New group - Navy or Marine Corps Officer? - I'm still learning!

[Packard1969]

Hello Guys!

 

I purchased this group today - nothing outstanding, and sadly not attributed, but not bad for a fairly new collection (and at the right price!) by a UK collector!

 

Looking at the awards, I'm guessing the group was to a Navy or Marine Corps Officer? (based on the absence of GCM and inclusion of the MSM). Am I on the right tracks here? Still learning here and always keen to pick up as much knowledge as I can!

 

Would be grateful for any help!

 

Thanks for you help guys!

 

 

 

[Dave]

Could be either. I'm guessing a 20-year O-5 of either service. The NDSM should have a star on it, but otherwise it looks like a fairly complete group for someone who served from say, 1990 to maybe 2010 or so.

 

The only thing that could sway me to thinking it was a USMC officer is the lack of personal awards. The Navy and USMC are generally stingy...but in the Navy, if you don't recieve a personal award after each tour, it means you pretty much failed at that tour. With only three personal awards during a 20-year career...that's pretty remarkable.

 

Of course, the group may not be complete and stars (representing multiple awards) could be missing...so unfortunately, we will never know for sure.

 

Dave

[Packard1969]

Thanks Dave!

 

It's good to know I was on the right track!

 

So possibly a Lieut. Col. USMC or Commander USN. I'll have to look out for a star to add to the NDSM!

 

Thanks again, really appreciate your help

[Kaigun Shosa]

This definitely is a Navy group. As Dave mentioned possibly to a Commander (O-5) or Captain (O-6).

[Jarhead8007]

Also, Marine Corps stars are supposed to go up and down and Navy stars go across. IMHO, it's either a put together or incomplete. Dave's got it on the big red flag - the NDSM would have a minimum of one star if it covers the period for which the other service medals were awarded: NDSM was awarded for for the Gulf War from 1990-1995 and for GWOT from 2001-present. If he/she served through both (as indicated by the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Kuwait) and the GWOT Expeditionary and Service medals), there should be a star on the NDSM. Also, I'm not quite sure how one would earn two stars on the SWASM but no Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia).

[Packard1969]

Thanks guys! All valuable detai