Lets see some US NAVY Good Conduct Medals !!

[Adam R]

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.

[Dave]

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

[Dave]

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:

[DMD]

I like the Antarctica medal with the Wintered Over bar. You don't see too many groupings with these.

[Dave]

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

[Adam R]

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.

[Adam R]

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.

[Adam R]

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.

[Adam R]

Here are some more USMC related bars on a Navy GCM. The recipient was also a corpsman.

[Adam R]

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.

[cap_george]

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.

 

[kanemono]

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..

[cap_george]

Wow, that is one great group, I love the Navy Expeditionary medal, and the outstanding Good Conduct medal. Captain Albert

[cap_george]

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?

[Bluejacket]

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

[cap_george]

Thanks - for the information. I did not know that. I will watch for the book. Captain Albert

[Bluejacket]

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

 

 

[cap_george]

Thanks Bluejack - here is the 1914 piece. George

 

[jmar]

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

 

 

[Wharfmaster]

Nice ones Joe, the last of the GCMs to have ship or station engraved.

 

Regards,

 

W

[Wharfmaster]

I guess I'll add this one here too. Why not.

 

Reverse

[jmar]

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

 

 

[jmar]

Here's another i already had scanned Geeze I need to get documenting...

 

Best wishes to all!

 

Joe

 

[KASTAUFFER]

I grew up in Oregon, so of course I love the one to the USS Oregon!

 

Kurt

[cap_george]

Wow guys some really nice medals. Thanks Captain Albert