Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

U.S. Militaria Forum

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Campaign Numerals on WW2 Navy Ribbon Bars Strand

Featured Replies

#26

Thank you.

#27

They would have stood for campaigns, so you are correct.

 

Was this guy in VF-74?

 

Dave

#28

Thanks Dave. No he was in VOF-1 in the Med. And they changed the designation to VOC-1 in the pacific.

#29

Quite interesting. I'd love to see photos of the group if you ever get a chance!

As a random bit of trivia, here's a photo that I used in my book (it has been cropped in the middle.) The fellow on the left was KIA near Okinawa and the one on the right was shot down over mainland Japan and became a POW. Both have numbers instead of stars, just like your group.

2-17-2015 1-33-24 PM.jpg

  • 2 years later...
#30

post-94380-0-54841500-1494344004_thumb.jpgFrom the uniform given to me by the owner - USS Lexington (CV-16)

#31

Here is one I picked up to a Pearl Harbor survivor from the USS MacDonough

 

rib.JPG

#32

The reason I chose the photo I did for page 58 in my book, Blue Seas, Red Stars, was because it was a superb example of numerical devices being worn on the ribbons. However, when the book got published, the photo became too small to notice them. Darn! Anyway, I'll screen shot it and post it up here...(it has some nice examples of black widow Navy Crosses, long PUC ribbons, and bullion wings too!)

5-9-2017 11-23-02 AM.jpg

#33

Basilone wearing a star and numeral

 

Bill

post-248-0-14153200-1494368288.jpg

  • 4 years later...
#34

Does anyone know what the #1 represents on the ribbon bar? Thanks.

Nwq7VPs4SBqiSYJ0cxhchg.jpg

#35

Far left? American Campaign Medal

#36

Early in the war, it was suggested that campaigns and battles should be denoted with a numeral device. Many of the first troops to earn campaign credits used these numbers. The Marines on Guadalcanal frequently used the "1" device with those going on to Cape Gloucester wearing a "2." Soon after, the decision was made to use stars instead of numbers as the numbers could potentially get to be quite high.

 

Allan

#37

These are early war devices also used by the USN.  Tom Nier had a nice informative thread on the subject that’s worth finding again.  

#38
2 hours ago, Josh B. said:

These are early war devices also used by the USN.  Tom Nier had a nice informative thread on the subject that’s worth finding again.  

 

TA DA!  Campaign Numerals on WW2 Navy Ribbon Bars
By Tom Nier, December 10, 2009 in MEDALS & DECORATIONS

 

#39
14 hours ago, Salvage Sailor said:

 

TA DA!  Campaign Numerals on WW2 Navy Ribbon Bars
By Tom Nier, December 10, 2009 in MEDALS & DECORATIONS

 

Nailed it!  Given the value of Tom's thread (and the threat of it's loss since he has now sadly passed), might I introduce a motion that it be pinned?

#40

^

  • 3 years later...
#41

An example I have had for years and always told it was nonsense! Still have folks tell me it is 'not an authorized ribbon combination". Thanks for the ID!

 

Scan_20250211 (2).jpg

Create an account or sign in to comment

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.