Posted on 04/28/2010 8:30:23 AM PDT by TexasBarak
My father passed awaythis weekend. Shortly before he passed, he asked my mother to assemble his various medals.
Yesterday at the visitation, my brothers asked me about a couple of them, and I was unable to identify them, so I'm asking for some Freeper help here-
I'm familiar with the Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star (all of which he earned as a butterbar Lt. in Korea), as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross (earned in Vietnam).
I don't know the others across the top half. I'm also a bit curious about the name tag with the skull-and-crossbones. I thought that it surely wasn't part of his uniform, but my Mother has a picture of him in a uniform with this very nametag.
Dad retired from the Army in 1972 (when I was 8). He always claimed that the only thing he was famous for in the Army was the ability to break rules and get away with it.
For the last few years, Dad lurked on Free Republic, and enjoyed it very much.
Any Freepers who were involved in Army Aviation in the late fifties and sixties might have known, or heard of him- Lt. Colonel Clark F. Kreitler.
Thanks, all!
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
I’m gonna have to go back and review how to post pics and links on here- I can’t even get it to show a live link.
There are online places to get a picture of every single medal and ribbon.
And thank you for your dad’s service to our country.
Like most, he hid his light under the bushel basket.
You posted this at the right place ping.
Freepers are the best! Not five minutes, and already I’ve been directed to the info I need! Thanks again, everybody!
Dear God, that man SERVED!
What are you willing to tell us about him?
Tell us about your dad.
At least point us to his obituary.
Incredibly impressive!
Quick html tutorial: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1823580/posts
Sometimes you’ll have to play with the “>” and the </img> at the tail end of the html tag to get it to work.
Considerable pile of medals there!
I can’t tell you anything as you provide no pictures.
There are sites online that will help you determine what they are. They should also have citations or letters recommending or confirming his presentment.
I had to identify the medals of a friend who passed away 5 years ago, before I realized the letters of recommendation of confirmation where sitting right in front of me.
This link might help you, too. From the Army’s Institute of Heraldry:
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/dec_awards_military.aspx
On the far left and left center there are round medals with crossed rifles in the center, and the center medallion is hanging by chain links from top panels. Those are civilian NRA marksmanship medals. I used to have some of them when I was in junior high school. I had the far left medal with 8 bars hanging under it.
Others are way ahead of me giving you the links you need. My WWII Veteran Dad passed away in 2003 and I had to do the same homework you are doing to make sure at his memorial all his medals, ribbons, and unit awards were all on display. I had to order a few that were lost.
God Bless all of our fallen Heroes.
I can honestly say your father was one of the most quiet and genteel of men when I knew him. I will miss him greatly.
God bless the man. And the entire family. RIP. Well done.
How proud you must be of him. How proud.
It appears the second down on the left is a service medal for Republic of Vietnam in 1960. That’s about as much help as I can provide.
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