A Flea Market Merchant Marine find

[Ulsterman]

I found this for $20 at my local flea market-check out the ribbon bar, which I reckon is @ 1945. This may be the coolest thing I have bought all year. Any ideas as to the rank?

[army historian]

Check the inside pockets for a name. Rank Lieutenant Commander. Cheers Captain Albert

Edited September 16, 2011 by army historian

[Ulsterman]

Yeah- I checked- but made by Bangor, Maines' best tailor in the 1940s.

The ribbon bar really speaks to me- the USNR ls medal followed by the merchant marine campaign ribbons and lastly the Philipene liberation award (which I did not know the merchant marine qualified for). Merchant marine stuff is rarer than Hens' teeth and really hard one considering the casualty rates. I always thought it a Congressional insult they did not qualify for the WW2 Victory medal.