Adam R Posted September 14, 2010 Share #76 Posted September 14, 2010 This one is dated 1904 with three bars. It has the early style narrow sewn brooch, which unfortunately doesn't show up clearly in the photos. Perry served as an Apothecary on the USS Marblehead during the Spanish American War (yes, I have his Sampson Medal). As such, he probably treated the men from that ship who were wounded in the Medal of Honor action off Cienfuegos on 11 May 1898. Reverse of medal. Receipts for medal and two bars. Scanned from Perry's service file in St. Louis. Note that the Navy differentiated between "pins" and "bar" prior to WWI. The first award (after the medal) was a "pin" and subsequent awards were "bar". Not sure why they did it this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted September 15, 2010 Share #77 Posted September 15, 2010 Just got my first Good Conduct medals this week! :thumbsup: First is a group to Chief Machinist Mate John Murphy. Here's the front...anyone have a spare replacement ribbon??? And the reverse of the medal, dated 1927 and from the USS CHARLES AUSBURN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted September 15, 2010 Share #78 Posted September 15, 2010 This group belonged to Chief Commissaryman Raymond Griffith. Unfortunately, not engraved, but part of a remarkable group (and thanks to a fellow forum member!!!) :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted September 15, 2010 Share #79 Posted September 15, 2010 I like the Antarctica medal with the Wintered Over bar. You don't see too many groupings with these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted September 15, 2010 Share #80 Posted September 15, 2010 I like the Antarctica medal with the Wintered Over bar. You don't see too many groupings with these. Thanks! Ever since I was little, I wanted to be stationed in Antarctica. So, I've got a soft spot for Antarctic-related items. When I get the group organized and set up my photo booth again, I'll shoot some pics and post them up in the Groupings forum. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam R Posted September 15, 2010 Share #81 Posted September 15, 2010 Here's another submarine GCM, to the O-2 from 1929. Missing the ribbon but still has the original brooch. Service records for the previous medal. He extended his enlistment for two years, so it goes through 1931. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam R Posted September 15, 2010 Share #82 Posted September 15, 2010 Here's another unusual one that I haven't had a chance to research yet. This is the first GCM I've seen with both a ship and squadron. VO Squadron 3B was probably the "spotting" planes on the USS New York. The bars are dated 1935 and 1938 on the front and are named on the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam R Posted September 15, 2010 Share #83 Posted September 15, 2010 An example of the rare 1912 "rounded hanger" type. The planchet has been reversed. Payne was a corpsman who served with the Marines in the occupation of Vera Cruz and in Haiti in 1915. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam R Posted September 15, 2010 Share #84 Posted September 15, 2010 Here are some more USMC related bars on a Navy GCM. The recipient was also a corpsman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam R Posted September 15, 2010 Share #85 Posted September 15, 2010 1896 to the USS Indiana. The recipient (and probably this medal) was aboard the ship during the naval Battle of Santiago in 1898. Unfortunately the medal has a replaced ribbon and is missing several bars. Front and back scan of the receipt for the above medal. This is the earliest GCM receipt that I've found in the files in St. Louis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap_george Posted November 7, 2013 Share #86 Posted November 7, 2013 This is more of a question than just a reply. I recently picked up these two US medals on ebay. I think the Navy Good Conduct maybe a copy, but I have not seen a top suspension bar like this before (it looks like the extra award pins)? The other medal is an American Defense Medal, medal looks ok, but the ribbon looks like the old ribbon bar type design? Also the suspension does not look right. Any thoughts Please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted November 7, 2013 Share #87 Posted November 7, 2013 Here is my favorite Navy Good Conduct Medal with one of my favorite groups. It is to Ernest V. Sandstrom and dated 1893. And Sandstrom's document for the invasion of Honolulu from the USS Adams.