Three-War Soldier

[Jtski]

The service this ribbon bar represents speaks for itself. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 4 campaign stars I have not seen before. Would it be reasonable to infer that service as an advisor with Special Forces in S.E. Asia would be a plausible scenario for earning that many stars? Vietnam in the late '50s, Laos early '60s, Cambodia and Thailand in the early '70s were qualifying areas. 

 

If the Army Good Conduct represents 15-17 years enlisted service with the assumption the individual joined sometime between 1942-45, could that indicate the recipient was later commissioned or became a warrant officer during the Vietnam War period?

 

The Occupation Medal shows the seemingly intentional reversal of ribbon with unofficial mini Japan clasp attached.

 

The reverse of the CIB shows the word Sterling, and what looks like some initials or other writing scratched in but can't quite make anything out.

 

Does anyone think an ID may be possible?

 

 

[Allan H.]

I don't want to throw a wet blanket on this party, but I don't believe it is real and it was most certainly put together within the last 20 years. There are a few tells, but the possibility of a soldier earning four Expeditionary medals is EXTREMELY remote. 

 

Allan

[Jtski]

Thanks for your reply Allan, very interesting, could you share some of the tells?

 

Holding the bar, all the attachments have an older worn feel to them. The style and patina of the single stars appear vintage compared to the slightly smaller modern service stars of today. The oakleaf cluster on the NDSM is in keeping with the time period regulations.

 

I did find reference to William Francis Buckley having received 4 stars to his AFEM, he served with the 11th SFG and MACV in Vietnam so remote but possible.

 

Appreciate further discussion.

[mvmhm]

On the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, keep in mind that that was also awarded for service in Korea after the Korean War. Also note the oakleaf on the National Defense Service Medal...that's the appropriate device for that medal at that time...before it was changed to a service star. 

 

Mark sends

 

[Allan H.]

45 minutes ago, Jtski said:

Thanks for your reply Allan, very interesting, could you share some of the tells?

 

Holding the bar, all the attachments have an older worn feel to them. The style and patina of the single stars appear vintage compared to the slightly smaller modern service stars of today. The oakleaf cluster on the NDSM is in keeping with the time period regulations.

 

I did find reference to William Francis Buckley having received 4 stars to his AFEM, he served with the 11th SFG and MACV in Vietnam so remote but possible.

 

Appreciate further discussion.

I think I'll start with the question where would this rack be worn? It most certainly would not work on any of the dress uniforms worn by the army. The majority of ribbons would fall under the lapels. Secondly, the very odd Bronze Star ribbon- did it start out as a faded piece with no white edge stripes, or did it fade over time? Why didn't any of the other ribbons fade?, or more appropriately, why don't they all show uniform wear and age?

Why is the Purple Heart mounted above the ARCOM but below the JSCOM? Why is the Expeditionary ribbon upside-down? 

There are just a batch of oddities to the rack.

 

Allan

[Jtski]

Good observations, the ribbon bar style does fit with the tan shirt sleeve army uniform, often worn in theatre by MACV. The Purple Heart at the time should have been immediately ahead of the Good Conduct Medal, as the higher order of precedence didn't come until the mid 1980s as I understand. Good catch on the upside down AFEM, some of the ribbons are loose on the metal bar so could have slid off at some point.

[ItemCo16527]

I don't see anything wrong with this. Considering the number of operations the AFEM was awarded for (Berlin Crisis, Vietnam, South Korea, etc.), 5 awards isn't unthinkable. It being upside down isn't a problem, and the Purple Heart ribbon being worn in the wrong place was pretty common. The weirdest thing to me is the Bronze Star ribbon as it seems to lack white edges.

[Jtski]

The Bronze Star ribbon up close in hand shows white edges that are faded/discolored. 

 

The little discrepancies such as reversed red-white-blue on ACM and AFEM are minor as I routinely found the same mistakes on official portraits of even Colonels and higher during that period.

 

The "unofficial " mini bar and reversed Occupation ribbon can also be found in official portraits of the time.

 

Agreed on the AFEM - I would like to find examples of 11th SFG soldiers' awards to compare as that is the only instance I've found so far of 5 awards.

 

The style of ribbon bar can be found worn with tropical short sleeve tans.

 

My conclusion - non regulation with errors yes, still more signs of authenticity than fantasy.

[ItemCo16527]

4 hours ago, Jtski said:

The Bronze Star ribbon up close in hand shows white edges that are faded/discolored. 

 

Thank you for pointing this out. I checked again, and as you pointed out, the white edges appear to be discolored. This also reminds me I need to schedule an eye exam lol