1943collector Posted November 23, 2018 Share #1 Posted November 23, 2018 Gentleman Just acquired this group, any way to find out who it may have been given to? thanks Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1943collector Posted November 23, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted November 23, 2018 another pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1943collector Posted November 23, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted November 23, 2018 another pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted November 23, 2018 Share #4 Posted November 23, 2018 Too many issued to ID without more details. First you need to ID the era, is it WW1? WW2? a black widow? How did you get it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1943collector Posted November 24, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted November 24, 2018 Here is what i know from the family. From Massachusetts originally, 1 family member in USN in WW2 John O'toole. Another family member in Marines Richard O'toole. Letterhead found with medals states Boston Mass. Naval Base/USMC Barracks. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I am told the Navy Cross is called a "Black Widow" Navy Cross issued to those who died during action in their service? thanks Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajbUSWM Posted November 24, 2018 Share #6 Posted November 24, 2018 Only Navy Cross recipient I see is John A. O'toole KIA USNR WWII Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajbUSWM Posted November 24, 2018 Share #7 Posted November 24, 2018 Timing is right too.. early campaign.. North Africa... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajbUSWM Posted November 24, 2018 Share #8 Posted November 24, 2018 Landing craft Nov 8, 1942 lading in North Africa... Black Widow Navy Cross would be appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1943collector Posted November 24, 2018 Author Share #9 Posted November 24, 2018 ajbUSWM Thanks much for the info. Any way to find more info on him or possibly what he did to win the Navy Cross? North Africa campaign then must have been in the Mediterranean action if he was Navy. thanks again Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 24, 2018 Share #10 Posted November 24, 2018 the red ribbon is the Philippine Defence medal. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 24, 2018 Share #11 Posted November 24, 2018 AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING World War II Service: Navy Division: U.S.S. Joseph Hewes (AP 50) GENERAL ORDERS: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 317 (August 1943) CITATION: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign John A. O'Toole (NSN: 0-144017), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of a Boat Wave from the Transport Ship U.S.S. JOSEPH HEWES (AP-50), during the assault on and occupation of French Morocco from 8 to 11 November 1942. During intense naval and shore bombardment, Ensign O'Toole skillfully organized and led his boat wave toward the beach in the face of devastating and concentrated artillery fire of hostile forces which threatened annihilation of troops before they could debark. With no thought of his own danger, he then stood at the wheel of his boat calmly directing the unloading of both personnel and equipment and the saving of as many of the Navy craft as possible. After directing a squad of machine gunners to safety through the barrage, Ensign O'Toole attempted to withdraw from the beach but was killed by enemy fire. The conduct of Ensign O'Toole throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1943collector Posted November 24, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted November 24, 2018 Wow thanks for the info. If thats the same guy then what terrific info. to go with then Cross, i need to contact the family to see if they might have anything else relating. The PH ribbon and the Philippine ribbon don't seem to go with the N. African campaign but perhaps they belonged to the other family member of the USMC. The ribbon is marked inside H-H which i am told was produced by Hilborn & Hamburg, perhaps they produced the medal Cross also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 24, 2018 Share #13 Posted November 24, 2018 The Navy Cross ribbon is post WWII , based on the width. It's probably from the 50s. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted November 24, 2018 Share #14 Posted November 24, 2018 Even a letter from the family attesting that this is their relatives medal will help in the future. Even copies of docs that they don't want to part with will be great. If not you have a nice medal that is weakly "attributed" to O'Toole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCR79 Posted April 13, 2019 Share #15 Posted April 13, 2019 I am the new Caretaker of this Navy Cross - O'Toole attribution is somewhat loose but it is a Nice early WWII Navy Cross - The guy selling this said it came out of an Antique Shop in Michigan - I wonder if his Purple Heart will show up Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCR79 Posted April 14, 2019 Share #16 Posted April 14, 2019 After looking this medal over carefully I have come to the conclusion that this is a 1920's US Mint Type 2 Navy Cross due to the split broach and the discs appear to be brazed on the medal - Not much of a story but I am pleased with the medal. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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