MEDALS OF HONOR TO SOLDIERS, SAILORS, MARINES AND COAST GUARDSMEN: A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF OFFICIAL ENGRAVING STYLES

FRED L. BORCH Army Introduction Type I (1862 – 1896). This first Army type incorporated the five-pointed star used by the Navy , While the days of collecting Medals of Honor are past,1 as well as the same ribbon. The Army Type I Medal of this does not make these awards any less interesting, Honor, however, was suspended from its ribbon by a especially given that there are at least 17 different Medal trophy device consisting of an eagle seated on crossed of Honor varieties (six Army, ten Navy) and an even cannons. These cannons in turn are resting on eight greater variety of official engraving styles on the reverse cannon balls and a sabre.4 of these Medals of Honor.2 Army Type II (1896 – 1904). The only difference The purpose of this preliminary study is to show the between Army Type I and Type II is that the latter has a greatest possible number of Medals of Honor types and different ribbon design: the Type II ribbon consists of the great possible variety of official naming styles. While vertical (left to right) red-blue-white-blue-red stripes. the author examined about 30 different Medals of Honor (not all of which are illustrated here), the Medals of Army Type III (1904 – 1913). This type retained the Honor depicted here are a representative sampling and five-pointed star used in both Types I and II but, whereas do permit some conclusions about official naming on the Minerva is shown warding off Discord on these first two Medals of Honor. types, a bust of the goddess Minerva alone is in the center of the Type III star. The decoration is suspended from a This study finds that, regardless of type, an officially bar containing the word VALOR upon which sits an eagle awarded Medal of Honor with its wings spread. A light blue ribbon with 13 white stars is attached to the eagle by a ring. 1. is always hand engraved, machine engraved or machine impressed; Army Type IV (1913 – 1944). While Types I – III were 2. always contains the recipient’s name and rank; all suspended from a short ribbon and brooch, the Army 3. usually includes additional details about of the Type IV Medal of Honor had a small ring attached to the act of heroism, including date and location. back of the brooch. This permitted it to be suspended from a neck ribbon or cravat.5 Army and Navy Medal of Honor Varieties or “Types” Army Type V (1944 – 1964). This type differs from the Type IV in that the short length of ribbon between Since the Civil War, when the Army and Navy first the decoration and the brooch was eliminated and the began awarding their respective Medals of Honor, the Medal of Honor was suspended from small cravat pad decoration has appeared in a variety of designs or types. (the corners of which were not folded), to which a neck While “experts” do not necessarily agree on the exact ribbon was attached. number of Medal of Honor types, this article adopts the typing scheme set out in John E. Strandberg and Roger Army Type VI (1964 – present). This last type J. Bender’s The Call of Duty. But, as the descriptions of (currently in use) has a larger cravat pad (the corners each type in The Call of Duty are quite cursory, OMSA of which are folded) and also has a larger three-prong members should consult Charles P. McDowell’s Military suspension device, which is sewn to the cravat pad. and Naval Decorations of the United States3 for more details on the many types of Medals of Honor. However, Navy Type I (1862 - 1882). The only difference between a brief description of each type follows so that when this the Navy and Army Type I Medal of Honor is that the article discusses engraving styles on Army and Navy Navy medal is attached to its red, white and blue ribbon Medals of Honor, the reader will be able to link each style by an anchor while the Army medal is attached by an with a particular Army or Navy type category. eagle. The planchet, a five pointed star depicting Minerva warding off Discord, is attached to a distinctive ribbon: the top half is dark blue while the bottom half consists of seven red and six white vertical stripes (Figure 1).

Vol. 61, No. 2 (March - April 2010) 3 Figure 1: Obverse of the Navy Type I Medal of Honor.

Navy Type II (1882 – 1904). The only difference Figure 2: Obverse of the Navy Type II Medal of Honor. between the Navy Type I and Type II is that the Type I NAVY and anchors on each of the four had a “fouled anchor” (a miniature “chain” was wrapped arms of the cross. The cross is attached to a ring and around the anchor suspending the planchet from the suspended from a blue ribbon with thirteen white stars. ribbon to give it a “fouled” look) while the Type II had A brooch with the word VALOUR is used to attach the an “unfouled anchor”6 (Figure 2). medal to the uniform. Note the curious English spelling of the word as “valour” rather than the American “valor” Navy Type III (1896 – 1904). This type differed from the (Figure 5). Type II only in that it had a new ribbon, which consisted of vertical red-blue-white-blue-red stripes; this is the same Navy Type VII (1927 – 1942). The sole difference ribbon on the Army Type II Medal of Honor. between the Navy Type VI and Type VII is that the suspension ring is soldered to the top arm of the cross; Navy Type IV (1904 – 1913). This is the same medal as on the Type VI, the suspension ring is soldered to a small the Navy Type II and III but uses yet another ribbon: the finger cast on the cross.7 light blue ribbon with 13 white stars used on the Army Type III. This type is shown in Figure 3. Navy Type VIII (1942 – 1943). Having abandoned the Tiffany Cross, the Navy now returned exclusively to Navy Type V (1913 – 1942). This type differs from its the Navy Type V, but the neck ribbon for this type now predecessors in that the planchet is now attached by a featured a narrow cravat pad that was folded and stitched large ring to a light blue neck ribbon with 13 white stars. to the cravat ribbon. The Navy Type VIII Medal of Honor The type is shown in Figure 4. is shown in Figure 6. This type was used only for one year and is distinguished from the Navy Type IX in that the Navy Type VI (1919 – 1921). This is the Navy “Tiffany corners of the cravat pad on the Type VIII are not folded. Cross” Medal of Honor or “Gold Cross” Medal of Honor. It consists of a completely redesigned planchet Navy Type IX (1944 – 1964). This type had a smaller in the shape of a cross pâté. Minerva and Discord have cravat pad, the corners of which were folded. disappeared and have been replaced by an eagle, the words

