the cross yet at the time of his WWI picture.
Francois Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) VERY NICE, THIS MAKE SENSE... :cheers: Edited January 13, 2009 by Francois
Francois Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) BATTLE OF PIAVE, ITALY, the French, British and US fought in this area in 1918...He may be got his medal from that area... Edited January 13, 2009 by Francois
Gldank Posted January 13, 2009 Author Posted January 13, 2009 BATTLE OF PIAVE, ITALY, the French, British and US fought in this area in 1918...He may be got his medal from that area...Yes, I think you may be right. Thank you.
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