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Arrowhead Device Strand

Featured Replies

#1

This ribbon bar includes Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal.

May somebody explain stars and arrow on.

post-828-1179519365.jpg

#2

The arrowhead signifies a member os an invasion, such as one in the Italy campaigns or Normandy. Stars are Battle stars for service such as serving in Central Europe, Rhineland, etc.

#3
This ribbon bar includes Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal.

May somebody explain stars and arrow on.

 

The stars signify campaigns in which the wearer participated. The arrowhead indicated he made a combat landing -- such as at Normandy.

 

I believe only one arrowhead could be worn. I do not know how many days after the initial landing qualified for the award. D-Day for sure, but D+X? I am not sure.

#4

...

 

The Arrowhead device is a decoration of the United States Army which is issued as an attachment to certain service medals. The Arrowhead device is awarded to any service member who participates in an amphibious assault, a combat parachute drop, a helicopter assault landing, or a combat glider attack.

 

The arrowhead device is a one time decoration for each service medal and no more than one arrowhead device may be authorized per service medal. As of 2004, the service medals which are authorized the arrowhead device are as follows:

 

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

Korean Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Afghanistan Campaign Medal

Iraq Campaign Medal

In almost all cases, the arrowhead device is issued with a corresponding campaign service star, which denotes the campaign in which the assault landing was accomplished.

 

Font: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrowhead_device

 

Best regards,

 

Ricardo.

#5

Obs>

 

The arrowhead is a bronze replica of an Indian arrowhead 1/4 inch (.64cm) high and Only one arrowhead will be worn on any ribbon.

 

Ricardo.

#6
The stars signify campaigns in which the wearer participated. The arrowhead indicated he made a combat landing -- such as at Normandy.

 

I believe only one arrowhead could be worn. I do not know how many days after the initial landing qualified for the award. D-Day for sure, but D+X? I am not sure.

 

 

My father landed on Normandy D-Day + 1 and did not receive an arrowhead. So I think after the beach head is secured that negates the Arrowhead qualification.

#7

post-387-1179534969.jpg

 

This is a very rare and original ribbon bar from a uniform I have. Note the EAME ribbon with double arrowheads. This is documented original. This individual was a four star general. Guess who?

Thanks for looking and sharing.

#8
post-387-1179534969.jpg

 

This is a very rare and original ribbon bar from a uniform I have. Note the EAME ribbon with double arrowheads. This is documented original. This individual was a four star general. Guess who?

Thanks for looking and sharing.

 

 

George S Patton

#9
George S Patton

 

Correct. General George Patton's ribbon bar.

4starchris

#10

I bought this coat last year from the vet's daughter. The vet served with the 318th Fighter Control Squadron, 7th Air Force. What made it unusual was the arrowhead on his pacific campaign ribbon. I don't recall seeing very many USAAF uniforms with the arrowhead.

post-203-1179573248.jpg

 

post-203-1179573237.jpg

 

post-203-1179573263.jpg

 

#11

One option regarding the arrowhead on AAF uniforms is that the wearer somehow participated in an invasion, whether it be through preparation of planes, bombing of targets crucial in making the invasion go smoothly, or flying C47s to "drop off" paratroopers.

 

Nice jacket by the way! thumbsup.gif Always nice to get them from the family!

 

Adam

#12

I'm not exactly sure what a member of a Fighter Control Squadron would do, but is there the possiblity that he landed with the invasion or assault forces to coordinate air support?

#13

He was a communication specialist of some sort. He originally enlisted in the Signal Corps and was assigned to the AAF. His coat does not have it, but his shirt with the 7th AF SSI also has the triangular specialist patch.

 

I believe he went in on the ground and helped coordinate the air strikes.

#14

I would guess his arrowhead is for one of the Philippines landings.

 

Kurt

#15

According to the book AAF published in 1944, Fighter Control Squadrons were used to 'direct aircraft by radio and furnish navigation aids'. They set up control centers to coordinate air/ground operations. I'm guessing he probably landed with the invasion troops to set up this type of operation. As a side note, I believe that Glider Pilots were the only Aircrew entitled to the invasion Arrowhead. Hope this helps, Mark

#16
@ 4starchris, How in the world did you found that nice ribbonbar w00t.gif

 

It is attached to his uniform. This is the uniform of General George Patton.

4starchris

#17
post-387-1179534969.jpg

 

Excellent!

 

I'm surprised that the Silver Lifesaving Medal doesn't go at least above the PH, especially in that era.

  • 2 weeks later...
#18

hi everyone

I was looking through the uniform thread here and noticed that some ww2 US uniforms have invasion arrowheads. I was wondering could you guys post pics of your invasion arrowhead jackets it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a ton

#19

This one belonged to 3rd Army Engineer Corporal

post-88-1181013663.jpg

#20

Arrowhead from a 7th Air Force vet.

post-203-1181035824.jpg

#21

Here is the ribbon bar of my neighbor Robert Martis, 1/511. He served with the 511th in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was one of the few neighbors who would tell a annoying kid stories about his time in the paratroops, a great guy who is greatly missed. Mark.

post-527-1181088140.jpg

#22

Question, has anyone ever seen a Presidential Unit Citation badge ever have an arrowhead attached to it? I picked one up at a flea market in a junk box awhile back for ten cents. The arrowhead is the proper WW2 era version and it appears to have been there for quite sometime. Any ideas?

Arch

#23

Yes, I saw one on a original Ike lately..

 

@ Steve B: Interesting patch you got there. Do you know if Hambright placed the stars on his patch during or after the war?

#24

1st Infantry Division, MSG.

k98bayo_181.jpg

k98bayo_180.jpg

#25

Major Ernest "Kayo" Murphy - 82nd Airborne

post-248-1181507355.jpg

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