Well if he was an Infantryman the whole time, he would be a candidate for the 3rd Award CIB,

Hi J.D.,   Thanks for your comment. You’re right - it’s an very big distance. Even today, it takes several days by train to get from Vladivostok to Novosibirsk. My research is complicated by the fact that in many archival materials, this entire vast region is simply labeled 'Siberia.' Geographically speaking, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Blagoveshchensk, Chita, and Zabaykalsk are part of the Far East. However, I’ve found many records where servicemen stated they served in 'Siberia,' even though they never actually left Vladivostok.   For example, the man in the photo could be someone like PVT Joseph Cardin from the Wolfhound Pack (27th Infantry). He bears a slight resemblance to the person in the shot: https://wolfhoundpack.org/historic-photo-galleries/joseph-cardin-memory-collection/   His biography notes: 'He left the Philippines for Siberia August 7, 1918, arrived Siberia August 14, 1918, where he remained until January 17, 1920. He returned to the Philippines January 25, 1920.' While interesting, this doesn't confirm he was ever in our city.   By the way, does anyone know what that insignia/badge on his left breast pocket is? This is the Marksmanship badges?   I’ve tried to zoom in on the face as much as possible, but the quality of this digital copy is too low. That’s why I’m trying to track down a high-resolution scan of the original. If I can find a TIFF file, it might give us a real chance at identification.

so you think earlier???

These two appear to be "Bakelite". What do you think?

Shown below are the Insignia and ribbons from the estate of Sergeant M. J. Andrews.  Sergeant Andrew enlisted in the USMC in late 1939 and served with the Second Marine Division through World War Two.  Note the two solid well made single plastic ribbons. One ribbon represents the Pacific Campaign.  It is not known what the second ribbon depicts. The Sergeant stayed in the marines after the conclusion of WW2.  Perhaps the second ribbon is a ribbon mistake by the craftsman that made the ribbon bar.  Maybe he was trying to construct the China Service ribbon.  The ribbon colors are not painted on but small strips of colored plastic are inserted into channels in the main plastic body of the ribbon to develop the colors of the ribbon.  You can see a channel on the unknown second plastic ribbon which is missing one red plastic insert strip.  Part of a small chain is attached to the unknown second ribbon.  Maybe these ribbons represent sweetheart or homeland patriotic ribbon bars that were worn by civilians.  In any case these plastic constructed ribbons are rarely encountered.  

What is the average value of a Type I, Type,II, and Type III purple heart.

Shame the pin is broken but I believe this pair meets all the criteria for a good one.

The only assignment info I have on Ralph Frederick Epping (382835) is that he was assigned to VF-99, a theatre based advanced training squadron, in April 1945, aboard USS Attu (CVE-102) for transportation, to the squadron's base at Guam.  Probably would have flown the F6F as on 4/14/1945, the date I have him assigned, the squadron reported an inventory of 20 F6F-3, 25 F6F-5, and 10 FM-2.  His date of rank as an Ensign AV(N) was 6/1/1944 and was promoted to lieutenant (jg) (A1) on 12/1/1945.

No, that is my usual look 🤣. 

Yes. In my opinion it’s good