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  1. FORUM NEWS & HELP

    1. NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS

      If you've just signed up as a member, feel free to stop in here and post an introduction about yourself, your collection, or any other information you wish to share with this community.

      POSTS IN THIS FORUM DO NOT INCREASE YOUR FORUM POST COUNT

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    2. FORUM ANNOUNCEMENTS

      Check in for announcements, important alerts, and new feature intros from the Administrators.

      247
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    3. FORUM HELP

      Having trouble with a portion of the board? Go ahead and post it here so we can help. *This board is for tech questions about the site, not item ID or help questions.

      2.1k
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      • SGM (ret.)
    4. SUGGESTIONS & COMMENTS

      Have a suggestion or comment about the website? Feel free to post it here. *This is for forum tech/running issues, etc. Please post thoughts or questions about items or sellers in the proper boards.

      523
      posts
      • stratasfan
  2. COLLECTION ASSISTANCE

    1. LATEST FINDS

      Been to a sale and got a great haul to show off? Feel free to post pics here! *Please note that ALL posts in this board are deleted 30 days after posting. Any discussion should be done in separate thread(s) posted in the proper section.

        In Memory of Bob Hudson 

      2.3k
      posts
    2. REAL OR WHAT?

      It's sometimes hard to tell the real from the fake, especially when you only have online photos to go by: if you have a question or suspicion, post it here.

      58.3k
      posts
    3. WHAT'S IT WORTH?

      USMF's Own Online UNOFFICIAL Appraisal Forum

      DISCLAIMER: THE USMF IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY APPRAISALS POSTED HERE, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE USED TO ABSOLUTELY DETERMINE SALE PRICE OR INSURANCE VALUE. Please read this before posting.

      3.9k
      posts
    4. FAMILY SEARCHES AND RETURNS

      Have an item you'd like to return to family? Are you looking for an item that belonged to a particular family service member? Post here!

       

      USMF Members: This section is dedicated to highlighting the items that have been returned to recipients/ owners or their families by our membership or items that forum members would like to attempt to return to the original recipient/owner or families or for family members to post ISO queries when searching for missing family items. We will also redirect inquiries from families who join here because of posted items. This section will allow any member to post or list named medals, uniforms, helmets, etc. they wish to be reconnected to the families that could be searching. As always, you as a member have no requirement to respond to contacts about items you post on the forum. If it happens and you are not interested in getting involved, contact a Mod or Admin and they will intercede in your behalf.

      Always proceed with caution and feel comfortable in your contact with parties when returning items. This section is completely VOLUNTARY

      1.9k
      posts
  3. PRE-WWII

    1. (1776-1860) AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WAR OF 1812, MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR, AMERICAN INDIAN WARS TO 1865

      For US Militaria of the American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican-American War and Indian Wars eras - 1776-1860.

      1.4k
      posts
    2. (1861-1865) AMERICAN CIVIL WAR - The War Between the States

      For US Militaria of the American Civil War era, 1861-1865.

      9.4k
      posts
    3. (1866-1890) PLAINS INDIAN WARS - Westward Expansion

      For US Militaria of the "Indian Wars" era - 1866-1890.

      3.2k
      posts
    4. (1898-1916) SPANISH AMERICAN WAR, BOXER REBELLION, PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION, MEXICAN BORDER SERVICE TO 1916

      For US Militaria of the 1898 - 1916 era (including Spanish-American War, Boxer Rebellion, Mexican Border, etc.).

      4k
      posts
    5. (1917-1919) WORLD WAR ONE, RUSSIAN INTERVENTION

      For US Militaria of the World War One era (The Great War) - 1917-1919.

      20.4k
      posts
    6. (1920-1940) THE INTERWAR YEARS, BANANA WARS, HAWAIIAN DIVISION, CHINA SERVICE to 1940

      For US Militaria of 1920 - 1940 period (including Banana Wars, Hawaiian Division, etc.).

      1.6k
      posts
    7. UNIFORM BUTTONS   (32,933 visits to this link)

  4. CLOTHING & GEAR

    1. GROUPINGS PAGE

      Having a hard time deciding where to post your latest grouping, which includes items of all types? Why not post your groupings here!

