Second try - Very nice early Navy group with tapestry 1912

[army historian]

This is my second try - this is a killer group and would like to hear from other. I just received this tapestry (part of a group) to a sailor who served 1910 to 1930, re entered the Navy in Feb 1942 (as Retired) and served on USS Wasp CV-18. He earned the Navy Unit Citation and WW2 medals: American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign with 4 to 5 stars, and WW2 Victory medals. Retired again as a Chief Bosun's Mate (CBM) (PA). Other than the killer tapestry (28" x 21") he served on the USS California (Armored Cruiser 6) at least from 1911 (she was in Tsingtao, China in 1912) to her sinking on 19 July 1918 (as the Cruiser USS San Diego - she was renamed in 1914). His other service was the 1st Nicaraguan Campaign in 1912 (on the USS California) and he received the medals, Navy Good Conduct named and dated 11 Mar 1918 USS San Diego, with an Idaho bar dated 8 Oct 1919, the 1st Nicaraguan Campaign 1912, and WW1 Victory Medal with "Escort" Bar later service earned him the Navy Unit Citation USS Wasp CV-18 (1/2" wide ribbon in group), and the other three medals. There is a cap tally for the USS Nevada also and various assorted other items. I have been looking for a medal group to a survivor of the USS San Diego - and found a killer. George

Edited May 8, 2013 by army historian

[scottplen]

George

that is a Killer group !!! Very nice China connection !!!

[IrishGunner]

I'd say that is about as nice a Navy group as one could find...

George, if I might ask, you've been working a lot in the Navy realm lately. As you are an Army soldier, Is this a new area or something you've always been interested?

[army historian]

Thank you both. What I love about this group is that he is a survivor of the sinking of the USS San Diego in Jul 1918. I have written an article on the USS San Diego (http://www.militarymuseum.org/USSSanDiego.html) . I have always specialized in groups and medal to survivors of sinking, ships damaged, etc. I have Collected British medals and groups - I once own the medal group of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Longdale Ottley, KCMG, CB (Civil), MVO, ADC To King Edward VII. I have always liked Navy groups (I spent a year in the Navy Reserve) on the USS Gallant MSO 489 - a 173' long wood and brass Ocean Going Mine Sweeper. All the rest of my service has been with the Army, or Air Force. I am a Army Field Historian for the California Center for Military History and since 1999 until just recently I belonged the the Naval Research and Study Element of that organization. I have also been down sizing my collection to get rid of uniforms, hats, helmets, and Army groups. I am concentrating on Imperial German Naval/Colonial and US Naval. Some of the big ticket items I have (to me) are:

#1. Medals photos and documents to Rear Admiral (z.V.) Walther Koehler - crew of 1901 - survivor of the Battles of Coronal and the Falklands (Von Spee's Squadron).

#2. Flottenarzt zur Verfügung (z.V.) equavlent [Kapitan zur See] Dr. Georg Warnecke crew of 1906 - survivor of the S.M.S. Karlsruhe in 1914. Medals and Iron Cross document.

#3. German naval (no photo or name) pair Trapezoid mounted Dark Naval backing: Colonial medal (original with original SAMOA 1888 bar), WW1 War Aide Cross - Man was a survivor probably of the S.M.S. Adler 1889 Samoan typhoon.

#4. Seaman 3rd class Mathurin-Marie Helias of the French Navy – Tonkin medal 1883, 3 military service books of Mathurin-Marie Helias and photo (in two) of him and shipmates. Mathurin-Marie Helias was shipwrecked off the Horn of Africa in the French transport AVEYRON in 1883.

#5. US with photos 6 Medal group to CBM Claude Walter Cook with 1912 China tapestry and extras - survivor of USS San Diego sinking in Jul. 1918.

#6. US with Photo to LCDM Francis Lee Bailey (USS Helena Survived torpedoing at Pearl Harbor, and early 3 Guadalcanal Campaigns – Blimp Pilot) (Served 1940-46 plus Naval Reserve 1946-1959). Served on USS Helena at Pearl and left prior to her sinking in July 1943. Served as a Navy Blimp Pilot in Brazil, etc. (comes with originals of paperwork, photos medals and extras.

#7. US with Photo group to BM3 Herbert (Bulkhead) Bradley Wall served USS Griswold DE-7 and Served on and survived the sinking of the USS Bismarck Sea 21 Feb. 1945. Served (9 Nov. 1942 to 19 Nov. 1945).

#8. US with Photo to Motor Mechanist Mate 2^nd Louis J. Albert, USN served on: S-28, USS Scamp SS-277, USS Orion, USS Bogue, CVE 9, USS Euryale AS-22, LSM-381, and USS Lejeune AP-74. (Served 10 Jan 1943-49) - survived and was rescued from the grounded LSM 381 on the Yangtze river. Medals, photos and history - My Uncle.

I have many other naval and Army groups - but they are not to survivors. I hope that answers your question IrishGunner. Here is a picture of the USS Bismarck Sea - Captain Albert

Edited May 12, 2013 by army historian

[IrishGunner]

Excellent article.

[army historian]

Thanks IrishGunner - I appreciate it. Captain Albert

[Paul R]

That is an amazing grouping. I have never seen a set with that medal combination before. The photo is icing on the cake. This is a top shelf grouping. Thank you for sharing it.

Paul

[army historian]

Thanks Paul R. - yes this is my best US Navy group todate. The only better groups I have are Imperial German Naval/Colonial and a US Rear Admiral Uniform/medal group - but he served 1918-1953 a different era. So this is one of my earliest US Navy groups and one of the most complete. Thanks for your comments. I do appreciate it. Captain Albert

[Paul R]

Do you have those groups posted here? I would love to see them.

[army historian]

Well I have posted the groups in different places, But I will post the Rear Admiral and some of the USN groups here in this forum. Captain Albert

[army historian]

A little more information on Claude W. Cook. I received a copy of the 20 Jul 1918 (24 Jul 1918) muster of the survivors of the sinking of the USS San Diego (30 pages) from the National Archives today, and Claude W. Cook is listed as a Sailmaker 1st Class. So his survivor status is verified. George

[Paul R]

Sailmaster First Class?! When did that rate go away? I imagine that this one was merged into the Boatswain Mate field.

[army historian]

Yes Paul the rate sailmaker was disestablished in 1939, and merged into the bosun's rates. That is why he was appointed an acting Chief Bosun's mate when he re enlisted in the Navy in 1941. George

[scottplen]

nice job on the research !!!

[army historian]

Thanks Scott - you know I still have that Purple Heart (private named) to Morr 1st Bt. 503 PIR with the extraxs, if you are interested. George

[scottplen]

George thanks but trying to save funds right now !

[army historian]

I understand - no problem. George