pfrost Posted March 7, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 7, 2009 Picked this up this morning. A nice 1946 dated picture of a paratrooper. I believe his last name was Van Ripper. Can not ID the patch yet. Anyone have any information on this gentleman? Thanks Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 7, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 7, 2009 The patch is for the Austrian Occupation forces.Your man a possible 101st??? Looks like he has quite a few campains and two Phs to boot with his two Silver Stars. Nice pic Patrick,Thanks for taking the time to post. RD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtpcamaroz Posted March 8, 2009 Share #3 Posted March 8, 2009 Nice picture, he was well decorated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted March 8, 2009 Nice picture, he was well decorated. Thanks fellows! I am having trouble figuring out what the ribbons are? Two Silver Stars, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (?), ???, EAME with 5 stars, and Victory Medal. Any ideas? Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 8, 2009 Share #5 Posted March 8, 2009 Patrick, Sounds like you have the ribbons dead on.I believe the medal to be ARCOM as if it was a soldiers medal it would not have the white edges.I believe the ARCOM was instituted in 1945 and retroactive back to 1941.This fits the time frame of your photo for the award or wear of the ARCOM. RON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 8, 2009 Share #6 Posted March 8, 2009 I believe that's a Legion Of Merit between the Silver Star and Army Commendation ribbons. The Purple Heart is on the bottom row next to the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon. If it is a Legion Of Merit, this guy must have had quite a career. Those usually weren't awarded to junior officers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainofthe7th Posted March 8, 2009 Share #7 Posted March 8, 2009 Sean is right. For a while the PH was after all valor awards, I believe it only came before Good Conduct and Campaign medals. So the order is: Silver Star, LoM, ArCom PH, EAME, WWII Victory Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted March 8, 2009 Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate it a great deal. His name was Van Ripper (supposedly). I need to try to chase him down a bit and get some more information. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
currahee506 Posted March 8, 2009 Share #9 Posted March 8, 2009 Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate it a great deal. His name was Van Ripper (supposedly). I need to try to chase him down a bit and get some more information. Patrick By any chance - is there an 18th Airborne Corps patch on the other shoulder? Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
currahee506 Posted March 8, 2009 Share #10 Posted March 8, 2009 By any chance - is there an 18th Airborne Corps patch on the other shoulder? Rich I believe your man's last name is Van Riper - not Van Ripper - if so, and it is who I think it is, he had quite a distinguished career. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted March 9, 2009 Hello, Yes, I think his name was actually Van Riper, my mistake. I can't see the other side, so do not know if he was wearing an 18th patch. The lady I got this from told me she though he was in politics after the war. So far, I haven't found much on him, but I haven't really started looking. Thanks again for the assistance. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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