digi-shots Posted March 25, 2022 #1 Posted March 25, 2022 Is there a visual difference between a Navy DFC and an Army DFC medal…not the case just the draped medal. I was reading an online site and it mentioned the DFC listed had a Matt finish and it was a Navy one. I thought they all had a Matt finish. Thanks!
Blacksmith Posted March 25, 2022 #2 Posted March 25, 2022 If I remember correctly, the Navy / Marine DFC medal is thicker.
TGAZ Posted March 25, 2022 #3 Posted March 25, 2022 Were the Navy DFC produced in the US Mint by any chance during WWII? The Navy Silver Star and Purple Hearts (some) were made by the US Mint and they had a different process which resulted in a different looking finish that appears to look like wear as compared to other Silver Stars. But it's the gold finish wearing off, something the other manufacturers didn't put on.
digi-shots Posted March 25, 2022 Author #4 Posted March 25, 2022 I have two but never compared them. Here’s a side by side shot. The one on the right is thicker… I never noticed it until I just had them both in hand. No marks or numbers on either one. The thinner one has a one piece planchet - the loop on top is part of the medal whereas the thicker one looks like it is a separate piece and welded on.
TGAZ Posted March 25, 2022 #5 Posted March 25, 2022 I think I had a massive brain fart and have for some reason confused this with another medal, and I don't like to provide misleading info. Should I delete my previous post!?
digi-shots Posted March 25, 2022 Author #6 Posted March 25, 2022 No… it gives some thought as to which companies made them and if the finish was different. I should have realized there was a big difference between the two I posted.. I never saw the difference in thickness. At first look, they looked the same to me. Now, the difference is apparent! I started the thread because I was comparing prices and saw one listed as a “Navy DFC” but no provenance, named, numbered etc. and couldn’t figure out what made it a “Navy”. Guess now, it’s based on thickness?
Blacksmith Posted March 25, 2022 #7 Posted March 25, 2022 3 hours ago, digi-shots said: No… it gives some thought as to which companies made them and if the finish was different. I should have realized there was a big difference between the two I posted.. I never saw the difference in thickness. At first look, they looked the same to me. Now, the difference is apparent! I started the thread because I was comparing prices and saw one listed as a “Navy DFC” but no provenance, named, numbered etc. and couldn’t figure out what made it a “Navy”. Guess now, it’s based on thickness? I'm sorry, did you miss my post above?
digi-shots Posted March 26, 2022 Author #8 Posted March 26, 2022 Blacksmith, no.. your post is what made me get both medals out to check the thickness… no question, you can see the thicker Navy one. Thanks for your post!
Warren Posted October 17, 2025 #9 Posted October 17, 2025 digi-shots, I found your post quite interesting on the Navy DFC medal. My father has 5 of his 7 medals on a ribbon bar, to include a DFC and AM. Both medals have the planchet welded to the ring like yours. My father was a USNR VF pilot in the Okinawa campaign aboard CVE's 80 & 87 flying FM-2's when he was awarded (earned) these medals. Does this indicate that the Air Medal planchet may also have a molded loop design like that of your left DFC ? And that style of medal was used for military services other Navy ?
DannyJ Posted January 8 #10 Posted January 8 Ah right, so is mine a navy or army version🤷♂️? im just researching mine atm and came across this thread fortunately, thought I’d jump in😁
Allan H. Posted January 8 #11 Posted January 8 DannyJ, Your DFC is undoubtedly an AAF version. The pendant is a single piece as the suspension ring was forged into the pendant and not attached afterwards. In addition, the award case is clearly an army type. Allan
DannyJ Posted January 8 #12 Posted January 8 Ah I see. So an Army Air Forces type… I actually didn’t know that the cases would be different too as the ww2 cases look the same design, is it to do with size? Thankyou for your response, much appreciated 👍🏻
Allan H. Posted January 9 #13 Posted January 9 DannyJ, There is a great thread on Navy medal cases that is titled "WW II USN/USMC Transition Medal Cases" which can be found here in the DECORATIONS/VALOR AWARDS section. For some odd reason, I cannot insert a hyperlink to the thread directly. Compare the images in that thread to the case that you have (which has a separate compartment for the lapel pin), and you will see the differences. Allan
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