Cobra 6 Actual Posted March 28, 2017 Share #1501 Posted March 28, 2017 This is a little different: a leather name tag for a Third Award CIB holder Quite awhile ago rd12 helped me to narrow him down to "Manuel Victor Montezdeoca". Really an interesting guy: served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam; was a Master Sergeant before picking up a commission. He died in 2013 at 96 years old and is buried at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetary. RIP, sir. The name tag is a little dinged up, with some of what look like doggie chew marks on the left side. Still it's a really nice item. Anyone else seen one of these leather name tags with a CIB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted March 30, 2017 Share #1502 Posted March 30, 2017 Here's a similar one from eBay. I think the one Cobra6 posted above was probably worn on a civilian jacket/flight jacket. Is it velcro backed? A great piece, worn proudly by the veteran. The best part is that he had his name embossed on it as well. I look at this in the same way I view CIB bracelets, belt buckles, lighters, etc... a way for combat vets to display their CIB! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted March 30, 2017 Share #1503 Posted March 30, 2017 Here's a similar one from eBay. I think the one Cobra6 posted above was probably worn on a civilian jacket/flight jacket. Is it velcro backed? A great piece, worn proudly by the veteran. The best part is that he had his name embossed on it as well. I look at this in the same way I view CIB bracelets, belt buckles, lighters, etc... a way for combat vets to display their CIB! Thanks for that info, rd12. That name tag is velcro-backed. And, in the absence of any indication that he was ever assigned to an aviation unit or function, I have to agree with you that this was most probably for civilian wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted March 30, 2017 Share #1504 Posted March 30, 2017 Also, very hard to find things attributed to a 3rd award holder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted March 30, 2017 Share #1505 Posted March 30, 2017 rd12, you're right: those Third Award CIB holders are rare ... and, unfortunately, getting rarer as many of them were WWII-Korea-Vietnam combat vets, so they're getting on in years. Obtaining an attributed metal Third Award CIB would be ultra-cool. As only a first award CIB holder, I would bow down to that badge, and what it represents, every night! When I was in Vietnam (1968-1969) we had a Platoon Sergeant that had been in WWII and Korea, plus this was his second tour in Vietnam: what he didn't know about infantry ops wasn't worth knowing. We revered him. When he got wounded a big chunk of our platoon's morale went with him on that Medevac. Whever you are out there, Sergeant Sparks, I want you to know that I finally got my S_ _ _ together ... but, now that I'm in my 70's sometimes I forget where I put it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted April 11, 2017 Share #1506 Posted April 11, 2017 Here a few theater made badges I just added; First one is Iraqi-made from OIF period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted April 11, 2017 Share #1507 Posted April 11, 2017 Another Iraqi badge from same period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted April 11, 2017 Share #1508 Posted April 11, 2017 I was pretty excited to find this one. Most likely Saudi made, put possibly Kuwaiti. This is from the First Gulf War. If you look at the lower corner you can see a little 6-color desert camo pattern. Hand embroidered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted April 11, 2017 Share #1509 Posted April 11, 2017 All nice ones, rd12. I especially like the last one with the M-16 ... another one for my growing "want list." Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted April 13, 2017 Share #1510 Posted April 13, 2017 J. Balme 2nd Award CIB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted April 13, 2017 Share #1511 Posted April 13, 2017 Nice badge Joe, a hard one to find. Can you post a pic of the back, what's in the middle? Is that the pin back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted April 13, 2017 Share #1512 Posted April 13, 2017 Hi rd12, Sorry: that's just a pewter paracord bead in the center. I used it to lift the badge a bit to take the photo of the front. Here's the back: It's a clutch back with the Balme hallmark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakenormanusa Posted April 13, 2017 Share #1513 Posted April 13, 2017 Hi rd12, Sorry: that's just a pewter paracord bead in the center. I used it to lift the badge a bit to take the photo of the front. Here's the back: 25BBF70E-20B8-46C5-99CC-2DB8AA62CEB1.jpg It's a clutch back with the Balme hallmark. I saw where the 1st award version of this badge sold for $600! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted April 13, 2017 Share #1514 Posted April 13, 2017 I saw where the 1st award version of this badge sold for $600! Fortunately, I have a buddy in France that found this one for me at about the equivalent of ~$45 or so. These Balme CIBs do still turn up and without having to sell the house! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted April 14, 2017 Share #1515 Posted April 14, 2017 I saw where the 1st award version of this badge sold for $600! Was that on eBay? I missed it. But that is absolutely crazy. These badges aren't exactly easy to find in the US, but they are out there. I bought mine here on the forum from a member in France. Even after shipping I paid less than $80. But Sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted April 14, 2017 Share #1516 Posted April 14, 2017 Hi rd12, Sorry: that's just a pewter paracord bead in the center. I used it to lift the badge a bit to take the photo of the front. Here's the back: 25BBF70E-20B8-46C5-99CC-2DB8AA62CEB1.jpg It's a clutch back with the Balme hallmark. Thanks Joe, I thought you'd found some crazy screw-back version or something! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted April 14, 2017 Share #1517 Posted April 14, 2017 Thanks Joe, I thought you'd found some crazy screw-back version or something! Nope, Bob, just a bog standard one. And, I agree on the Balme prices. In fact, I picked off a set of 3 Balme jump wings: Basic, Senior, and Master; for $45 total, shipping included, on eBay last year. So, yep, those badges are 'out there' and can be found for reasonable prices, on occasion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakenormanusa Posted April 15, 2017 Share #1518 Posted April 15, 2017 Was that on eBay? I missed it. But that is absolutely crazy. These badges aren't exactly easy to find in the US, but they are out there. I bought mine here on the forum from a member in France. Even after shipping I paid less than $80. But Sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants. Yes. The same seller currently has a 2nd award and an EIB listed as well. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Very-RARE-Balme-Combat-Infantryman-Badge-CIB-Airborne-marked-J-Balme-France-/152432304060?hash=item237dac5fbc:g:U4cAAOSw32lYniKg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted April 24, 2017 Share #1519 Posted April 24, 2017 Just picked this up: Size is 1.25" X 3.25". I think it is a printing or embossing block. Any better guesses are welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted April 25, 2017 Share #1520 Posted April 25, 2017 Here's one I picked up recently, engraved on back with name and serial number Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted April 25, 2017 Share #1521 Posted April 25, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted April 25, 2017 Share #1522 Posted April 25, 2017 Nice one, Bill ... probably can research him, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted April 25, 2017 Share #1523 Posted April 25, 2017 Oh definitely I will, I'll go through golden arrow. I'd love to know what unit he was in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted April 25, 2017 Share #1524 Posted April 25, 2017 Here's one I picked up recently, engraved on back with name and serial number Very cool, always neat to be able to tie a CIB back to its original owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd12 Posted April 27, 2017 Share #1525 Posted April 27, 2017 Just picked this up: Size is 1.25" X 3.25". I think it is a printing or embossing block. Any better guesses are welcome! You've got me scratching my head with that one Joe. Is it heavy enough to be a master die? Is it carved or stamped? Here's a recent bullion purchase of mine. Notice how there isn't a trigger guard, just sort of a sling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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