Posted 10 years ago
katyrose
(14 items)
Need help identifying this military bar that was found in a box of my Grandfather's items while cleaning out my Grandmother's house. In this same box, I also found a letter that was written by a family member while he was in the Civil War on a march. The letter is amazing a talks about sleeping out on the ground with only blankets, not even a tent, having no pay or much food, and marching through a field filled with thousands of dead men and horses. Any help to figure out the age and military campaign related to this bar would be appreciated.
These are world War two ribbons, L to R American Campaign ribbon, Europe-Africa-middle East ribbon, Victory Ribbon WW2. all these ribbons came with medals.
Ttom is right, however, you have campaign stars on your ribbons, which tell more, as these were actions against the enemy. I'll wager your grandfather was in the Navy because his American campaign ribbon has a star. This likely denotes anti-U-boat patrols in the Atlantic, although it could mean escorts etc. Here are the possibilities:
Convoy ON 67 (21 Feb - 26 Feb 1942)
USS Atik on antisubmarine operations (27 March 1942)
USS Asterion on antisubmarine operations (22 March 42 - 31 Jan 1943)
Task Group 21.13 (12 July - 28 Aug 1942)
Convoy TAG 18 (1 Nov - 6 Nov 1942)
Convoy SC 107 (3 Nov - 8 Nov 1942)
Task Group 21.14 (27 July - 10 Sept 1943)
Task Group 21.15 (24 March - 11 May 1944
USS Frederick C. Davis on antisubmarine operations (24 April 1945)
USS Atherton and USS Moberly (6 May 1945)
If I am right about his being Navy, then the star on his Europe-Africa-middle East ribbon could have been for anti-Submarine operations in those waters at any time during WWII. Otherwise it could be in support for one of the 16 different land and air campaigns in that area during WWII.
Either way, they would be a set of ribbons to be proud of.
Chris
Thank you both for all this great information!