Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/military ribbon identification

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Expert: - 11/3/2010


Question

unidentified military
Hi. I have been able to identify some of my deceased father's ribbons, but two
of them have me stumped: the blue one with two white vertical bars near the
ends (there are two of these ribbons, one in the rack and one still attached to
the routing slip) and the one next to it in the rack, horizontal bars of dark
green (?), yellow, and (very faded) red. I do not know which way this should be
oriented as I removed them from my father's uniform without noting this. :(  
Thanks very much for your help.

Answer
Lynne:

 Thanks for the photo, it really, really helps!  OK...first, the ribbon bar on the bottom should be on top.  Other than that, it's ok.   Yes, they will be slightly out of order, but not by much, and it's probably exactly the way your father arranged them, so they are find just like that.

 Next..if you still have the uniform...put them back on it!  If possible, that is.  Document as much of your fathers service as you can, and place that information with the uniform.

 OK, as to the ribbons...with the bars in 'proper order', they are as follows:

Navy Commendation Medal (Can't see from pic..is there a 'V' on it?  If so, that's for heroism in action...if not, it was awarded for doing a very, very, good job).  Next ribbon is the Presidential Unit Citation (awarded to everyone in a specific unit), next is the 'American Campaign' medal, meaning your dad served stateside for a time (everyone got this one in WWII, pretty much), next one is what looks like (The pic is small and hard to see) the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, after that, the WWII Victory Medal, and finally, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 battle stars (meaning he was in 4 different campaigns in the Pacific).  

 Thanks for showing them off!

Jason

Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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