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I'm hoping someone can help me identify my grandfather's WWII bars/medals.

marissabchampion

My grandfather's WWII records were destroyed in the fire at the National Archives in 1973, so they weren't able to confirm the medals he received. I was able to identify 4 out of 5, but the blue and silver bar in the bottom middle is still a mystery. Also, it's my understanding that the purple and white bar is a Purple Heart, but my grandfather NEVER talked about the medals he received, so I'm hoping someone can confirm that the purple and white bar is in fact a Purple Heart. Thank you so much for your help! 

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    Dear  

    Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

    After observing the above patches, ribbons, and buttons, we have determined the following. From left to right, top to bottom:

    1. Shoulder patch for the 8th Air Force / VIII Bomber Command, the primary air operations group conducting bombing runs in the European Theater of Operations

    2. U.S. Army Air Force Enlisted Cap Device; worn typically on the garrison cap of an enlisted service member.

    3. U.S. Army Air Force Enlisted Collar Device; typically a pair.

    4. Honorable Service Lapel Pin, also known as a Ruptured Duck. This was issued to all honorably discharged veterans who served in WWII.

    5. Aerial Crewman Badge; issued to all service members who served on an airplane. 

    6. U.S. Army lapel button

    7. U.S. Army Air Force Enlisted Collar device

    8. American Legion lapel pin

    9. Aerial Gunner Badge; issued to all aircrew members who served in a gunner position on a bomber plane.

    10. Likely a private lapel button

    11. U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps lapel pin. 

    12. Blue ribbon with orange bars is the Air Medal. This award is given to those who show heroic or meritorious achievement during flight operations.

    13. Purple ribbon with white bars is the Purple Heart Medal. This award is given to those who are wounded by enemy action in the line of duty in a combat zone. 

    14. Red ribbon with white, blue, and orange is the WWII Victory Medal. This award is given to those who serve at least one day of active duty from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946.

    15. The blue and silver ribbon does not match any WWII era awards from any of the service branches. If your relative was active in the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars, this award is most likely from those organizations.

    16. Maroon ribbon with white bars is the Good Conduct Medal. Normally this award is given for at least 3 years of honorable service, but during WWII this was amended to at least one year of honorable service during wartime. 

    We hope this information is helpful!

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  • 0

    Dear  

    Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

    After observing the above patches, ribbons, and buttons, we have determined the following. From left to right, top to bottom:

    1. Shoulder patch for the 8th Air Force / VIII Bomber Command, the primary air operations group conducting bombing runs in the European Theater of Operations

    2. U.S. Army Air Force Enlisted Cap Device; worn typically on the garrison cap of an enlisted service member.

    3. U.S. Army Air Force Enlisted Collar Device; typically a pair.

    4. Honorable Service Lapel Pin, also known as a Ruptured Duck. This was issued to all honorably discharged veterans who served in WWII.

    5. Aerial Crewman Badge; issued to all service members who served on an airplane. 

    6. U.S. Army lapel button

    7. U.S. Army Air Force Enlisted Collar device

    8. American Legion lapel pin

    9. Aerial Gunner Badge; issued to all aircrew members who served in a gunner position on a bomber plane.

    10. Likely a private lapel button

    11. U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps lapel pin. 

    12. Blue ribbon with orange bars is the Air Medal. This award is given to those who show heroic or meritorious achievement during flight operations.

    13. Purple ribbon with white bars is the Purple Heart Medal. This award is given to those who are wounded by enemy action in the line of duty in a combat zone. 

    14. Red ribbon with white, blue, and orange is the WWII Victory Medal. This award is given to those who serve at least one day of active duty from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946.

    15. The blue and silver ribbon does not match any WWII era awards from any of the service branches. If your relative was active in the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars, this award is most likely from those organizations.

    16. Maroon ribbon with white bars is the Good Conduct Medal. Normally this award is given for at least 3 years of honorable service, but during WWII this was amended to at least one year of honorable service during wartime. 

    We hope this information is helpful!

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