Tiffany Cross recipients - Update 4/29/16

[emccomas]

The recent pictures from Dave have got me thinking about the Tiffany Cross recipients confirmation effort.

 

So, here is where we stand at this point. If anyone sees any errors in my lists, please point them out to me.

 

There are 51 TOTAL Navy Medal of Honor recipients between 1919 and 1940 (the Tiffany Cross was first available for award in 1919).

 

1. Badders - STAR (Confirmed)

2. Balch - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

3. Bennett - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

4. Boone - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

5. Bradley- STAR (Confirmed)

6. Breault- STAR (Confirmed)

7. Button- STAR (Confirmed)

8. Byrd - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

9. Cann - STAR (Confirmed)

10. Cholister - STAR (Confirmed)

11. Corry - UNKNOWN

12. Covington - UNKNOWN

13. Crandall - STAR (Confirmed)

14. Cukela - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

15. Drexler - STAR (Confirmed)

16. Eadie - STAR (Confirmed)

17. Edwards - STAR (Confirmed)

18. Graves - UNKNOWN

19. Hammann - UNKNOWN

20. Hanneken - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

21. Hayden - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

22. Hobson - STAR (Confirmed)

23. Huber - STAR (Confirmed)

24. Hutchins - STAR (Confirmed)

25. Ingram - UNKNOWN

26. Izac - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

27. Janson - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed)

28. Jones - STAR (Confirmed)

29. Kelly - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

30. Kocak - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed)

31. Lyle - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

32. MacKinzie - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

33. Madison - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

34. McDonald - STAR (Confirmed)

35. McGunigal - STAR (Confirmed)

36. Mihalowski - STAR (Confirmed)

37. Ormsbee - UNKNOWN

38. Osborne - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed)

39. Petty - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

40. Pruitt - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

41. Robinson - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

42. Ryan - STAR (Confirmed)

43. Schilt - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

44. Schmidt - STAR (Confirmed)

45. Siegel - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

46. Smith, Albert - STAR (Confirmed)

47. Stockham - ARMY MOH Awarded

48. Sullivan - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

49. Talbot - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

50. Truesdale - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

51. Upton - STAR (Confirmed)

Of these 51, the following 29 are NOT confirmed recipients of the STAR version of the MOH

1. Balch - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

2. Bennett - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

3. Boone - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

4. Byrd - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

5. Corry - UNKNOWN

6. Covington - UNKNOWN

7. Cukela - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

8. Graves - UNKNOWN

9. Hammann - UNKNOWN

10. Hanneken - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

11. Hayden - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

12. Ingram - UNKNOWN

13. Izac - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

14. Janson - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed)

15. Kelly - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

16. Kocak - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed)

17. Lyle - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

18. MacKinzie - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

19. Madison - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

20. Ormsbee - UNKNOWN

21. Osborne - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed)

22. Petty - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

23. Pruitt - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

24. Robinson - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

25. Schilt - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

26. Siegel - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

27. Sullivan - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

28. Talbot - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

29. Truesdale - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

Of these 29, the following 20 are confirmed Tiffany Cross recipients (or strong evidence indicates a Tiffany Cross recipient)

 

1. Balch - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

2. Bennett - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

3. Boone - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

4. Byrd - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

5. Cukela - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

6. Hayden - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

7. Izac - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

8. Janson - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates)

9. Kelly - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

10. Kocak - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates)

11. Lyle - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

12. Madison - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

13. Osborne - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates)

14. Petty - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

15. Pruitt - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

16. Robinson - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

17. Schilt - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

18. Siegel - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

19. Sullivan - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

20. Talbot - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

That leaves 9 recipients as follows:

1. Corry - UNKNOWN

2. Covington - UNKNOWN

3. Graves - UNKNOWN

4. Hammann - UNKNOWN

5. Hanneken - STAR (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates)

6. Ingram - UNKNOWN

7. MacKinzie - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

8. Ormsbee - UNKNOWN

9. Truesdale - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

OK, that is the current status of the Tiffany Cross recipients. It was just time to update everyone.

