Dave Danner Posted February 15, 2006 Posted February 15, 2006 As a tonic to our sometimes too often expressed cynicism about how the various services give out lots of ribbons and medals for very little, and for the hell of it, how about some of guys whose racks speak to more than "I graduated basic training and didn't get lost for three years."First up, ...
Dave Danner Posted February 15, 2006 Author Posted February 15, 2006 Marines, Navy, Army,.... Am I forgetting someone?
Dave Danner Posted February 15, 2006 Author Posted February 15, 2006 In Col. Howard's case, note that he is wearing his NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Army Overseas Service Ribbon. I suppose he could have dispensed with them and no one would complain, but who's going to tell him different?
The Capstone Posted March 20, 2006 Posted March 20, 2006 Incredible post. Medal of Honor winners are always interesting to check out, especially the few double MOH winners.Ryan
David S Posted March 20, 2006 Posted March 20, 2006 General Davis is in photo #1, I have always enjoyed his expression in this one.
Ulsterman Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 (edited) This is a 2 star army general I bought over the weekend-@ 1921 I reckon: 2 years overseas and a LOT of awards-especially for those days. Anyone know who he is? Edited March 21, 2006 by Ulsterman
Guest Rick Research Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 What's that "H" shoulder patch?Nevvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvver mind = "Hawaiian Department," approved January 10, 1922.
Ulsterman Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 (edited) Oops-never mind. Hawaii huh? ..... 1922: tough station. Still, he deserved a rest. Edited March 21, 2006 by Ulsterman
byf Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 Wonderful. The stories those ribbons and medals tell are incredible. They earned each one. Thanks for posting.byf
David S Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 (edited) The top ribbon is for the Distinguished Service Medal, since 1844 were awarded from 1918 to 1926 this isn't gonna be easy. The rest of the ribbons on the first and second rows look to be campaign medals. The bottom rows look like foreign awards, I spy a rosette or two in there.Finding a list of Hawaiian Department Commanders will produce names, finding said list isn't easy.The US Army began transitioned to the open collar in 1926, so this Major General will pre-date that. Edited March 21, 2006 by David S
Dave Danner Posted March 21, 2006 Author Posted March 21, 2006 Finding a list of Hawaiian Department Commanders will produce names, finding said list isn't easy.Finding a list is easy; finding good pictures may not be. Interwar commanding generals in Hawaii:Brig. Gen. John W. Heard 1918-1919 Brig. Gen. Henry C. Hodges, Jr. 1919 Maj. Gen. Charles G. Morton 1919-1921 Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall 1921-1924 Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher 1924-1925 Maj. Gen. Edward M. Lewis 1925-1927 Maj. Gen. William R. Smith 1927-1928 Maj. Gen. Fox Conner 1928-1930 Maj. Gen. Edwin G. Winans 1930 Maj. Gen. William Lassiter 1930-1931 Maj. Gen. Briant H. Wells 1931-1934 Maj. Gen. Halstead Dorey 1934-1935 Maj. Gen. Hugh A. Drum 1935-1937 Maj. Gen. Andrew Moses 1937-1938 Maj. Gen. Charles D. Herron 1938-1941 Lt. Gen. Walter C. Short 1941 I can't find a picture of Charles Gould Morton, Jr.Charles Pelot Summerall, later Army Chief of Staff (1926-1930), had both the DSC and the DSM, so it is not him. It is not Charles Thomas Menoher: http://www.gwpda.org/photos/bin10/imag0940.jpgEdward M. Lewis: http://www.gwpda.org/photos/bin10/imag0963.jpgWilliam Ruthven Smith: http://digital-library.usma.edu/cdm4/item_...SOPTR=882&REC=1
Dave Danner Posted March 21, 2006 Author Posted March 21, 2006 (edited) I can't find a picture of Charles Gould Morton, Jr.... which doesn't matter as the Hawaiian Department patch was not authorized until November 2, 1921, when he'd already left command. Edited March 21, 2006 by Dave Danner
David S Posted March 22, 2006 Posted March 22, 2006 (edited) Maj. Gen. Edwin G. Winans 1930 Here's a pic of Winans . . .he's number 2http://www.distantcousin.com/Military/wwi/...es.asp?Page=153Maj. Gen. William Lassiter 1930-1931 Here's a pic of Lassiterhttp://www.distantcousin.com/Military/wwi/...es.asp?Page=015 Edited March 22, 2006 by David S
David S Posted March 22, 2006 Posted March 22, 2006 I think it's Lassiter!Could very well be.In both pictures the first two ribbons are the same, DSM and what looks to be a Philippine Campaign.
