Nice! I haven’t tried that yet,  I usually do foam and carve it out of the foam and then prime it and spray, and then touch up with some brush work. Or I do the same thing with a clay model and the chip it off because it has naturally realistic breaking affect and is basically just concrete or rock, or brick. Love the model and I appreciate your attention to detail!

Yah, I’ll ask him,you very well may be right in it’s an older version of the PT ribbon, I’ll ask him today 👍

1947 I'd say yes

No, the US Maritime Commission was abolished in 1950. By 1975, I'm pretty sure the contract number format was different, too 

Does the 1975 at the end of this contract number mean the medal was struck in 1975 or is 47 the year?    

Looks nylon.  A Marine 1990s-early GWOT “parade” sling.   Still sell them at the MCX at Lejeune.

Ever since I got bitten by the militaria collecting bug I've been enamored with the khaki tropical bush jackets issued by the USAF in the 50's.   However, I've yet to acquire one, since all of the examples that comes up on eBay are either: A. Stained beyond belief. B. Missing the belt. C. In a size that won't fit myself nor the mannequin that I have standing in my "archival room".   So, could anyone point me in a direction in which I could find one? What are the key militaria sites that I should be continuously updating?   This is a wild thought, but I'm going to put it out there: Has anyone ever hired someone to act as a private detective of sorts and have them look for a specific piece?   All the best!

Hello again @cavscout6b - the plot thickens. The great-grandson of Troop B's Bill Stephens says his grandfather remembers Bill wearing that patch too. As for the photo of Donald Coffey, that was taken after he was wounded in July 1944. We've got his discharge papers and his enlistment record and can rule out that he was ever in the National Guard or any other units. So there definitely seems to be a connection between the 24th Cav Recon and the rose & stirrup patch of the 24th Cavalry Division. 

Looking back over these 87 pages of postings I’ve seen some remarkable CIB’s in metal and cloth as badges, patches, lapel pins, bracelets, and so on. But this thing here made me laugh:     It’s a “shoe charm” and goes on this:  

Great information and thank you for posting the link to the manual.