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap_george Posted November 7, 2013 Share #88 Posted November 7, 2013 Wow, that is one great group, I love the Navy Expeditionary medal, and the outstanding Good Conduct medal. Captain Albert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap_george Posted February 21, 2014 Share #89 Posted February 21, 2014 Question - I have noticed that there are a number of thicknesses for the Good Conduct Medals: 1903 = 2mm 1914 = 3mm 1915 = 2mm 1921 = 2.6mm 1923 = 2.5mm 1929 = 2mm 1932 = 2mm 1933 = 2mm 1934 = 2mm 1936 = 2mm Does anyone know why since these were all made by the US Mint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluejacket Posted February 21, 2014 Share #90 Posted February 21, 2014 The USN GCM's were not all made by the US Mint. In fact, almost all the Navy GCM's in the 1920's and 30's were made by private contractors who annually bid for the work. There were separate contracts let for the engraving. In addition, there are several major variations in the medal design during this time period, as the US Mint did not necessarily provide the medal dies to produce the medals. Check the book "Fidelity, Zeal and Obedience", which covers not only the history of the USN GCM, but also the story behind the different makers, lists the various makers and engravers, illustrates the different styles of Continuous Service Certificates, etc, etc. It's currently out of print. Bluejacket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap_george Posted February 21, 2014 Share #91 Posted February 21, 2014 Thanks - for the information. I did not know that. I will watch for the book. Captain Albert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluejacket Posted February 22, 2014 Share #92 Posted February 22, 2014 Question - I have noticed that there are a number of thicknesses for the Good Conduct Medals: 1903 = 2mm US MINT 1914 = 3mm US MINT 1915 = 2mm US MINT 1921 = 2.6mm PRIVATE CONTRACTOR 1923 = 2.5mm PRIVATE CONTRACTOR 1929 = 2mm US MINT 1932 = 2mm US MINT 1933 = 2mm US MINT 1934 = 2mm US MINT 1936 = 2mm US MINT Does anyone know why since these were all made by the US Mint? cap_george, When I replied to your post earlier I did not have my book in front of me. After looking over your data, I found the book and will correct myself on something and thank you for taking the time to actually measure the thickness of your medals. First, I should have said that most, if not all, of the USN GCM's produced in the 1920's were contract production. However, from January 1930 to January 1941 I don't show any GCM contracts being let...all being done at the Mint. There could be some missing data, but the Mint was by far the major producer in that time period. So you were right....most of your medals were Mint products. I apologize for putting up bad information before I checked. Never a good idea. Second, looking at you data, the thickness numbers seemed interesting, especially the 1914, 3mm piece. It's possible that was a late or replacement issue done in the 1920's with a contract piece, or the Mint just ran a batch of thick medals in 1913-14. Could you post or send me a photo of both sides of that medal? Anything outside the standard deviation is usually interesting. Third, the 1921 and 1923 contracts were let to two different producers, so a slight difference in thickness would be logical in your data. When I researched the book I briefly thought about thickness as a data point, but never had access to a large enough medal base to make it worthwhile. Thanks for posting this. More informative that you realize. And, again, sorry for the misleading comment earlier. Regards, Bluejacket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap_george Posted February 22, 2014 Share #93 Posted February 22, 2014 Thanks Bluejack - here is the 1914 piece. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted February 22, 2014 Share #94 Posted February 22, 2014 Hello all! This wonderful thread was started way before my time on the USMF, boy am I glad it was revived recently (thanks Cap!) This area of U.S. militaria is without a doubt one of my top 5 areas of weakness. I love 'em all! So here are 2 to honor the Veteran's who earned them and in praise of the engraver's art, who managed to "cram it all in" and still make it look beautiful! Please keep it going! My best to you all, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted February 22, 2014 Share #95 Posted February 22, 2014 Nice ones Joe, the last of the GCMs to have ship or station engraved. Regards, W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted February 22, 2014 Share #96 Posted February 22, 2014 I guess I'll add this one here too. Why not. Reverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted February 22, 2014 Share #97 Posted February 22, 2014 WM! Excellent! I never tire of seeing these beauties, thank you for adding it. The early ones are a joy to behold! I should add this one here too. I must confess I already had this scanned and saved as low res...yes I've become lazy in my senior years. I need to get off my duff and start scanning other stuff. This place is a great archive, probably the best for U.S. material going. I don't think I could ever get bored viewing these lovely medals, please pile them on, I know I'm not the only one who wants (and NEEDS) more eye candy! A BIG thanks to Kurt, who started this! My best to you, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted February 22, 2014 Share #98 Posted February 22, 2014 Here's another i already had scanned Geeze I need to get documenting... Best wishes to all! Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share #99 Posted February 23, 2014 I grew up in Oregon, so of course I love the one to the USS Oregon! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap_george Posted February 23, 2014 Share #100 Posted February 23, 2014 Wow guys some really nice medals. Thanks Captain Albert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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