carnut63 Posted February 19, 2021 Share #1 Posted February 19, 2021 First I apologize for not posting more, the collecting hobby has been slow this year. I am doing some research because I am tossing around the idea of recreating this uniform as a tribute to a pioneering Navy Chief, a real Naval legend. He served from 1893-1925 and was onboard both the USS Maine and the USS Bennington when they exploded. He volunteered again during WWII as sort of a recruiter. My question is about the ribbons, it was rumored that he received the MoH (maybe 2x) but the Navy never acknowledged it. I am not sure if that is what is on top or not. Here is what I managed to surmise. Moh? Sampson Medal Spanish Campaign Medal Puerto Rico Occupation Medal?? Navy Expeditionary Medal China Campaign Medal Mexican Service Medal 1st Nicaraguan Campaign Medal WWI Victory Medal Good Conduct Medal If its not a Moh, could it be the USCG gold or silver lifesaving medal? It doesn't look like a PH. On his right sleeve he wore a Seaman Gunner mark, a torpedo mark, an expert rifleman mark, and an ex-apprentice knot and on the left was 9 hash marks and a Master diver patch. Thanks for the assistance. Tyson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted February 19, 2021 Share #2 Posted February 19, 2021 I'll agree that John Henry "Dick" Turpin was a real legend in the US Navy, and was a trailblazer as one of the first chief petty officers in the navy as well as what was probably the first African-American Master Diver some 40 years before Carl Brashear earned his title. Looking at his Wiki entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Turpin as well as the printed stories by others, I think that it would be difficult to nail down his awards with certainty. There are places that record him as earning two Medals of Honor, but this is not verified by any official source. He is not listed in the Military Times Hall of Valor. Wikipedia lists his awards as follows: Good Conduct Medal Navy Expeditionary Medal Spanish Campaign Medal China Relief Expedition Medal Nicaraguan Campaign Medal Mexican Service Medal World War I Victory Medal with two service stars That being said, it does not appear that he would have been entitled to the China Relief Expedition medal. Also, I cannot guess on the Victory Medal with two stars as at best, he would have earned one bar. As he wasn't land based with the Marines or Naval Aviation, I don't believe that he would have qualified for the two stars cited. Good luck on your endeavor. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YNCM Doug Posted August 22, 2021 Share #3 Posted August 22, 2021 Here are some more images and a BUPERS letter regarding Chief Gunner's Mate John Henry "Dick" Turpin. This individual's active and inactive service totaled over 65 years. A great patriot! According to the BUPERS letter, GMC Turpin was entitled to the following military awards: USN Good Conduct Medal USN Expeditionary Medal USN West Indies Naval Campaign Medal (Sampson Medal) USN Spanish Campaign Medal World War 1 Victory Medal I believe he was also eligible for the Naval Reserve Medal, even though his record does not reflect it. **Not awarded the Medal of Honor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut63 Posted May 23, 2022 Author Share #4 Posted May 23, 2022 I was able to get a super size scan of the image from the Navy website. You can clearly see the top ribbon is the MOH, You can even make out the 5 stars on it (well maybe not after I upload it here). The #4 ribbon is almost certainly the Puerto Rico Occupation medal. I done see where he would have ever earned this, but from all accounts he was never awarded the MOH either. Thoughts? Tyson 163062652_turpinHQ.bmp turpin ribbons.bmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut63 Posted May 28, 2022 Author Share #5 Posted May 28, 2022 Here is what it looks like after the ribbons were sewn on. The jacket is a few sizes smaller that his likely was, so everything is a little closer together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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