NCO Ribbon Bar

[Jim Baker]

I really enjoyed Rick's thread on the USAF ribbon bar, so I wanted to see what you guys could tell me about this rack??

Thanks!!

[Jim Baker]

And he got this when he retired, so was not added to the rack.

[Bob Hunter]

From what's showing I would guess late Vietnam era. 4 ARCOMS and an Army Achievement Medal to go with his MSM on retirement. Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars could equate to one tour of duty possibly two. No Bronze Star or Air Medal or Purple Heart so he was probably a staffer some place. I really haven't kept up with the Army's post-Vietnam atta boy awards. One other thought is the presence of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may indicate a tour in Korea.

[David S]

Army Commendation Medal - 3 clusters

Army Achievement Medal

Army Good Conduct Medal - 1 'knot'

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Vietnam Service Medal - 3 stars

NCO Professional Development Ribbon - numeral 3

Army Service Ribbon

Army Overseas Service Ribbon - numeral 2

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Question - Is the 'knot' on the Good Conduct bronze or silver? It's hard to tell from the picture. Should be Silver or Gold depending on how many years served.

Conclusions:

Not a combatant. No combat or gallantry awards.

Possibly a Sergeant First Class (E-7) or Master Sergeant (E-8) due to the '3' on the NCO PDR which denotes Advanced NCO education. MSM would be the standard retirement award for someone of that rank.

Whatever the job was, he or she did quality work hence the 4 ARCOMS.

Service from the late 60's to the late 80's.

AFEM could be for Korea (66 to 74), Grenada (83) , or Panama (89). I am thinking the last two.

Did three overseas tours. . . two Germanys and a Korea.

Edited January 2, 2006 by David S

[Jim Baker]

Thanks guys, that was very thorough.

I forgot to post it, but he also has this??

[Dudeman]

Thanks guys, that was very thorough.

I forgot to post it, but he also has this??

CIB could be from either AFEM (Grenada or Panama) or Vietnam

[David S]

CIB could be from either AFEM (Grenada or Panama) or Vietnam

My thoughts as well.

He qualified for being under fire but was not recognized for valor. Not even a 'V' on his ARCOM.

[Paul R]

So he was definately in the infantry in either Viet'nam or in his later deployments.

I would also say that he became an officer with between 8-12 years as an enlisted man(NCO). I state this because of only two awards of the good conduct medal

Was this bar awarded to you, Jim?

Paul

Edited January 5, 2006 by Paul R

[Jim Baker]

So he was definately in the infantry in either Viet'nam or in his later deployments.

I would also say that he became an officer with between 8-12 years as an enlisted man(NCO). I state this because of only two awards of the good conduct medal

Was this bar awarded to you, Jim?

Paul

That's a silver knot......

[Paul R]

Sorry about that! It looked bronze!