Marksmanship Awards

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Thought I'd start this thread for photos and information on marksmanship awards down through the ages, including historical examples. By all means, post yours if you have em!

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[Sgt Leprechaun]

This is the Pistol Expert award of Captain Joseph Jackson, USMC, dated 1918. Capt Jackson was a Distinguished marksman in 1913.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_04_2008/post-248-1207526281.jpg

Here is the reverse, note that it's engraved with his name and the 1918 date.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_04_2008/post-248-1207526290.jpg

Both photos courtesy of Bill on USMF Forums.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Likely many Marines have heard of these competitions, but how many of us have ever seen THESE being worn?


http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_12_2007/post-1519-1197822823.jpg




http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_12_2007/post-1519-1197822844.jpg

They were found at a flea market by a military collector. The name was buffed off the back. The Elliot is 14k gold, the Edson, 24K gold.

(Images from USMF)

[Sgt Leprechaun]

WWII or pre WWII era shooting badge, with 2 unusual bars.

Expert Bayonet, and Expert in "C W S Weapons".
That stands for 'chemical warfare service' and was things like smoke generators, flame throwers, and such.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2007/post-98-1195399093.jpg

The reverse..

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2007/post-98-1195399120.jpg

Images courtesy of US Military Forum, USMF for short.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

This one is sort of different. The information contained on this post is also courtesy of my friends at the US Military Forum website.



http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_08_2007/post-334-1187834249.jpg

The "ladder" badge is known as the M1937, and was actually authorized for wear until 1968. The 'small bore' bar was authorized for USMCR units who used a 22 caliber rifle for qualification purposes. Furthermore, if the 'small bore' bar had a prefix of "SS" or "EX", it meant Sharpshooter or Expert. Our Marine here was a Marksman.

The Marksman badge is likely WWII or just before that time period, as is the M1937.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Here's one you won't see every day for sure. These were strictly unauthorized, private purchase items, but were worn and used by Marines for sure! They date from the 1930's, or earlier, and likely weren't used after WWII. (Some were no doubt bought by Marines during WWII and used tho..)


http://bobhudson.com/ebay/egarifleman.jpg


The reverse


http://bobhudson.com/ebay/egariflemanback.jpg

Info from USMF

[Jonny Destroyer]

Very interesting stuff, SGT! Thanks for sharing these pieces of history with us :beer:

[sgthoskins]

Here is my ugly mug with some of those.

http://northeastshooters.com/scans/USMC_Team_1995.jpg

[Alisium]

Here's one you won't see every day for sure. These were strictly unauthorized, private purchase items, but were worn and used by Marines for sure! They date from the 1930's, or earlier, and likely weren't used after WWII. (Some were no doubt bought by Marines during WWII and used tho..)


http://bobhudson.com/ebay/egarifleman.jpg


The reverse


http://bobhudson.com/ebay/egariflemanback.jpg

Info from USMF

YES! I wish we had something like that.

I've was always of the opinion that the sharpshooter badge and expert badge should switch places. The Sharpshooter badge just looks more Marine, unlike the expert which is reminiscent of the army.

If you shoot like a Marine you should have a badge that reflects that.

[Quinbo]

I tried to dig up a history of triple distinguished Marines. I believe there are only 8 total. To be triple distinguished you must be distinguished rifle, distinguished pistol, and international distinguished. It was often believed that it was distinguished shotgun but the international designator comes from international competitions such as the olympics.

Sgt Hoskins you look familiar.... Have we met?

[sgthoskins]

I tried to dig up a history of triple distinguished Marines. I believe there are only 8 total. To be triple distinguished you must be distinguished rifle, distinguished pistol, and international distinguished. It was often believed that it was distinguished shotgun but the international designator comes from international competitions such as the olympics.

Sgt Hoskins you look familiar.... Have we met?

Possible, I was in 92-96. Shot division matches and Marine Corps matches in 95 and 96. Was at Camp Perry to get Presidents 100 in 2005.

[Katzman]

My MGySgt just placed 6th at Marine Corps Matches on the rifle and leather on the pistol. He got distinguished a few weeks ago at the Eastern Division Matches.

