Always love these types of "bring backs" as it shows an excellent tale of history. I particularly love the Nambu. 

Also, the red portion of the ribbon on a #’d GCM will have a very faint “orange hue.”  Very noticeable when you place a #’d GCM and a standard GCM side/by-side.  

Haha, perhaps. It's in good hands now, I promise to the supply managers and Uncle Sam. Thanks. 😄

Well, here's whose name show up in morning reports with that number:  

I'm confident I've found your candidate. Google Virginia Militia shoulder plate, James S Smith. The missing loops on reverse match up perfectly. If link doesn't work check out Virginia Relics. Borrowed a couple image from their site. I'll take them down if not appropriate... https://www.virginiarelics.com/brands/virginia-relics/product/virginia-militia-shoulder-belt-plate-marked-smith/

Ok, definite WW2, USN. The patch was added, post war, over the actual rating badges if you feel inside the sleeve, you might be able to determine what rate he was. 

This reminds me of medals that were made in the 1920’s by NS Meyer company to sell as replacements yo veterans.

A few thoughts Bob...   "C" = Conscientious Objector?   "C" = Camp Detainee? (restricted to Camp)   ...or perhaps it was from Camp Olgelthorpe, GA    During World War I, the U.S. War Prison Barracks No. 2 at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, housed over 3,600 German nationals and prisoners of war. The stockade was divided by barbed wire into two main sections: Camp A for wealthy internees (i.e. Millionaires Camp), and Camp B for the general population.   "In WWI, Camp C was a designated disciplinary and punishment compound at the Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, German prisoner-of-war camp. It was used by the U.S. Army to segregate and restrict recalcitrant detainees who refused work duty or violated camp rules."

This looks good, I've had a few and I would feel okay buying this one 

The Medallic Arts contract of December 4th, 1942 had numbered Army Good Conduct medals. If it is a Medallic Art contract number--which to me looks like a smashed 7?7704, I should think it would have the wrap brooch on it vice the slot brooch. Maybe they switched while still numbering them.   Here is 66416, marked very faint on the bottom in its original box with a pic of the wrap brooch. Yours is subsequent to this one, so maybe they switched to slot brooch at some point late in the contract. I would date yours 1943-44. The Medallic Art contract May 11th 1944 on a specification of July 24th, 1943 example I have does not have numbering and is on a slot brooch.   I'll defer to the experts.   Steve