Question about medals in old picture
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  1. #1
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    Question about medals in old picture

    I found this picture of my father taken when he was home on leave after completing basic training in late 1941 or early 1942. Can anyone identify the medals or badges he is wearing?




  2. #2
    The one that looks like a ladder is the Pistol Shooting Badge.
    The on that looks like a cross appears to be a Rifle Sharp Shooter Badge.
    There appears to be a ribbon over the shooting badges.


  3. #3
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    Marine Friend Free Member USNAviator's Avatar
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    I'll have to agree with Gunny about the one on our left. The one on our right might be this one. The ribbon, no clue





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    Thank you Old Marine and USNAviator for the quick replies. I appreciate it.


  6. #6
    Marine Friend Free Member USNAviator's Avatar
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    Without being able to see the ribbon, especially it's color, I found that pre-WW2 Marines issued a medal for Distinguished Marksmanship

    This might be that ribbon




    Or it could Good Conduct Medal



    That's all I do to help!


  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by USNAviator View Post
    I'll have to agree with Gunny about the one on our left. The one on our right might be this one. The ribbon, no clue


    Could be Commander. I used to wear one of those. Been a long time. It pretty bad when you end up with Sometimers.


  8. #8

    Here's what I think !

    Quote Originally Posted by adowns View Post
    I found this picture of my father taken when he was home on leave after completing basic training in late 1941 or early 1942. Can anyone identify the medals or badges he is wearing?

    This Marine has alot of rank while finishing basic ( boot Camp ) , the one rifle medal is sharpshooter and the others must be pistol and other stuff !


  9. #9
    Marine Free Member Wyoming's Avatar
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    I agree with #8, this is way to much stuff for just out of boot.

    Lep, as our resident expert, will be around soon enough.


  10. #10
    It cant be the National Defense Medal (Ribbon) as that was established in 1953. Good Cookie? No, one has to be in for 3 years before getting one, unless he was in 3 years by the time of the picture.


  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by USNAviator View Post
    Without being able to see the ribbon, especially it's color, I found that pre-WW2 Marines issued a medal for Distinguished Marksmanship

    This might be that ribbon



    Or it could Good Conduct Medal



    That's all I do to help!
    CDR THE TOP RIBBON LOOKS LIKE OUR RIFLE MARKS MANSHIP RIBBON I RETIRED EXPERT AND GOT THE SILVER E
    FAIR WINDS SIR

    STEPHEN DOC HANSEN HM3 FMF


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    Marine Platinum Member Zulu 36's Avatar
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    Note in the photo also that the Marine is wearing Corporal's stripes so I'd put my money on a Good Conduct Medal. No hashmarks yet though.


  13. #13
    Marine Friend Free Member USNAviator's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by doc h fmf View Post
    CDR THE TOP RIBBON LOOKS LIKE OUR RIFLE MARKS MANSHIP RIBBON I RETIRED EXPERT AND GOT THE SILVER E
    FAIR WINDS SIR

    STEPHEN DOC HANSEN HM3 FMF
    Doc

    All Gunny and I tried to do was help out a son who had a picture of his Dad. Perhaps it was dated, he didn't say. I think Gunny and I established what the badges were but I doubt if anyone can tell me what that ribbon is!

    My best guess is stated above. As for rank, to make Corporal in the pre-war Corps usually took at least 5-7 years.



  14. #14
    He could have moved through the ranks during the war, but if he did he would have a little more cabbage on his chest. I figure this Marine is not right out of Recruit Training and had been around the block for a couple of years before this picture was taken. Back then I doubt that they passed out stripes at the mess hall.


  15. #15
    My take is that he probably had at least just under 3 years (absence of hash mark) and had a rifle sharpshooter badge, and then possibly base or intraservice .22 and/or .45 competitions where he was marksman or above.


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