crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Having been drawn to this forum because I saw a nice history written about my great grandfather and grandfather here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/278728-two-months-and-two-generations-to-eternity-the-shanes-the-shark-ss-174-and-a-sampson/ I thought it would be appropriate to contribute a bit. I've had my grandfather's WWII medals for many years. My dad let me put these metals into a display case maybe when I was around 10-12 years old. I don't recall exactly. I was young and it's certainly been over maybe 40 years or more since I opened this case up. I has been proudly displayed on my book case in my old bedroom at my parents house all that long. I opened it today and as time permits I'll post closeups on the fronts and backs of each. I also found the box that the Purple Heart came in as well as a letter for the US Navy describing the 4 other medals. I have not yet found any letter that I suppose would have come with the Purple Heart. Anyway, to start, here is the case that the medals have been in for so may years. Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 Starting with the Purple Hart, Here is the front. Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 And here is the back. I don't know why it's so discolored. Unfortunate. Oh Well it is what it is. Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 The Purple Heart came in this box. Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 I found a letter from the Navy where the 4 other medals are described. It's printed front and back. Here is side 1 Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 Here is the other side of the letter above. Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 The first of the other 4 medals that appear to me to be general medals: Asiatic Pacific Campaign The Front Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Wow...just read both threads, small world! Crazyfingers, thanks for sharing your grandfather's medals. The discoloration on the reverse of your medal is what typically happens when the material the medal is resting on (or in this case, appeared to be glued to) got wet and ate away at the gilt finish. It's sadly irreparable damage, and as you say, it is what it is...I have a similar Purple Heart in my collection and have seen many more over the years. I'm very glad you joined this forum and added additional info about your family. For those of us who love the research aspect, this is really an amazing opportunity to hear the "rest of the story". Thanks again- Dave Only a weak society needs government protection or intervention before it pursues its resolve to preserve the truth. Truth needs neither handcuffs nor a badge for its vindication. -Supreme Court Justice Anthony KennedyPeace is not the absence of war, but the defense of hard-won freedom. -Anton LaGuardia Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 The Back of the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 Wow...just read both threads, small world! Crazyfingers, thanks for sharing your grandfather's medals. The discoloration on the reverse of your medal is what typically happens when the material the medal is resting on (or in this case, appeared to be glued to) got wet and ate away at the gilt finish. It's sadly irreparable damage, and as you say, it is what it is...I have a similar Purple Heart in my collection and have seen many more over the years. I'm very glad you joined this forum and added additional info about your family. For those of us who love the research aspect, this is really an amazing opportunity to hear the "rest of the story". Thanks again- Dave Hey thanks. And thanks for fixing my misspelling on the title. I don't know a lot about military medals. Other than the Purple Heart, which my grandfather got when the Submarine USS Shark SS-174 that he was commanding was sung by a Japanese destroyer in the early days of WWII, I assume everyone who participated in the various campaigns and such got one. But I'm glad that everyone who served received their earned recognition. But they are in good condition at least! Link to post Share on other sites
kcmo Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Great submarine group to a skipper of the boat. Great that you have had it displayed over all these years. I would echo Dave's comments on the back of the purple heart. I would also say it was displayed standing up as the ribbon has stretched out some as that could be seen from what appears to be the glue mark in the case. I have a couple of purple heart medals for members of the second USS Shark (SS-314) that was lost in 1944. This is the first I've seen from the original Shark. Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 American Campaign Front Link to post Share on other sites
tdogchristy90 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 From left to right it looks like you have "American Defense", "Victory Medal", "American Campaign", "Asiatic Campaign", and "Purple Heart". The Purple Heart is given for wounds received or for being killed in action. You could probably talk to someone and see about ordering his Military Records from the National Archives. That might help a lot in determining how his medals were awarded. Either way, great grouping. Thanks. Wanted: Missouri Medals I am always in search of Missouri Medals and Items. This could be anything from WW1, WW2, Prisoners of War, Ephemera, or anything pertaining to Missourians. I thank you for your time and consideration. -Without a witness, they just disappear.- Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 American Campaign BACK Going to take a break for a bit. Will post the other two later. Link to post Share on other sites
aerialbridge Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 A most historic Purple Heart and group. Thank you for posting it. Your grand-father was the skipper of the first submarine lost in combat with all hands during WW2 and the two WW2 USS Sharks were the only submarines with the same name that were lost during the war. RIP. Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 I guess that this is the most general of all of them all World War II Front. Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 World War II Back Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 Or maybe this is even more general Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 Back Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 And finally, this is this little Fleet pin. I expect that most people here are well familiar with all of the medals I posted. I hope that they are of some interest. If anyone knows what the Fleet pin may be, I'd be interested. I don't know anything about where it came from. Link to post Share on other sites
aerialbridge Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 The Fleet bar goes on the American Defense medal. Link to post Share on other sites
crazyfingers Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 Neat! Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
GIKyle Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Thanks so much for posting! Outside the Purple Heart, believe the Navy sent the other medals at the end of the war to families of the dead. A nice gesture not replicated by the Army unless specifically requested. Link to post Share on other sites
scottplen Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Wow outstanding piece of history ! Link to post Share on other sites
KASTAUFFER Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Thank you for posting your Grandfather's medals! I am so glad they have been treasured and kept by your family. Was your family from Winthrop WA? Kurt !!!! WANTED !!!! WWII Prisoner of War items : Medals, Mail, Diaries, Photos, Documents, Scrapbooks + More WWII Naval Aviation Groupings : Medals, Documents, Scrapbooks, Photos, Flight Logs, Flight Jackets + More Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now