       In Memory of Bob Gill (aka 'BobGee') 

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      posts
    2. UNIFORMS

      This section contains all types of dress and combat uniforms AND items associated with a uniform to include head gear, foot gear, under clothing and all other clothing accessories.

       In Memory of Gil Sanow

      156.2k
      posts
    3. AVIATION CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

      For flight suits, flight jackets, flight helmets, parachutes, and more. PLEASE POST DRESS UNIFORMS IN THE UNIFORM SECTION.

      37.4k
      posts
    4. 96.1k
      posts
    5. FIELD & PERSONAL GEAR SECTION

      Post any type of equipment or field gear, including packs, pistol belts, etc. and any type of personal gear, like rations, lighters, soap, shaving cream, etc. NOTE: Holsters can be found in the Firearms & Ordnance section.

       In Memory of Craig Pickrall (aka 'craig_pickrall') 

      83.1k
      posts
    6. BASE/BIVOUAC/CAMP/DEPOT ITEMS

      For base/bivouac/camp/depot/etc. type items, including but not limited to sleeping systems, cooking pots, mess hall cutlery, blankets, foot lockers, wall lockers, tents, field desks, coffee pots, bunk beds, flags, pennants, standards, burgees, guidons, etc.

      4.4k
      posts
  5. MEDALS, SHOULDER SLEEVE & METAL INSIGNIA

    1. 194.3k
      posts
    2. 132.9k
      posts
    3. 21.4k
      posts
    4. BADGES, AWARDS, DUI, AND COLLAR BRASS

      If you like qualification badges, distinctive unit insignias, or collar brass, then step inside! It is all right in one place! Anything not covered in the listed sub-boards should be posted directly in the "BADGES & AWARDS" board.

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      posts
    5. 11.7k
      posts
    6. MARINE CORPS EGA DISCUSSION

      For for US Marine Corps EGA / EG&A / Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblems from all periods. 

        In Memory of Gary Mohrlang 

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      posts
    7. WING BADGES

      This section is for the display and discussion of U.S. military related wing badges. So, if you are a wing collector, then step inside!

      58.1k
      posts
    8. HALLMARKS

      This section includes photographic illustrations and / or information regarding the manufacturer codes and hallmarks seen on various types of U.S. military insignia. 

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      posts
  6. FIREARMS, ORDNANCE & EDGED WEAPONS

    1. FIREARMS

      Post all types of firearms and firearm accessories, such as ammo, magazines and clips, gun parts, slings, holsters, and ordnance .

      14.1k
      posts
    2. EDGED WEAPONS

      Post any type of knives, bayonets, swords, or other edged weapons.

         In Memory of Greg Robinson   

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      posts
    3. ORDNANCE

      For posting any type of Ordnance, including (but not limited to) artillery, cannons, mortars, bazookas, rocket launchers, recoilless rifles, mines, hand grenades, rifle grenades, smoke generators and pots, demolition charges and equipment, pyrotechnics and signal/flare projectors, chemical warfare items, anti-submarine explosives, and aerial bombs and rockets.

      4.4k
      posts
  7. VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT & SHIPS

    1. MILITARY AIRCRAFT & AVIATION

      This section is for posting items, information, pictures, etc. on U.S. military aircraft or military aviation.

      24.7k
      posts
    2. 9k
      posts
    3. MILITARY VEHICLES

      Post all vehicle information, manuals, pictures, etc.

      17.6k
      posts
  8. HOMEFRONT & VETERANS

    1. HOMEFRONT & THE WAR EFFORT

      Feel free to post any items from the war effort and the homefront struggle to support to the troops abroad.

      16k
      posts
    2. VETERAN RECOLLECTIONS

      Have interviews, letters, or other direct-from-the-veteran information that you wish to share with the community? Feel free to post it here!

      4k
      posts
    3. VETERANS' ORGANIZATIONS

      Post any type and any period of veterans' organization items here.

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      posts
    4. 1.2k
      posts
    5. SPOILS OF WAR

      For bringback items found in duffle bags, footlockers, etc. PLEASE DO NOT POST YOUR ENTIRE NON US COLLECTION.

