Merchant Marine Medals

[Guest Darrell]

To the unsung heros of the Merchant Marine:

1. Merchant Marine - Atlantic War Zone Medal Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

2. Merchant Marine - Defense Medal Obverse :

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

3. Merchant Marine - Expeditionary Award Medal Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

4. Merchant Marine - Korean Service Medal Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

5. Merchant Marine - Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Medal Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

6. Merchant Marine - Pacific War Zone Medal Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

7. Merchant Marine - Vietnam Service Medal Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

8. Merchant Marine - World War II Victory Medal Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

That's all folks

[Hauptmann]

That's all folks

Hi Darrell,

Just wanted to thank you for posting these. I joined the Merchant Marine after High School so have always had an interest in these. Probably should have started a collection at some point but never did. Perhaps someday...

Thanks!

Dan

[Hendrik]

Nice ones !!! Allow me to add a few more ...

The Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal

[attachmentid=40811] [attachmentid=40812]

[Hendrik]

The Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal

[attachmentid=40815] [attachmentid=40816]

[Hendrik]

The Mariner's Medal

[attachmentid=40821] [attachmentid=40822]

[Hendrik]

and last but not least, the Gallant Ship ribbon

[attachmentid=40823]

[Guest Darrell]

Hi Hendrik. Do you have a closeup picture of Obverse and Reverse of each of the above medals? Can I ask where you got them? Thanks.

[Ed_Haynes]

Hi Hendrik. Do you have a closeup picture of Obverse and Reverse of each of the above medals? Can I ask where you got them? Thanks.

There are many fakes/restrikes of all merchant marine medals about. As most of the medals were authorised long after the original ribbon-only awards were approved, most of them are "after market" medals anyway. Like French awards, and as with most unnamed unnumbered stuff, you are awarded a medal, now trot out and buy it yourself. This opens up a very gray area as to what is legitimate and what isn't, what is original and what is a fake. Only with the Mariner's Medal and the distinguished service medal are these distinctions clear.

[Guest Darrell]

There are many fakes/restrikes of all merchant marine medals about. As most of the medals were authorised long after the original ribbon-only awards were approved, most of them are "after market" medals anyway. Like French awards, and as with most unnamed unnumbered stuff, you are awarded a medal, now trot out and buy it yourself. This opens up a very gray area as to what is legitimate and what isn't, what is original and what is a fake. Only with the Mariner's Medal and the distinguished service medal are these distinctions clear.

No doubt about that Ed. Just like the NASA medals (or NACA if you will), some pretty convincing fakes of the more rare medals (currently offered on e-bay).

The ones I posted are (obviously) current strikes purchased via a pitance. However, the "medal" versions of these were not issued until 1988, so they would not be much different from their original (if 1988 is original) counterparts.

However, Hendrik's selection maybe from an earlier period (possibly wartime). Only closeups will clear that up as the originals were identifiable with trademark initials of the designer.