 

 

 

[emccomas]

OK, now lets take a closer look at the 9 unknowns:

 

1. Corry - UNKNOWN

2. Covington - UNKNOWN

3. Graves - UNKNOWN

4. Hammann - UNKNOWN

5. Hanneken - STAR (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates)

6. Ingram - UNKNOWN

7. MacKinzie - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

8. Ormsbee - UNKNOWN

9. Truesdale - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

 

 

Hanneken was awarded his MOH for the same action, and on the same date, and from the same presenter as William Button. William button is a confirmed STAR recipient, so it is reasonable to assume that Hanneken was also a STAR recipient.

 

A newspaper article from Orleans, NY, dated Nov 11, 1920 lists 11 recipients of the Navy (and Marine Corps) Medal of Honor. ( of those 11 are confirmed Tiffany Cross recipients, so it seems reasonable to assume that the other two listed (Hammann, Ingram) are also Tiffany Cross recipients.

 

So now we have:

 

1. Corry - UNKNOWN

2. Covington - UNKNOWN

3. Graves - UNKNOWN

4. Hammann - Probable TIFFANY CROSS

5. Hanneken - Probable STAR (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates)

6. Ingram - Probable TIFFANY CROSS

7. MacKinzie - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

8. Ormsbee - UNKNOWN

9. Truesdale - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

If we make those assumptions (still to be confirmed), that leaves us with:

1. Corry - UNKNOWN

2. Covington - UNKNOWN

3. Graves - UNKNOWN (wearing a STAR MOH in a 1957 photo)

4. MacKinzie - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

5. Ormsbee - UNKNOWN

6. Truesdale - STAR (NOT Confirmed)

So that is 22 confirmed, strong evidence indicates, or reasonable assumption TIFFANY CROSS recipients, as follows:

1. Balch - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

2. Bennett - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

3. Boone - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

4. Byrd - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

5. Cukela - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

6. Hammann - assumed TIFFANY CROSS based on 11/11/1920 newspaper article

7. Hayden - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

8. Ingram - assumed TIFFANY CROSS based on 11/11/1920 newspaper article

9. Izac - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

10. Janson - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates)

11. Kelly - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

12. Kocak - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates)

13. Lyle - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

14. Madison - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

15. Osborne - TIFFANY CROSS (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates)

16. Petty - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

17. Pruitt - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

18. Robinson - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

19. Schilt - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

20. Siegel - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

21. Sullivan - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

22. Talbot - TIFFANY CROSS (Confirmed)

OK, that's a wrap for now

 

 

[Mark Costa]

Not sure why Truesdale's Star is listed as NOT confirmed. There are photos of the presentation of the his medal that clearly shows his star award as shown here.

 

Mark Costa

[Brig]

Why not post the full names of recipients so members can easily find them when using the search feature? After all, we don't have to worry about families coming calling...no one here can buy or sell any of these

[emccomas]

Not sure why Truesdale's Star is listed as NOT confirmed. There are photos of the presentation of the his medal that clearly shows his star award as shown here.

 

Mark Costa

 

Because I did not have a copy pf this photo. Truesdale is now confirmed as a STAR recipient.

[emccomas]

Why not post the full names of recipients so members can easily find them when using the search feature? After all, we don't have to worry about families coming calling...no one here can buy or sell any of these

 

It was easier for me to sort based on last name only, but I am happy to put all of the details for the Tiffany Cross recipients.

[emccomas]

OK, update based on the Truesdale confirmed STAR recipient

 

If we make those assumptions (still to be confirmed), that leaves us with:

1. Corry - UNKNOWN

2. Covington - Date of award is 1918 (GO 403, 1918) so this has to be a STAR version. Picture of Covington wearing STAR version exists.

3. Graves - Date of ward is 1918 (GO 366, 1918) so this has to be a STAR version. Picture of Graves wearing STAR version exists.

4. MacKinzie - Date of award is 1918 (GO 391, 1918) so this has to be a STAR version. Picture of MacKinzie wearing STAR version exists.