[thewookie]

Possible, I was in 92-96. Shot division matches and Marine Corps matches in 95 and 96. Was at Camp Perry to get Presidents 100 in 2005.

Did you know a Tim Hamler who shot at Camp Perry in 2005, he would have been a Sgt or maybe SSgt select. Or Dan Goodrich, same match, same rank? I shot at the National Matches at Camp Perry during the summer of 97, but I am far from Distinguished. SF Marine

[echo3oscar1833]

Here is my ugly mug with some of those.

http://northeastshooters.com/scans/USMC_Team_1995.jpg

great photo brother, where you a PMI. Semper Kill!! :marine:

[thewookie]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think when you go distinguished you pick up the 8531 MOS?

[SSgt Ramsey]

One of my old CO's, Col P. D. Woodmansee, had some unique shooting badges from what I can recall. I can't remember if he was "distinguished" or not, but I seem to remember it being mentioned before at VMA-223 and then MAG-14 HQ. He used to wear 3 of them when in Alpha's and Service "B"'s w/ribbons and badges.

[sgthoskins]

Did you know a Tim Hamler who shot at Camp Perry in 2005, he would have been a Sgt or maybe SSgt select. Or Dan Goodrich, same match, same rank? I shot at the National Matches at Camp Perry during the summer of 97, but I am far from Distinguished. SF Marine

We just missed shooting with each other. I met Hamler once, I don't remember where but I do remember meeting him. Good guy and great shooter.

Here are some articles of the 1996 Western Div matches. I had two good days and squeaked out a win with a 590-53v.

http://northeastshooters.com/scans/Chevron_1996.jpg
http://northeastshooters.com/scans/Oceanside_Paper_1996.jpg

First page of the scoring bulletin.

http://northeastshooters.com/images/1996.jpg

Here are some pics of the guys I won the Bear Trophy (San Diego) with.
Don't mind the stitches on my chin, I took a high stick in a hockey game during the matches and CWO Vasallo wasn't too happy when he found out I was playing hockey during the matches. These were from 1996.

http://northeastshooters.com/scans/Me_and_SGT_Herman.jpg
http://northeastshooters.com/scans/Me_and_SSGT_Everett.jpg
http://northeastshooters.com/scans/Me_and_SSGT_Watkins.jpg
http://northeastshooters.com/scans/Me_and_CWO_Garcia.jpg
http://northeastshooters.com/scans/Rifle_team_1996_champions.jpg

Here is the 1995 MCRD rifle team. We had a cross-fire which cost us the win. I was lucky enough to win the Holcomb Trophy that year (Pistol) though we should have walked away with the rifle.

http://northeastshooters.com/scans/Rifle_team_1995.jpg

Here is the entire 1995 MCRD Shooting team. I'm in front holding the M1.

http://northeastshooters.com/scans/MCRD_1995.jpg

[awjenni]

If anyone is interested, I have just placed a Division Marksmanship Badge on ebay. It is eBay item number: 190322206394

Semper Fidelis

Al Jennings

http://www.astro5.com/awj/marks1.jpg

[Old Marine]

This one is sort of different. The information contained on this post is also courtesy of my friends at the US Military Forum website.



http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_08_2007/post-334-1187834249.jpg

The "ladder" badge is known as the M1937, and was actually authorized for wear until 1968. The 'small bore' bar was authorized for USMCR units who used a 22 caliber rifle for qualification purposes. Furthermore, if the 'small bore' bar had a prefix of "SS" or "EX", it meant Sharpshooter or Expert. Our Marine here was a Marksman.

The Marksman badge is likely WWII or just before that time period, as is the M1937.

This Mardsman Badge was the badge I was issued in Boot Camp in 1953. After that for the rest of my Career I fired Expert.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Impressive. I always liked those badges.

That divisional badge is cool!

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

I hate grave digging, but I remembered this thread and thought this picture would be a good fit when I saw it.

http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/public%20affairs%20info/Images%20Complete/HighResImages/080418-suitt.jpg

[Sgt Leprechaun]

You are CORRECT sir! OUTSTANDING