4 JOMSA Figure 3: Obverse of the Navy Type Figure 4: Obverse of the Navy Type V Medal of Honor. Figure 5: Obverse of the Navy IV Medal of Honor. Type VI Medal of Honor.

Figure 6: Obverse of the Navy Type VIII Medal Figure 7: Obverse of the Navy Type X Medal of Honor. of Honor. Vol. 61, No. 2 (March - April 2010) 5 Navy Type X (1964 – present). This Medal of Honor For gallantry at Vigan, Luzon, P.I. variety, received by all sailors and Marines for heroism when Lieut. Col. 45th Inf’ty U.S. Vols. in Vietnam and later, is distinguished from the Navy Type Dec. 4, IX by its large, slightly oblong cravat pad with folded 1899 corners; this is the same cravat pad used on the Army Type VI Medal of Honor (current). The Navy Type X When Parker was issued his Type III Medal of Medal of Honor awarded to Wesley Fox is at Figure 7. Honor in 1909, however, it was script engraved:

Observed Medals of Honor Major James Parker Soldiers Asst Adjt Gen., U.S.A. Vigan, Luzon, P.I. Philippine Insurrection: Parker, James S. Non- Dec. 4, posthumous. 1899

Figure 8: Naming on Major Parker’s Type II Medal of Honor.

James Parker was issued an Army Type II Medal of Honor Figure 9: Naming on Major Parker’s Type III Medal of (Figure 8) in 1900 and, as he was still on active duty when Honor. the Army began using its Type III Medal of Honor, was issued a second medal (Figure 9). Note that Parker was Part of the reason for less information on the Type III not required to return his Type II Medal of Honor, which Medal of Honor may be that the engraver felt he had less explains why he has two decorations. space for engraving than the Army Type II but, as will be seen with the other Medals of Honor to soldiers in this The Type II is hand engraved in script, using both capitals study, the Army has been less concerned with engraving and lower case letters: details on its Medals of Honor than has the Navy.

The Congress Figure 10 depicts Parker in 1889, shortly after he had to returned from a tour with the 4th Cavalry in New Mexico. Maj. James Parker. Asst. Adjt. Genl. U.S. Army. Korea: Moyer, Donald R. Posthumous.

6 JOMSA instructions for engraving Army Medal of Honor, as the Vietnam-era Army Medal of Honor depicted in this study in Figure 13 follows the same format.

SFC Donald R. Moyer CO E. 35TH Inf REGT 25TH INF DIV. USA

Then Sergeant First Class Moyer was an assistant platoon leader serving near Seoul, Korea, when he “distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action.” According to the Medal of Honor citation, Moyer’s platoon was committed to attack and secure commanding terrain stubbornly defended by a numerically superior hostile force. As the Americans advanced up the rocky hill, they came under intense automatic weapons, small-arms, and grenade fire. Figure 10: Major James Parker in 1889. After his platoon leader and platoon sergeant were badly wounded, Moyer “rushed to the head of the faltering column, assumed command and urged the men forward.” The soldiers “responded magnificently” to Moyer’s “unflinching courage,” but as they reached the top of the rocky hill, “the fanatical foe showered the platoon with grenades.” After one grenade landed in the middle of the platoon, Moyer threw himself on the device, “absorbing the full blast of the explosion with his body.” Moyer gave his life so that several of his fellow soldiers could be saved from death or serious injury.

Vietnam: Roberts, Gordon R. Non-posthumous

This non-posthumous Army Type VI award to then Sergeant (now Colonel) Roberts follows the same engraving format as the Moyer Medal of Honor in Figure 11. Note, however, the very distinctive “impressed” or “stamped” machine engraving on Roberts’ medal (Figure 12). Each capital letter is the same height and spacing is regular. The only difference between the Roberts medal and the Moyer medal is that the latter includes USA as part of the unit designation. The provenance of this medal is clear as Roberts personally provided it to the author Figure 11: SFC Donald R. Moyer’s Medal of Honor. to photograph.

