Dave Posted August 3, 2017 Share #1 Posted August 3, 2017 Well, I can say I never thought I'd be typing the name of this medal in the "Topic Title" space! This was an eBay find...I believe some of you saw it on eBay after it closed and I just about held my breath the entire time it was in transit to me. To be truthful, had I not photographed the SMS Medal that belonged to another forum member on a whim during this last SOS, I wouldn't have known what a real one looked like! That's why it's always good to educate oneself, even in areas you'll never expect to be interested in! I'll post up better photos when I take them, as well as his service file when I receive it. I'm still amazed that I own this... Thanks for looking!Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted August 3, 2017 Reverse photos... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted August 3, 2017 Also, the edge of all of the medals is engraved...just amazing! Thanks for looking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted August 3, 2017 Share #4 Posted August 3, 2017 OUTSTANDING! Congrats on acquiring it! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted August 3, 2017 Share #5 Posted August 3, 2017 WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCR79 Posted August 3, 2017 Share #6 Posted August 3, 2017 A Great Find & Mint Condition Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12A54 Posted August 3, 2017 Share #7 Posted August 3, 2017 Incredible. Beautiful condition, museum quality group. Congrats Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted August 3, 2017 Share #8 Posted August 3, 2017 WOW! Amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decwriter Posted August 3, 2017 Share #9 Posted August 3, 2017 Congrats Dave! That's a super medal grouping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted August 3, 2017 Share #10 Posted August 3, 2017 Oh my ! Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted August 3, 2017 Share #11 Posted August 3, 2017 Dave, In all the years that I have known you, I have seen you uncover some truly amazing pieces as well as groups. This one is undoubtedly the biggest feather in your collecting cap. OUTSTANDING just doesn't do justice to describing this one!!! Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share #12 Posted August 3, 2017 Dave, In all the years that I have known you, I have seen you uncover some truly amazing pieces as well as groups. This one is undoubtedly the biggest feather in your collecting cap. OUTSTANDING just doesn't do justice to describing this one!!! Allan Thanks! I've had a fantastic mentor for nearly 30 years now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniformcollector Posted August 3, 2017 Share #13 Posted August 3, 2017 Dave, I'm not even a medal collector and I can tell that is something special! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 3, 2017 Share #14 Posted August 3, 2017 Rock on Dave! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParanormalTrooper Posted August 4, 2017 Share #15 Posted August 4, 2017 Incredible! Thats every early medal collector's dream Group right there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share #16 Posted August 4, 2017 Guys - thanks for all the kind words! I am truly humbled to be the caretaker of this group. Interestingly, the USS Ericsson only had a compliment of 22, with only two warrant officers, Corino being one of them (only five officers total). The Sampson medal for the Ericsson also was awarded without a bar, as they only participated at Santiago, where he earned his Medal. For only being involved in one major action, they exhibited amazing bravery. From Wikipedia: As war with Spain approached, Ericsson patrolled the Florida Keys, intensified her training operations, and carried messages for the increasing number of the fleet present in the area. She continued this duty after the opening of the war, then on 22 April 1898 began a blockade patrol between Havana and Key West. She joined the fleet at Santiago, Cuba 20 June, and during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba on 3 July, was in the thick of the fight, firing on the Spanish fleet. As the defeated Spanish ships blazed and threatened to explode, Ericsson played a leading part in the rescue efforts through which men of the U.S. Navy that day showed their courage, skill, and determination as clearly as they had in the fighting. She laid herself alongside the Spanish cruiser Vizcaya, ignoring the fact that the Spanish ship's ammunition was already exploding, and that flames were firing the loaded guns. Over 100 Spanish officers and men were thus saved, and more were taken off the flagship Maria Teresa and Oquendo, as Ericsson towed small craft from her squadron's larger ships to the burning hulks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted August 4, 2017 Share #17 Posted August 4, 2017 His remains reside in Arlington National Cemetery. See Find A Grave. 1 March 1919 Navy Directory indicates: Ch Mach (Ret.) Fore River S.B. Co Quincy Mass ( Asst Inspr Machy ) Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted August 4, 2017 Share #18 Posted August 4, 2017 Dave, An incredibly rare group...congratulations! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMcollector Posted August 4, 2017 Share #19 Posted August 4, 2017 Wow Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-o MSU Posted August 4, 2017 Share #20 Posted August 4, 2017 Geez Dave...nice find! Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted August 4, 2017 Share #21 Posted August 4, 2017 Heartiest congrats!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmpmstr Posted August 4, 2017 Share #22 Posted August 4, 2017 Dave congratulations and welcome to the club. It is beyond words to see her and part if a spectacular grouping. You are the Midas when it comes to this. I'm thrilled for you, it is serendipitous that this came to you; like a home or pet, groups like this choose their caretaker from the good people that are deserving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerialbridge Posted August 4, 2017 Share #23 Posted August 4, 2017 Probably the best score in terms of not just a fraction of its worth (I'd say 15%) but dollars saved for what's it's worth that I've seen in the last 10 years for a Navy medal on ebay. Black gold.....Texas tea..... BIN Bonanza. "ebay been bery, bery good to you!". To that seller that really hadn't much of a clue..........not so much. Helluva dream group, enjoy researching it, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted August 4, 2017 Share #24 Posted August 4, 2017 I bet the "Free Shipping" totally sealed the deal for you when you were considering clicking the BIN, Dave! I have to say this is probably the best score I have ever seen. Amazing. This is a case where a little bit of knowledge cost the seller a lot of $$$$. Based on his other items, he does deal in military items. He probably sees Sampson Medals going for around $1500. And he figures the others average a couple hundred each. So, $2500 "is a good round number" for a quick sale. Would have been interesting to see how high an auction would have gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted August 4, 2017 Share #25 Posted August 4, 2017 Wow Dave, congratulations on this spectacular grouping! Truly one of the nicest SMS groupings I have ever seen.......doesn't really get much better than than this one. Look forward to seeing more of this great group and hearing more detail once you receive his service file. Congrats again on this grouping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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