5. Ormsbee - Date of award is 1918 (GO 436, 1918) so this has to be a STAR version.

6. Truesdale - STAR (Confirmed)

 

So that is 22 confirmed, strong evidence indicates, or reasonable assumption TIFFANY CROSS confirmed recipients, except as noted:

Abbreviations

Date of Action (DOA) date the action occurred for which recipient was awarded the Medal of Honor

Date of Issue (DOI) date the award was made

Location of Medal (LOM) current location of the Tioffany Cross

Tiffany Cross Type 1 - has triangle at top of cross, with suspension ring attached to triangle

Tiffany Cross Type 2 - no triange at top of cross, ring suspension attached to top of cross

1. Balch, John DOA: 10/5/18 DOI: 9/?/19 TC: Type 1 LOM: Bethesda Naval Hospital

2. Bennett, Floyd DOA: 5/9/26 DOI: 2/19/27 TC: Type 1 LOM: National Air and Space Museum

3. Boone, Joel DOA: 7/19/18 DOI: TC: Type 1 LOM: Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, PA

4. Byrd, Richard DOA: 5/9/26 DOI: 2/19/27 TC: Type 2 LOM: Private collection, sold at auction in England in 1988

5. Cukela, Louis DOA: 7/18/18 DOI: 3/17/19 TC: Type 1 LOM:

6. Hammann, Charles DOA: 8/21/18 DOI: TC: LOM: Unknown (assumed TIFFANY CROSS based on 11/11/1920 newspaper article)

7. Hayden, David DOA: 9/15/19 DOI: TC: Type 1 LOM: Legion of Valor Museum, Fresno, CA

8. Ingram, Osmond DOA: 10/15/17 DOI: TC: LOM: Unknown (assumed TIFFANY CROSS based on 11/11/1920 newspaper article)

9. Izac, Eduoard DOA: 5/21/18 DOI: 11/11/20 TC: Type 1 LOM: Naval Historical and Heritage Center, Washington Navy Yard

10. Janson, Ernest DOA: 6/6/18 DOI: 3/7/19 TC: LOM: (NOT Confirmed, photo at Tomb on Unknown Soldier dedication in 1921 appears to be TC, aka: Hoffman, Charles)

11. Kelly, John J. DOA: 10/3/18 DOI: 3/15/19 TC: Type 1 LOM: National Museum of the United States Marine Corps

12. Kocak, Matej DOA: 7/18/18 DOI: 3/7/19 TC: LOM: Unknown (NOT Confirmed, TC attributed to Kocak was seen on display at Naval Academy)

13. Lyle, Alexander DOA: 4/23/18 DOI: 12/11/19 TC: LOM: Unknown, last seen on display at Bethesda Naval Hospital

14. Madison, James J. DOA: 10/4/18 DOI: TC: LOM: Unknown

15. Osborne, Weedon DOA: 6/6/18 DOI: TC: LOM: Unknown (NOT Confirmed, strong evidence indicates award of TC)

16. Petty, Orlando DOA: 6/11/18 DOI: TC: Type 1 LOM: Unknown

17. Pruitt, John DOA: 10/3/18 DOI: 5/10/19 TC: Type 1 LOM: National Museum of the United States Marine Corps

18. Robinson, Robert DOA: 10/14/18 DOI: TC: Type 1: LOM: National Museum of the United States Marine Corps

19. Schilt, Frank DOA: 1/8/28 DOI: 4/5/28 TC: Type 2: LOM: National Museum of the United States Marine Corps

20. Siegel, John Otto DOA: 11/1/18 DOI: TC: Type 1 LOM: Museum of Natural History, Los Angeles, CA

21. Sullivan, Daniel DOA: 11/11/20 DOI: TC: Type 1 LOM:

22. Talbot, Ralph DOA: 10/14/18 DOI: TC: Type 1 LOM: National Museum of the United States Marine Corps

And with the updates to the unknowns, the only one that is really still unknown is Corry.

Thoughts?

 

[Mark Costa]

We can finally remove Herman Hanneken's name from the list of possible recipients of the Tiffany Cross. Attached is a photo of Hanneken shortly after his medal presentation. He is clearly wearing the star version of the MOH.

 

Mark Costa

[emccomas]

We can finally remove Herman Hanneken's name from the list of possible recipients of the Tiffany Cross. Attached is a photo of Hanneken shortly after his medal presentation. He is clearly wearing the star version of the MOH.

 

Mark Costa

 

Very nice Mark, well done.

[Mike Serpa]

Picture of Francis E. Ormsbee from New York Tribune April 13, 1919. This supports post #7 that he has a STAR version.