Lost Cause? Engraved type-1 Navy China Service Medal

[MMcollector]

Grabbed this from a seller I've purchased several medals from recently. Period Engraved on the reverse "T.J.P. 1939" any advice how going about trying to find the recipient by his initials? First engraved type-1 China Service I have ever seen. I've always wondered if the Navy was still giving rim engraving orders with medals in the late 1930's? Thanks for looking.

 

[Adam R]

Not necessarily a lost cause but probably cost prohibitive. It would involve reviewing the muster rolls for all 45 ships that qualified for the medal in 1939. The MRs are at the Archives in DC. You would need to order copies to review yourself or hire a local researcher to review them for you. I'd estimate that either option would cost a minimum of $10 per ship. $10 x 45 ships = $450.

Probably not a wise investment. I'm not aware of any other records that would identify a potential recipient.

[Adam R]

Here's a similar example from my collection. Having a full name and specific ship made it a "doable" research project. I used the Muster Roll for the USS John D. Ford to get Burke's service number. Then I was able to send a FOIA request to St. Louis. (The photocopied page isn't from the ship MR. It was copied from Burke's service file in St. Louis.)

[KASTAUFFER]

There are some 1939 Muster Rolls on Fold3 and Ancestry, but I don't think they have all of them from 1939. You can go through them by ship,

 

Kurt

[Wharfmaster]

Could be an Officer too.

 

 

 

Wharf

[MMcollector]

Thanks for the suggestions Adam, Kurt, & Wharf. I will be exploring all options to identify the recipient.

 

Adam, do you know when the Navy stopped issuing rim engraving orders?

[MMcollector]

I appreciate your point of view, I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes, I do see your point. I don't think anything I say will appease this situation, and I choose to walk away from a open back and forth with anyone on this forum. If you feel the need to talk further in private, I would be open to that.

[Adam R]

Adam, do you know when the Navy stopped issuing rim engraving orders?

 

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "rim engraving orders". Until at least September 1937 transmittal letters contained a statement that the recipient was authorized to engrave his name, rank and ship on the rim at his own expense. By mid 1938 transmittal letters for the Expeditionary Medal no longer include this statement.

 

Issue of the China Service Medal didn't start until later 1942 or early 1943. I only have one CSM transmittal letter, from Jan 1943, and it doesn't contain a statement authorizing the recipient to engrave the medal.

 

[Adam R]

CSM letter

[MMcollector]

 

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "rim engraving orders". Until at least September 1937 transmittal letters contained a statement that the recipient was authorized to engrave his name, rank and ship on the rim at his own expense. By mid 1938 transmittal letters for the Expeditionary Medal no longer include this statement.

 

Issue of the China Service Medal didn't start until later 1942 or early 1943. I only have one CSM transmittal letter, from Jan 1943, and it doesn't contain a statement authorizing the recipient to engrave the medal.

 

 

Thanks Adam, that answers my questions.

[tarbridge]

Hello all...I have cleaned this thread up considerably. EBay items on auction are never guaranteed you will end up the owner and if you see something you have strong interest, you had better inform the seller.There are different thoughts pro and con on the forum on the contacting and ending auctions early...one fence ...two sides.So let's agree it happens...for the good of it or the bad of it.Please have fun and learn on the forum.