Paul R Posted March 25, 2006 Posted March 25, 2006 Here is the Coast Guard's solitary awardee. His MOH citation reads as follows:Awarded posthumously to DOUGLAS ALBERT MUNRO, SIGNALMAN FIRST CLASS, U.S. COAST GUARD 'For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty as Office-in-Charge of a group of Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a Battalion of Marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on September 27, 1942. After making preliminary plans for the evacuation of nearly 500 beleaguered Marines, Munro, under constant risk of his life, daringly led five of his small craft toward the shore. As he closed the beach, he signalled [sic] the others to land, and then in order to draw the enemy's fire and protect the heavily loaded boats, he valiantly placed his craft with its two small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese. When the perilous task of evacuation was nearly completed, Munro was killed by enemy fire, but his crew, two of whom were wounded, carried on until the last boat had loaded and cleared the beach. By his outstanding leadership, expert planning, and dauntless devotion to duty, he and his courageous comrades undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished. He gallantly gave up his life in defense of his country.'"Althought this ribbon bar is not the largest it is still impressiveMedal of HonorPurple HeartAsia-Pacific Campaign with battle starAmerican Theatre Campaign MedalWorld War II Victory MedalCoast Guard Good ConductCoast Guard Expert Rifle MedalHere is the website where I retrieved the information I just posted. There are a lot more photos and information for anyone who is interested.http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/Munro%20Index.html
John R. Angolia Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 Good afternoon Gentlemen (and Ladies if there are any in attendance), I'm new to your forum. I appreciate the opportunity to view your comments and share mutual interests. I have observed over the years the inequities regarding awards. Not at all uncommon for a WWII Vet who put his life on the line for four years to display only four or five ribbons. This progressively increased with successive wars. It would appear that the Air Force was the worse service for proliferation of awards. I jokingly refer to many of these as, "No cavities, perfect attendance, and an accumulation of ten or more smiley faces." In reality, things have to be placed in perspective. Considerably more awards exist today than previously. Back then, service members were in for the "duration" while now we have a professional corps of service men staying much longer. Obviously, those staying in 20, 30, or 40 or more years will be in a position to earn more awards. Senior officers/NCO's, by simple virtue of the positions held, would receive awards that others would not be eligible for. When a service member sports only five awards of which you have a DSC, Silver Star and Purple Heart, as compared to someone with lesser awards but considerably more in number, which tells the real story of valor and dedication to duty? Just an observation. Jack
Ed_Haynes Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 Thanks for this wisdom, and welcome to our happy little home.
Paul R Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 Thanks for this wisdom, and welcome to our happy little home.Agreed...Welcome Jack!
John R. Angolia Posted April 3, 2006 Posted April 3, 2006 Hello Everyone, I would like to pose a question. What would be your reaction if you observed a green service tunic of a Marine Master Sergeant adorned with the following decorations: Air Medal with three stars, Marine Good Conduct medal with four stars, Army Good Conduct medal, ETO with one star, American Defense Medal, WWII Victory Medal, AAF Air Crew wings, Marine Air Crew wings? Would like very much to have your obser-vations. Regards, Jack
Ulsterman Posted April 3, 2006 Posted April 3, 2006 (edited) I would suspect someone fiddled with them and then wonder if he was an ex-army man who became a tail gunner.I have seen discharge papers of master mechanics who flew the hump so many times as in service repair crew that they got air medals. The wings though.... Edited May 31, 2006 by Ulsterman
John R. Angolia Posted April 3, 2006 Posted April 3, 2006 I would suspect someone fiddled with them and then wonder if he was an ex-army man who became a tail gunner.I have seen discharge papers of master mechanics who flew the hump so many times as in service repair crew that they got air medals. The wings though....Thank you for responding. Let's wait for a few more responses before we take a closer look.Regards, Jack
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