Need help identifying grandfather's service ribbons
My grandfather passed away last week at the age of 89.
He was a career military man, having enlisted in the Navy at 16 and served there from 1945-1946. After his time in the Navy he joined the Air National Guard where he spent 36 years, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant.
We brought out his old uniform for display at his wake, and it is now resting with him. However I was looking to try and identify the various ribbons on it as well as their significance. I've found a few of them on various websites however there are a couple that I cannot track down.
Right Column, Third Row from Bottom, Red with Yellow in the middle, is the National Defense Service Medal ribbon, (me paraphrasing:...) which is awarded to anyone in any branch who served during a time of war/national emergency (Vietnam, Desert Storm, many others), even someone who never saw combat or spent the whole time cleaning latrines/heads.
Left Column, Third Row from Bottom, is the WWII Victory Medal ribbon, with the sort of rainbow on each end with the wide Red stripe in the Middle with thin White stripes on each side of the red part.
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." - John Wayne in "The Shootist"
October 21, 2017, 12:58 PM
medic451
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." - John Wayne in "The Shootist"
October 21, 2017, 01:17 PM
medic451
Top-bottom, left-right AF commendation medal x2, Af outstanding unit, AF good conduct, Navy good conduct, American defense service ww2, american campaign ww2, asiatic-pacific campaign ww2, ww2 victory, china service medal, nation defense medal, armed forces expeditionary, AF longivity x3 (more if that left oakleaf is silver(5 awards) vs bronze)armed forces reserve medal, no idea x3...., small arms expert, kosovo nato medal with unknown device???This message has been edited. Last edited by: medic451,
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." - John Wayne in "The Shootist"
October 21, 2017, 01:34 PM
1gkek
I think I found most of them. (ETA - Medic and I working on it at the same time)
(In Order) Row 1: Air Force Commendation Medal Row 2: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, (???) Row 3: American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Row 4: World War II Victory Medal, (???), National Defense Service Medal Row 5: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, Air Force Armed Forces Reserve medal Row 6: (???), Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, (???)
October 21, 2017, 04:12 PM
medic451
Found that bottom left one- for reserve service only... also that gold hourglass device on his armed forces reserve ribbon indicates 10yrs service( bronze 10,silver 20, gold 30). That bottom right one with a star and eagle is a complete mystery. Doesnt match any nato medal and ive never seen that eagle device before either.
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." - John Wayne in "The Shootist"
October 21, 2017, 04:27 PM
2BobTanner
The last ribbon (bottom right) would appear to be the Massachusetts Air National Guard Service Medal/Ribbon. The devices would appear to be for additional years of service (star) and probably for Federal activation service tour (eagle). Would be best to check with MA-ANG folks.
Edit: Just a swag on my part, but the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Eagle (Federal Activation?) might be for his time in the MAANG at the time of the “Berlin Crisis” in 1961. The MAANG was one of the units that was activated. Those ANG members activated were awarded the Expeditionary medal. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik..._Guard_Mobilizations
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October 21, 2017, 04:42 PM
medic451
quote:
Originally posted by 2BobTanner: The last ribbon (bottom right) would appear to be the Massachusetts Air National Guard Service Medal/Ribbon. The devices would appear to be for additional years of service (star) and probably for Federal activation service tour (eagle). Would be best to check with MA-ANG folks.
Nice find, I was just gonna suggest it might be a state guard medal since I couldnt find anything for it under national.
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." - John Wayne in "The Shootist"
October 21, 2017, 05:42 PM
AnimalMother88
Those are state specific ribbons.
_____________ This country has a mental health problem disguised as a gun problem and a tyranny problem disguised as a security problem. -Powerful Joe Rogan
October 21, 2017, 08:11 PM
ryan81986
Thank you everyone for your help, I greatly appreciate it. Do the ribbons come with an associated medal as well? Those weren't with his uniform but knowing how he was I'm sure they're in a safe place within his files. But if they do exist it would be nice to put them in some sort of shadow box with the flag from the funeral.
October 21, 2017, 08:29 PM
medic451
quote:
Originally posted by ryan81986: Thank you everyone for your help, I greatly appreciate it. Do the ribbons come with an associated medal as well? Those weren't with his uniform but knowing how he was I'm sure they're in a safe place within his files. But if they do exist it would be nice to put them in some sort of shadow box with the flag from the funeral.
Yes, most ribbons represent a medal but not all. Some awards are just a ribbon. You can order pretty much all of those online, including the devices.
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." - John Wayne in "The Shootist"
October 21, 2017, 09:53 PM
Hound Dog
quote:
Originally posted by ryan81986: Thank you everyone for your help, I greatly appreciate it. Do the ribbons come with an associated medal as well? Those weren't with his uniform but knowing how he was I'm sure they're in a safe place within his files. But if they do exist it would be nice to put them in some sort of shadow box with the flag from the funeral.
My condolences. Sounds like he had a heck of a career.
Generally, it will say on those charts posted (USAF Ribbons) posted by medic451 whether there is an associated medal or not. For example, the top one is the Air Force Commendation Medal is a ribbon and a medal. The top left one, on the second row, is the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award which will not have a medal.
You should be able to buy the medals on Amazon. Most any military clothing sales store will have them, but you will need an ID card to get to most of them.
Fear God and Dread Nought Admiral of the Fleet Sir Jacky Fisher
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." - John Wayne in "The Shootist"
October 22, 2017, 12:52 PM
Marc in FL
quote:
The last ribbon (bottom right) would appear to be the Massachusetts Air National Guard Service Medal/Ribbon. The devices would appear to be for additional years of service (star) and probably for Federal activation service tour (eagle). Would be best to check with MA-ANG folks.
ryan81986, my condolences to your family and I am thankful for your grandfather's service.
2bobtanner, I was intrigued at this decoration and device. At first, I thought it was an older Korean Service Medal. However, after a closer look, you correctly stated it to be a state award for a Massachusetts ANG Service Medal Ribbon. The Gold Eagle device denotes 25 years of service. The star is a Gold War Star indicating service during time of conflict.
