WWII Uniform Help With ID Please

[RT Ellis]

Uniform collector(s) will soon identify the awards and decorations, and the other cloth insignia on the uniform coat. The service member had a long career but he apparently wasn't the most sterling soldiers as the good conduct medal ribbon has no subsequent awards.

It's unfortunate the metal collar and other insignia are missing as it would tell a great deal about the soldier. It would be interesting to know what branch he was in. There is no indication he was in combat (although his ribbons do have campaign participation bronze stars) as there is no visible former unit shoulder sleeve insignia on the right shoulder. The ribbon and bronze star on the first ribbon in the top row indicates he was in the military prior to U.S. entry into WWII and that he was probably stationed in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

If you can provide a name it is possible to research basic military history.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[jsmosby]

Thanks for the information. It piqued my curiosity. I just sent an email to the owner asking him to provide the info you requested. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

[AZPhil]

Uniform collector(s) The ribbon and bronze star on the first ribbon in the top row indicates he was in the military prior to U.S. entry into WWII and that he was probably stationed in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

I disagree about the latter part of that statement.
It didn't matter where you were stationed. My uncle had the same american defense metal and was no where near Hawaii during his service.
You are correct about it being awarded to any service member who was already in the service prior to 1941

---------- Post added at 06:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:55 AM ----------

Uniform collector(s) and that he was probably stationed in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

The American Defense ribbion had nothing to do with being stationed in Hawaii,. You are correct that it was given to anyone who servred prior to 1941. My uncle had the same ribbon and he was no where near Hawaii.

[RT Ellis]

Reference the preceding post regarding the American Defense Service Medal and ribbon:

From Wikipedia:

"The medal is authorized to military members who performed active duty between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941. Members of the United States Army received this medal for any length of service during the eligibility period, provided that they were on orders to active duty for a period of twelve months or longer. The United States Navy excluded Reservists who were on active duty for less than ten days, but otherwise the Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard awarded the medal to all personnel who served on active duty at any time during the eligibility period (provided they passed their initial physical examinations).

Devices:
To denote foreign and pre-war battle service, the American Defense Service Medal was authorized with the following devices:
Foreign Service Clasp: Issued by the United States Army for military service outside the continental limits of the United States, including service in Alaska.
Base Clasp: Issued by the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps for service outside the continental limits of the United States (service in either Alaska or Hawaii qualified).
Fleet Clasp: Issued by the Navy, Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard for service on the high seas while regularly attached to any vessels of the Atlantic, Pacific, or Asiatic fleets as well as vessels of the Naval Transport Service and vessels operating directly under the Chief of Naval Operations.
Sea Clasp: Issued by the Coast Guard for all other vessels and aircraft, not qualifying for the Fleet Clasp, which regularly conducted patrols at sea.
"A" Device: Awarded to any member of the Navy who served duty in actual or potential belligerent contact with Axis Powers in the Atlantic Ocean between June 22 and December 7, 1941.
Service star: Worn in lieu of clasps when wearing the American Defense Service Medal as a ribbon on a military uniform."

If the relative mentioned in the preceding post was stationed exclusive of any of the service areas he was not authorized the bronze star device. Note that the main criteria was outside the continental US, which for Army troops would have most likely been Hawaii or the Philippines, but perhaps also Panama or as specifically authorized Alaska. (This is merely speculation based on the knowledge that the vast majority of Army troops stationed "overseas" were in those areas) The American Defense Service Medal and ribbon was authorized all service members active during the specified period regardless of station(s).

In the case of my father his ADSM had the "FLEET" clasp and he wore the bronze star device on the ribbon. His ship (U.S.Chicago CA-29) was at sea out of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and I had always assumed the star device was for participation in the battle. However I now realize that in my father's case it was merely to indicate that his basic medal had a clasp device.

On closer examination I noticed two small holes in the Good Conduct Medal ribbon of the coat in the original post that to me indicate there was a device attached that indicated subsequent awards.