DFC - need help

[westfale]

Hello!

I would like to ask the specialists about the DFC (US) for some details about the difference between the ww2-versions and later made crosses, because I could get an older one and I would not buy an modern type - a picture, for example, would be a great help! And two another questions: Are only the ww2-types numbered, or also later crosses, for example the crosses for korea or vietnam? Are there differences between the army crosses and crosses for navy, air force or strangers? And, at least: Does anyone know anything about the amount of awarded crosses?

Thanks a lot for your help!

westfale

[coastie]

The easiest/basic way of telling the difference is the style of brooch. If it is a wrapped brooch it's possibly pre-war/wwII vintage. If it is a slot brooch it's WWII and possibly up to Viet Nam depending on the number of them the QM Depot had. A slot brooch DFC was made during WWII so you have a good War time example. I can't give you numbers or anything about serial numbers but there are others who can.

[JBFloyd]

Those DFCs numbered on the back date from before World War II. Those numbered on the lower arm edge date from early WWII (and cannot be traced by number). After that, they were unnumbered.

In 1947, the Army (including the Army Air Forces) reported that 126,318 DFCs had been awarded. This was 107,410 basic awards and 18,908 oak leaf clusters.

Jeff Floyd

[Dave Danner]

In 1947, the Army (including the Army Air Forces) reported that 126,318 DFCs had been awarded. This was 107,410 basic awards and 18,908 oak leaf clusters.

Jeff Floyd

Army statistics (as Jeff notes, for WW2 this includes the Army Air Forces):

World War Two: 126,318

Korea: unknown

Vietnam: 21,697

El Salvador: 1

Grenada: 3

Panama: 16

Persian Gulf War: 108

Somalia: 17

Operation Enduring Freedom: 50 (as of 31 October 2005)

Operation Iraqi Freedom: 30 (as of 31 October 2005)

I have no idea what the numbers are for other services, or for peacetime awards of the DFC.

[westfale]

Hello again!

According to your answers should this be an DFC ww2/Viet Nam-era?

westfale

[coastie]

Hello again!

According to your answers should this be an DFC ww2/Viet Nam-era?

westfale

Correct. These are very nice, well made and with a very vibrant colored silk ribbon. Don't really have an answer to the number of how many of these slot brooch DFC were awarded during Vietnam. But it is possible that maybe there are a bunches still sitting somewhere in the QM Deport like all the Slot brooched Bronze stars that have turned up in the last couple of years.