       

      This section is for foreign items, enemy or allied, brought back by a US soldier, sailor or airman. Preferably these posts include the story of the serviceman who brought them home. Items clearly marked as war prizes or are accompanied by capture papers are also acceptable. Items posted that do not meet these criteria may be removed.

      19k
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    6. UNOFFICIAL MILITARY AWARDS (PLAQUES, STEINS, CUPS, CIGARETTE / CIGAR CASES & LIGHTERS, ETC)

      For UNOFFICIAL MILITARY AWARDS including (but not limited to) Steins, Cups, Plaques, Cigarette and Cigar cases, Cigarette Lighters (Zippos and other brands), Swagger Sticks, etc.

      6.3k
      posts
    7. TAPS

      A section for members to post memorials and in memoriam posts. Also, if you know a Forum member has passed away, please post the notice here and include their username.

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  9. MILITARIA MISC.

    1. CHAPLAINS & MEDICS

      For any discussions about the Chaplains Corps and Medical Corps (including but not limited to Chaplain's gear, chapels, personal medic’s gear, any type of hospital equipment, insignia, pamphlets, photographs, posters, groupings, stretchers, field gear, hospital beds and items, etc.) and anything related to their service with the US Armed Forces. Additional topics could include shell shock, trauma, battle fatigue, moral injury morale, and other conditions and/or diseases dealt with by the military. 

      6.9k
      posts
    2. MILITARY EDUCATION & TRAINING

      For any item pertaining to any US Military Academy (i.e. West Point), Colleges, Schools, ROTC (both High School and College), Training Fields/Bases (i.e. Camp Lee, Chanute Field), etc. Whether you are interested in Texas AMC or Chanute Field . . . come right in and discuss anything about all items relating to the above.

      486
      posts
    3. BASES, AIRFIELDS, FACILITIES, AND INDUSTRIAL SITES

      For posts related to Bases, Airfields, Facilities, and Industrial Sites.

      1.3k
      posts
    4. EPHEMERA, PHOTOGRAPHS & MILITARY ARTWORK

      Post any paper documents, newspapers, illustrations, photographs and military artwork.

       In Memory of Eric Queen

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      posts
    5. WOMEN'S SERVICES

      This section is a section for items related to the female/women's services, including WAACs, WACs, WAVES, SPARs, USMC Women's Reserve, American Red Cross, and USO.

      7.3k
      posts
    6. PRISONERS OF WAR / P.O.W.'S

      This section is for items used, issued, worn, etc. by prisoners of war.

       

      Any US items issued by the US to AXIS P.O.W.'s are also allowed here.

      4.7k
      posts
    7. AMERICANS IN FOREIGN SERVICE

      For militaria of Americans who served with (or in) Foreign armies and formations.

      906
      posts
    8. ANIMALS IN SERVICE

      For anything related to dogs/pigeons/horses/mules/mascots (any animal) in the service of the US Military.  Including, but not limited to, animal specific equipment, handler groupings, photographs, documents, manuals, insignia, etc. 

      933
      posts
    9. METAL DETECTING AND RELICS

      Post any metal detector finds or relics that have been discovered! US items only, please. NOTE: Threads in this board are automatically deleted after six months of no activity.

      354
      posts
    10. REENACTING GROUPS & REPRO GEAR

      Want to share a great piece of repro gear? Want to show off your reenacting impression or talk about the latest reenactment you've been to? This is the board to post anything about reenacting or repro gear! NOTE: Threads in this board are automatically deleted after six months of no activity.

      2.7k
      posts
    11. MISC MILITARIA

      If you have a US military item that does not fit any of the above categories, then feel free to post it in this section.

      77.3k
      posts
  10. HISTORICAL DISCUSSION

    1. MILITARY HISTORY DISCUSSIONS

      Want to discuss U.S. military history, such as historical personalities or battles? Step inside here and post away.

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      posts
    2. MUSEUMS, BATTLEFIELDS, AND MONUMENTS

      Share your travels and photos of military museums, battlefields, memorials and cemeteries. US and overseas locations involving US military history welcome.

