Dave Posted March 11, 2016 Share #1 Posted March 11, 2016 I just got this in on Wednesday. I've always loved Silver Lifesaving Medals, but I could never justify buying one as they aren't really along the lines of anything I collect (which is very little!) They are one of those things where, if I won the lotto, I'd have a nice collection of them...but until then... The week after the SOS, I was up in the Pacific NW, and was just settling into my hotel room after spending part of the day with the family of a three-star general whose awards I photographed for my book. I hopped on the computer and on a whim, checked the BINs...and saw these. I was pretty shocked they were there and jumped on them right off. While the Silver Lifesaving Medal isn't complete, for the price I paid for it...I don't really have an issue with its condition. More importantly, the story of how this man earned his medals is outstanding - he was a civilian rigger working on a Navy destroyer when one of the sailors fell overboard. Fully clothed, he jumped in and saved his life. Having been to Charlestown (home of the USS Constitution) multiple times over the years, the event and medals have an even greater meaning to me. I'm very happy to have these in my collection! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted March 11, 2016 Here's his Massachusetts life saving medal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted March 11, 2016 A newspaper article about the event... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted March 11, 2016 And finally, his obituary. Turns out he "saw the light" and moved to California late in life... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted March 11, 2016 Share #5 Posted March 11, 2016 Beautiful and very rare medals Dave. Lucky find! Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 11, 2016 Share #6 Posted March 11, 2016 Outstanding Dave! I love seeing good Ebay BIN finds! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted March 11, 2016 Share #7 Posted March 11, 2016 Very nice group with a good back story. I need to start looking at BIN listings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67Rally Posted March 11, 2016 Share #8 Posted March 11, 2016 Those are pretty cool, Dave! Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gumshoe Posted March 11, 2016 Share #9 Posted March 11, 2016 Nice one Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted March 11, 2016 Share #10 Posted March 11, 2016 Great group...and you got to keep it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted March 11, 2016 Share #11 Posted March 11, 2016 Wonderful medals! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-Cal Posted March 11, 2016 Share #12 Posted March 11, 2016 Very nice great to see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted March 11, 2016 Great group...and you got to keep it... The guy sent them via First Class mail, and they ended up getting delayed in the mail...I started thinking that yet another seller had backed out! Luckily, it was not the case, and even more luckily, the package got to me torn up, but with the contents still there. Whew! Thank you for all the complements! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted March 11, 2016 Share #14 Posted March 11, 2016 Dave, Great looking group of medals and nice research. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted March 11, 2016 Share #15 Posted March 11, 2016 Very nice! Would seem to make up for that earlier debacle with your other Ebay BIN (KIA USN PH). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskjl Posted March 11, 2016 Share #16 Posted March 11, 2016 Congrats Dave, I have been looking for one of these for a while and not been so fortunate. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted March 11, 2016 Share #17 Posted March 11, 2016 Oh man, great find Dave! I have never seen a two for one deed like that as well, pretty darn cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swabbie Posted March 11, 2016 Share #18 Posted March 11, 2016 Couldn't happen to a better man, Dave! I second Robert -- now keep it! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javelin4life Posted March 11, 2016 Share #19 Posted March 11, 2016 I sexond looking into the BIN listings..amazing medals!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted March 12, 2016 Share #20 Posted March 12, 2016 Really great finds...congratulations! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerialbridge Posted March 12, 2016 Share #21 Posted March 12, 2016 Wonderful medals and research, Dave. I like the period newspaper articles documenting his heroism and the award. He wasn't a kid- 52 years old and dove in fully clothed to rescue a fully clothed, and probably flailing, man. One tough Viking. That Massachusetts Life Saving medal, I'm guessing is a rare bird. Beautiful design and symbolism. http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=116778566 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted March 12, 2016 Share #22 Posted March 12, 2016 Very nice find! Karma at work! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheriffsgt Posted March 12, 2016 Share #23 Posted March 12, 2016 Very nice score that's why I love Ebay. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted March 12, 2016 Share #24 Posted March 12, 2016 One of the most beautiful medals out there. Excellent find Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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