So is it an Army issue or Repop? 

FAKE FAKE FAKE!   The real experimental leather handled bayonet was not an M7 per se, but did fit the M16.  It has a USN MK 2 blade. Made by Rock Island Arsenal...very rare. Marv

Does anyone have any information on why this prominent member has not posted or been on the forum since last year.   Ive reached out through PM but there is no response.

Thanks for the insight Dave.   I was trying to give this group the benefit of the doubt, but I have serious concerns about its origin story. If it was original it would be a stellar group, but I have too many questions about it and not enough answers.   The seller has no documentation or information on it whatsoever, and it supposedly was found in a dumpster in rural Australia, where it is currently being sold to me.   There are also scans of this medal group which have been submitted to the Canadian National Archives, however the seller denies having done this themselves.    

The insignia is done with and without paint.   I read that link last night.   Tredhead posted an example but for some reason he hasn’t been on the forum since last year.

Makes sense on the ribbons, thanks. Could only find this , but doesn't show the back unfortunately.  They look similar only yours has had the paint removed. https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/277106-avengers-of-bataan-38th-ssi/

These are photos of a real nice USS Oregon Phase III Sampson Medal on eBay that is assembled from a mix of original and reproduction parts. All the medal parts are original except for the SANTIAGO July 4 bar. Note the difference in color of the bar. It also uses a slightly different font which is especially noticeable in the rounder appearance of the "O" in Santiago. The bar also only has 78 rope twists on the outer border and the laurel wreath around the anchor on both ends of the bar is simply a series of blobs.   In addition to the repro SANTIAGO July 4 bar, the bars are assembled in the incorrect order, and the July 4 bar should be the suspender bar as it is the latest dated engagement and the July 2 bar should be a slide-on bar, not the suspender bar. The seller has a long history on eBay and an excellent seller rating, so I think he just doesn't know the ins and outs of the Sampson Medal details.

The Pendant is a US Mint design from the  late-1920s or early 1930s. An Executive Order was signed on July 28, 1921, requiring all designs for Federal medals to be approved by the Commission of Fine Arts and this reverse reflects the changes that the CFA initiated for all the older Navy medals.  Other old pre-1921 campaign medals also can be found with the straight For Service and the redesigned eagle -- for example the 1930 Mint contract Navy Philippine and a 1943-1945 Mint contract Navy Cuban Pacification medal.  However, you will note all the Navy campaign medals adopted post-1921 have a new reverse design approved by the CFA.   I believe the brooch and other parts were added to create a complete medal.     

Panorama view of Doherty HS “ Wall of Honor”.

Looking for help. Laotian Highway Patrol patches referred to operations over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Question: Is this patch known to be associated with any particular unit(s), or is it a Novelty Patch? Thanks in advance.