WW2 US Medals And Ribbons

Original WW2 U.S. Military Medals & Awards

2USM-16. The American Defense Service Medal was instituted for all branches of services in 1941; it was awarded for 12 months of Army service during the years of 1939 to 1941and any Navy active duty time during the same period. The front of the antiqued bronze finish medal depicts a robed woman, standing on an oak leaf branch, holding a sword and shield; the words, “American Defense,” are embossed along the top border of the medal. The reverse is embossed with the following lengthily inscription, “For Service during the Limited Emergency Proclaimed by the President on September 1, 1939, or During the Unlimited Emergency Proclaimed by the President on May 27, 1941.”The medal is suspended from a ring, which is attached to a yellow ribbon with thin red, white and blue stripes. This specimen has the Army “Foreign Service” bar device attached to the ribbon; the addition of the “Foreign Service” bar indicates the recipient was serving with the U.S. Army outside the continental limits of the United States, including service in Alaska, as a member of the crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters, or an aircraft making flights over ocean water, or as a member of an organization assigned outside the Continental U.S. prior to America's entry into WW2. The front of the medal is in near excellent condition and retains near 100% of its original finish with extremely minor and insignificant surface wear to some of the highlights. The backside exhibits a little age and has darkened a bit from storage; there is a moderate, red, surface blemish, on the backside, probably paint, from something the medal rested on over the years, (nothing overly serious). The ribbon is intact and not damaged; it exhibits moderate signs of age and soil from handling and use; the Foreign Service bar exhibits moderate age and has been attached to the ribbon in a slightly, “off-kilter,” position.  The ribbon has a WW2 sewn slot brooch with a horizontal attaching pin and a roller lock pin catch. A decent representative example. About Vg. $14.00 

2USM-17. The Silver Star Medal was instituted in 1932 and was awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, (originally Army only), for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States, or while serving with friendly foreign forces. The medal depicts a small silver star within a laurel wreath, superimposed on a larger, 5-point, gold colored star. The medal is suspended from a square suspension device, which is attached to a blue ribbon with white and red stripes. The backside of the ribbon has a, “full wrapped brooch suspension,” with a horizontal attaching pin and a roller lock pin catch; also included is an enamel Silver Star buttonhole device, for wear on civilian clothing and a Silver Star ribbon bar with a horizontal attaching pin and a roller lock pin catch. The inside of the bottom left point of the star is stamped with the serial number “110784.” The front and backside of the medal are in excellent+ condition; the medal retains 99.8% of its original gold and silver finish. The front and backside of the ribbon are in excellent+ condition; the brass wrapped brooch has darkened a bit from age but has retained near 100% of its original brassy/gold finish. The buttonhole device is in excellent condition. The front and backside of the ribbon bar are in excellent+ condition and has a horizontal attaching pin with a roller lock pin catch. The medal and accessories come in their original dark, blue/black, leatherette presentation case, which is gold leaf embossed, “Silver Star Medal,” and has a gold leaf embossed design on the lid and around the edges. The exterior of the box is in excellent+ condition exhibiting only the slightest and most insignificant signs of surface wear to the dark blue/black fabric. The interior of the box is lined with pale gold silk and velvet material and is in excellent condition with extremely light signs of soil on the end of the tab that holds the medal. A gorgeous, well cared for, numbered, example that would enhance any collection. SCARCE.  Overall excellent+. $225.00

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