Maj. General Charles F. Humphrey, Sr.

[usmedalman]

Ever wonder who has No.1 of the 1908 Army campaign medals? General Humphrey had a long and distinguished career. Enlisting in the Army he served in the 4th and 5th Artillery during the Civil War and the Indian Wars. During the Indian Wars he earned the Medal of Honor before becoming a quartermaster officer when he was promoted to captain and ending his career as the Army's Quartermaster General. I include a great photograph of him, taken post-retirement as well as copies of his award cards for his various medals, all of which I found in the National Archives online files. Each award cards confirm the medal No. 1 was issued to Humphrey.

 

 

[usmedalman]

I posted this in the Individual and Unit Research part of the forum, but thought I would also add it here. The Decorations and Awards Index, 1898–1926 is a series of 117 files, each with about 800+ scans of award cards. The 117 files represent a break down of the alphabet. For example, file 101 contains names between Steward, E. and Strong, M. Since they are arranged alphabetically, you can't look up medal numbers. My rough estimate is the files contain between 90,000 and 120,000 names. But searching it is easy.

 

The link is: https://catalog.archives.gov/search-within/601682

[USMCR79]

I recall years ago that George Harris was selling Humphrey's sons medals and made mention in his write up of the fathers medal group.

 

Bill

[Jim T]

John:

 

This is a significant find!  You have done those of us who have an interest in early decorations and campaign medals a great service: armchair access to original-issue information. Even simply going record by record is a thrill:  campaign medal,  DSC, DSM, Certificate of Merit, Silver Star device issue/cancellation/re-issue details and delivery addresses. Some of the Certificate of Merit entries even have  conversion and citation details.  Pure gold. 

 

Thanks for the pointer. 

 

(within the  "Medals and Decorations"  forum is a pinned thread titled   "Medal Number tracing"  . Perhaps you should also update that thread with what you have uncovered so that an attribution can then be taken to this next level)

 

Regards,

 

Jim T

 

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[usmedalman]

On 12/27/2023 at 2:03 PM, Jim T said:

John:

 

This is a significant find!  You have done those of us who have an interest in early decorations and campaign medals a great service: armchair access to original-issue information. Even simply going record by record is a thrill:  campaign medal,  DSC, DSM, Certificate of Merit, Silver Star device issue/cancellation/re-issue details and delivery addresses. Some of the Certificate of Merit entries even have  conversion and citation details.  Pure gold. 

 

Thanks for the pointer. 

 

(within the  "Medals and Decorations"  forum is a pinned thread titled   "Medal Number tracing"  . Perhaps you should also update that thread with what you have uncovered so that an attribution can then be taken to this next level)

 

Regards,

 

Jim T

 

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Thanks for the kind words, Jim. Sure interesting to see that Pershing refused his DSC and that his SS (Citation Star actually) was for the SAW, most likely San Juan Hill.