GEB Posted March 9, 2009 Share #26 Posted March 9, 2009 OK, this is far from my area of particular interest. It was the title of the thread that drew me in. Could someone briefly explain the various attributes of this uniform to me. Like, what does the laynard represent. What are the various ribbons. I'm comparing to my fathers bar. (that I put together from his records: as he trashed everything on return and never claimed his decorations) I only recognize two of the ribbons, the silver star and the Asiatic Pacific campaign with a star. What is the significance of the star? I presume one is the LOM. I don't recognize the victory medal on this. Thanks. GEB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share #27 Posted March 9, 2009 OK, this is far from my area of particular interest. It was the title of the thread that drew me in. Could someone briefly explain the various attributes of this uniform to me. Like, what does the laynard represent. What are the various ribbons. I'm comparing to my fathers bar. (that I put together from his records: as he trashed everything on return and never claimed his decorations) I only recognize two of the ribbons, the silver star and the Asiatic Pacific campaign with a star. What is the significance of the star? I presume one is the LOM. I don't recognize the victory medal on this. Thanks. GEB. The lanyard is the French Fourragere which was given to the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments in WWI. Anybody who serves in either regiment to this day still has the ability to wear it. The top medal is the Silver Star, the next one is the USN/USMC PResidential Unit Citation awarded the 2nd Marine Division for Tarawa and the next is the Marine Selected Reserve. THen three bottom ones are the WWII Victory Medal, the other obligatory ribbon and the Pacific Theatre Ribbon with two battle stars for Tarawa and Apamama. Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popo367 Posted March 10, 2009 Share #28 Posted March 10, 2009 What a story....this really made my day. Thank you so much to everyone for sharing....our world is truly a small world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share #29 Posted March 10, 2009 I would like to thank those who have weighed in on this one and want to especially thank the three daughters of this courageous Marine Lieutenant for their help as we are in the beginning stage of a mutual colloboration to put more of the items, photos, stories together for sake of history and posterity for his sake and others. They want me to make sure that the collecting community knows that the family has not abandoned their father and also let it be known that the daughters have no idea how this uniform left the family. I will keep interested members in this evolving story on updated as more data becomes available. To me, I am an historian first and a collector second and this has really been amazing several days to me as those who know me best here are familiar with my passion and interest in the 2nd Marine Division and their epic struggle on the island of Betio during three days in November of 1943. Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted March 10, 2009 Share #30 Posted March 10, 2009 Kurt - Great "Rest of the story" posts. Congrats - and I hope it continues. You are a Historian ....and a darn good one! Semper Fi.....Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted March 10, 2009 Share #31 Posted March 10, 2009 Yes indeed, Kurt. Please keep us posted on further developments in this VERY interesting story. I love that the family is willing to help, showing their true desire to insure that their fathers service really does mean something to them. Very cool......hope to hear on this one again when you have more to share with us. BTW, those whites are STUNNING!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADMIN Posted March 11, 2009 Share #32 Posted March 11, 2009 Wow! How did I miss this one?! Great thread! Keep us posted on anything else you find out about this guy and his uniform! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share #33 Posted March 11, 2009 Thanks for the positive comments, I am currently planning a trip to meet with the family for more coordination on information and items. Will post more data as it becomes available. Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBMorley Posted July 9, 2009 Share #34 Posted July 9, 2009 I thought Marine Corps regulation only authorized the wearing of SSI on Service Greens and Khakis, not Blues or Whites!?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share #35 Posted July 9, 2009 Authorized perhaps not but done just the same. I need to post his wedding photo of he and his bride as the groom is wearing this exact uniform. Also have seen gyrene officers wearing dress blues with divisional SSIs. KUrt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBMorley Posted July 9, 2009 Share #36 Posted July 9, 2009 Interesting on the SSI . . . beautiful set of whites and I love the rare 3nd Mar Div patch with the golden hand/torch with black 2 . . . NICE!! I'm envious of such a fantastic find!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBMorley Posted July 9, 2009 Share #37 Posted July 9, 2009 Oops, typo . . . I meant 2nd Mar Div patch!! :-) Interesting on the SSI . . . beautiful set of whites and I love the rare 3nd Mar Div patch with the golden hand/torch with black 2 . . . NICE!! I'm envious of such a fantastic find!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ASMIC2971 Posted July 9, 2009 Share #38 Posted July 9, 2009 Wow, Stunning uniform, I wish I had it myself! Its amazing the lengths you are going to keep the history with the whites so that they stay 1LT Fortinberry's dress whites and not just WWII era whites! Congrats on a true find. Drew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share #39 Posted August 3, 2009 Okay, thanks to this brave 1st. Lt.'s daughter Peggy and USMC Raider Girl for help with this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share #40 Posted August 3, 2009 The coup de grace!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share #41 Posted August 3, 2009 God Bless America and the US Marine Corps :thumbsup: Humbly submitted, Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share #42 Posted August 3, 2009 Another cool piece of data I forgot to post is that Devil Dog 34 aka Kevin S was here last year and handled this tunic. He immediately called his Grandfather who served with L-3-6 on Tarawa and he remembered Fortinberry!!! :w00t: Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger Gunner USMC Posted August 3, 2009 Share #43 Posted August 3, 2009 Theres absolutely nothing better than a photo of the vet in the exact uniform in your possession! This is a wonderful piece of Marine Corps history, Thanks for preserving it Kurt! Semper Fi, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted August 3, 2009 Share #44 Posted August 3, 2009 Kurt that is wonderful! I'm speechless! Semper Fi Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEB Posted August 4, 2009 Share #45 Posted August 4, 2009 Thanks for posting this follow up. The portrait is the same picture I remember from Mrs. Fortinberrys funeral service. Funny, I think about Dr. Fortinberry in the neighborhood, perhaps wearing a t-shirt & bermuda shorts, in his late 30s and early 40s, drinking a beer by the bar-b-q, younger than I am now, and he seemed so, well, old. In these pictures, I'm reminded, that the men who have typically gone to war, are by and large, YOUNG men. And many are forever, young. Never having been able to even legally buy a beer. Cheers to you, Dr. Fortinberry. Gary Bachman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted August 4, 2009 Share #46 Posted August 4, 2009 That is a fantastic uniform and great photo. I have seen photos of Marine oficers in dress blues with division SSi but that's the first one I've seen in whites. Outstanding! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBMorley Posted August 4, 2009 Share #47 Posted August 4, 2009 WOW Kurt, GREAT picture to display with the uniform . . . I'm jealous!! What a fantastic addition to your collection. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted August 6, 2009 Share #48 Posted August 6, 2009 Wow, this thread gave me goose bumps! Without a time machine, the odds of this all coming together like it did are just astronomical. Glad it landed in your hands Kurt! What an honor, and you are are just the man for it. Good looking couple too! wow.... :w00t: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted August 6, 2009 Author Share #49 Posted August 6, 2009 Thanks for the comments. I know exactly what you mean Jerry. Was great eating and drinking with you and all a week ago tonight. :thumbsup: Too bad the show wasn't better. :thumbdown: Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share #50 Posted August 1, 2010 For those interested, I just returned from an amazing trip to visit with two of the three Fortenberry daughters, their husbands and the person who reunited us all, Dr. Bachman. Will be posting photos and documents in the near future. Can't thank 1st Lt. Fortenberry's eldest daughter Peggy enough for the gracious invite and hospitality. We read letters, looked at photos and artifacts from noon yesterday until my eyes gave out at approximately 8 pm. For those of who you really know me, you will understand when I state that this visit was better than any vacation to an exotic locale. Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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