       

      10.6k
      posts
  11. INTERNATIONAL MILITARIA & HISTORICAL DISCUSSION

    1. INTERNATIONAL MILITARIA & HISTORICAL DISCUSSION   (38,067 visits to this link)

      NOTE: Clicking here takes you to our sister forum, the WMF, which requires a free WMF account to post.

  12. COLLECTION MAINTENANCE AND DISPLAY

    1. DISPLAY IDEAS

      Have a great display or a great idea for one? Feel free to post those things here!

      317
      posts
    2. PRESERVATION

      Have a great preservation / conservation idea or need advice on preservation / conservation? If so, then this is the place. So, go ahead and step inside!

      9.4k
      posts
  13. HOBBIES & ENTERTAINMENT

    1. MODELING

      Like military models and modeling? Then this is the place for you! Share your creations, learn techniques, and just have fun!

      21k
      posts
    2. TOYS & GAMES

      Post your military-themed toys and games! Including Toy soldiers, Soldier dolls, Board games, Spotter card games, GI Joes, etc.

      1.8k
      posts
    3. BOOK REPORTS

      Got a fiction or non-fiction book you wish to tell others about? Be it a good or bad report, we'd love for you to post your thoughts here.

       In Memory of Roger Bender 

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      posts
    4. MOVIE & TV REVIEWS

      Got a movie or television show, series or documentary that you wish to tell others about? Be it a good or bad report, we'd love for you to post your thoughts here. Also, please feel free to post foreign movies that involve the US military and/or US servicemen.

      14.8k
      posts
  14. SOCIAL MISC.

    1. EVENTS CALENDAR

      Know of a militaria show, veterans reunion, or other interesting event? Feel free to post it here.

      1.5k
      posts
    2. WHERE TO VISIT, PLACES TO BUY MILITARIA WHILE TRAVELING

      Where to visit, places to visit, military shop locations, places to buy militaria while traveling.

       

      For questions and suggestions of places to visit. Please start your thread title with the name of the state your post focuses on.

       

       

      1.6k
      posts
  • Current Donation Goals

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  • Recent Posts

    • jumpship
      To add to what eagle mtn has shared, I found two “Howard S Litz.” One from Tennessee, who did not serve during WWII, based on his Korean War draft card; another, from Napa, CA, who did.   Ancestry and newspapersdotcom   Unfortunately, I can’t tie him to the service number.   If this is him and he stayed with the 612th Ord Bn as the war progressed, then he may be listed on a roster in the publication below. However, I was not able to locate an open access copy to confirm that. A number of copies are for sale at a rather high price. 
    • BadBeagle
      Like everyone who is aware of the existence of the General Order of June 10, 1820 that sets down a complicated series of new uniform regulations including four (4) new regulations for navy uniform buttons, I, too, wish that the General Order had included an illustration of each of the buttons, identified as "button No. 1," button No. 2," button No. 3" and button No. 4."  There was no "button No. 5."  The Marine Corps button was later prescribed in 1821 and three Marine buttons were produced during the 1820s with the "No. 5" on the back of the button.  But, alas, this drawing has never surfaced.  No one has yet found the period drawings that correspond with the General Order of 1820.  Someone later added drawing (probably a tracing) along with a type-written explanation for the buttons, but this drawing cannot be considered part of the General Order of 1820, despite it being correct.  It's just a later note included in the records.   This being said, we still have the General Order of June 10, 1820 along with perhaps over a hundred buttons that were prescribed by this order, were produced during the 1820s, and were worn by Navy officers, a good number of them with numbers (No. 1 thru No.5) consistently stamped on the backs.  These two artifacts –– the General Order and the existing buttons –– give us a sort of Rosetta Stone to determine what buttons were worn by which officers of the U.S. Navy during the decade of the 1820s.   The Firm of Lewis & Tomes was in business in England from 1816-1833 and in New York from 1819-1826.  The vast majority of their American buttons listed are for the US Navy.  They produced a series of five (5) buttons with identical backmarks (No. 1 thru No.5), and the only change was the number.  If you are fortunate enough to possess one of each in your collection, you can line them up and understand intuitively that each number corresponds to the numbers on the General Order (except for the later Marine button that was added later).  These five buttons were the official buttons of the United States Navy during the 1820s.  They were the INTENTION of the drafters of the General Order of 1820.  Can I say this any stronger or with any more certainty?   If you don't like Lewis & Tome, then you can do the same with the five (5) buttons of Wise, Bielby, and Hyde, a partnership dating around the mid-1820s that produced ONLY these five (5) "numbered" buttons, no others listed of any kind.  These, too, are in perfect concordance with the General Order.  And then you have William Wallace who produced the same series, most with numbers (I'm unsure about No.2, though Wallace did produce two (2) them without numbers).  And then you have Adam Spies and Joseph Mann who worked together to produce their own series of the No.1 thru No.4, most of them with numbers.  The only difference between in all these five buttons in four production lines is that one of the Marine buttons has 15 stars instead of 13.  This, to me, seems pretty conclusive.  Don't you agree?  The fronts and the backs are consistent.   Then you have other buttons of the period that follow the pattern but without numbers, some of them produced by the same four (4) companies listed above.  Lewis & Tomes, for example, produced a number of buttons with "No. L&T" but no number.  One has "No. L&T" and "No. 4!"  Mann produced numbered "quality marked" buttons without the firm's name.  And then you have a number of buttons apparently produced before 1820, many of them with 16 stars (as opposed to the quasi-official 13 stars) produced by the firms listed above.  And, of course, you have the No. 1 buttons that were probably only produced after 1830 in accordance with the new order prescribing only one button (the No. 1 button) for all officers of the U.S. Navy.  It helps if you have a good selection of these buttons to actually look at as opposed to written words and comments that are outside the General Order and the buttons themselves.   The General Order of 1820 is an important document in the sense that it identifies the navy buttons of 1820, the early navy buttons on the 1830s, and is brings in many buttons with round and spade shields that are often confused with pre-1815 buttons.  We have to remember the Albert knew virtually nothing of the General Order of 1820 in 1976 when his last book was published, and I do not recall ever hearing of this before 2010 when most navy collectors sort of shrugged it off as speculation.  "Nice theory," they said.   Perhaps the missing "original" drawings of 1820 will show up one day.  Perhaps not.  Perhaps never.  You also have to remember that the General Order was given, at the time, to newly commissioned officers in order to get their uniforms correctly made.  They were instructions!  And the proper numbered button could be found on the back of the button.  People in the business knew what this meant.  Today, all we can do is keep a sharp eye out for any unlisted buttons of this period that have not been identified and fold them into the mix.  There are still unknown navy buttons out there.   We know exactly what the numbered buttons of the General Order of June 10, 1820 look like!    
    • m151mp
      the type of equipment and uniform used varied largely based on where the MP was posted, and what his duties were at the time. this is a common picture of an MP not in a combat role. my stateside uniform was vastly different than what i used as a convoy escort MP in viet nam. the pictures i have of WW2 MPs show a wide variety of gear. when they enter into a combat role, they are given a certain amount of latitude in their choices of equipment.
    • pathfinder11
      I have been reconstructing a list of those Americans who received the Order of Prince Danilo I, the Medal for Military Bravery, and Medal for Zeal. General of the Armies John J. Pershing was the only recipient of the Obilitch Medal. As of this post, I have identified ..   Obilitch Medal = 1/1 Order of Danilo I = 110/125 Medal for Military Bravery = 86/94 Medal for Zeal = 3/10   My main focus has been on Danilo and Medal for Military Bravery. I am happy to share my databases with you. Please send me a private message!
    • braxbrad
      greetings what is a 3rd balloon co history worth best condocat
    • Uniforms of the Day
      Thanks for that Beast!
    • BEAST
      Very nice jacket! I think the first name is August (Aug).
    • manayunkman
      The family did not know.
    • eagle mtn
      Here is what i was able to find in the national archives in about 15 minutes. I types in his ASN but made sure to use a “zero” instead of an “O” (0270381).    it would appear your man was in the Quartermaster corps and soent some time in Sicily and Italy before returning to the states for a training assignment in May 1944  
    • iron bender
      I think I know where this sword's twin lives. It'll be Saturday before I can get over there, but I'll get pics when I do.
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