This posthumous Army Type V Medal of Honor is hand SGT engraved in upright capitals on four lines (Figure 11). GORDON R. ROBERTS It is unusual when compared to the Navy and Marine CO B. 1ST BN. 506TH INF Corps Medals of Honor illustrated in this study in that 101ST ABN DIV the engraver used the majority of the space on the planchet to reflect Moyer’s unit, rather than engraving On July 11, 1969, then 19 year old Specialist 4th Class the date or location of the action. But this study Roberts (he was born June 14, 1950), was serving as a concludes that the engraver was adhering to official

Vol. 61, No. 2 (March - April 2010) 7 This Medal of Honor was presented by President Richard M. Nixon to Roberts in a White House ceremony on March 2, 1971. Figure 13 shows Roberts when he was an Army major in the late 1990s.

Figure 12: Naming on Sergeant Roberts’ Medal of Honor. rifleman in combat operations in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. Roberts’ platoon was maneuvering along a ridge to attack heavily fortified enemy bunker positions which had pinned down an adjacent friendly company. As Roberts and his fellow soldiers approached the enemy positions, they were pinned down by heavy automatic weapons and grenade fire from camouflaged Figure 13: Major Gordon R. Roberts in the late 1990s. enemy fortifications located on top of an overlooking hill. “Seeing his platoon immobilized and in danger of Sailors failing in its mission, Roberts crawled rapidly toward the closest enemy bunker. He then leaped to his feet and Interim Period. Williams, Louis. Non-posthumous. charged the bunker, firing as he ran.” Despite the intense small arms fire directed at him, Roberts “silenced the This Type I Navy Medal of Honor was awarded to two-man bunker.” Without hesitation, Roberts then Williams “for personal valor” in the waters off Honolulu, continued his one-man assault on a second enemy T.H. when, on March 16, 1883, he jumped overboard fortification. As he neared this second bunker, a burst from the U.S.S. Lackawanna and rescued “from drowning of enemy fire knocked his M-16 rifle from his hands. Thomas Moran, landsman.” Williams later received a Roberts, however, picked up a rifle dropped by another second Medal of Honor for rescuing from drowning soldier and continued his assault, silencing the bunker. William Cruise, who had fallen overboard at Callao Peru He continued his charge against a third bunker and on June 13, 1884. (The Navy awarded the Medal of destroyed it with hand grenades. Honor for non-combat heroism until Congress prohibited such awards in August 1942). Although Roberts was now cut off from his platoon, he continued his assault against a fourth enemy The mixture of Gothic and block lettering is quite emplacement. Then “he fought through a heavy hail of distinctive and unusual, in that some of the lettering fire to join elements of the adjoining company which is upright, some is in large and small capitals, some is had been pinned down by the enemy fire. Although curved, and some is slanted to the right (Figure 14). Look continually exposed to hostile fire, he assisted in closely at the manner in which the engraving is laid out moving wounded personnel from exposed positions on to see the variety of styles used by the engraver: the hilltop to an evacuation area before returning to his FOR PERSONAL VALOR unit.” TO LOUIS WILLIAMS

8 JOMSA U.S.S. LACKAWANA CONDUCT IN THE CAPTAIN OF THE TOPL PRESENCE OF THE HONOLULU H.I. ENEMY, IN BATTLES MARCH 16TH ON THE 13TH, 20TH, 21ST, 1883 AND 22D OF JUNE 1900 WHILE WITH THE RELIEF EXPEDITION UNDER VICE ADMIRAL SEYMOUR JAY WILLIAMS. COXWAIN. U.S.S. NEWARK

Figure 14: Naming on Medal of Honor awarded to Captain of the Topsail Louis Williams, U.S.N. Figure 15: Naming on Medal of Honor awarded to Coxswain According to the United States Army Center of Military Jay Williams, U. S. N. History, Williams held the rank of “Captain of the Hold;” however, his medal reflects his rank as “Captain of the World War II: Scott, Norman. Posthumous. Topl” (Topsail). This Navy Type V Medal of Honor was one of the last Boxer Rebellion: Williams, Jay. Non-Posthumous. awarded before the Navy transitioned to a neck ribbon with a cravat pad (the so-called Type VIII). This Navy Type II Medal of Honor was awarded to Williams for his heroism during the China Relief The reverse of Scott’s medal shown in Figure 16 is Expedition on June 13, 20, 21, and 22, 1900. According to unusual in that it not only reflects he is “deceased” but his official citation, Williams held the rank of Coxswain at also adds that “he gave up his life for his country.” Is the time and “during this period and in the presence of the this not unnecessary verbage? The engraver otherwise enemy … distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.” continues the Navy practice of providing as much detail as possible about the event for which Medal of Honor was The amount of detail placed on the reverse of this medal awarded. Note the use of both large and small capitals (Figure 15) by the engraver is remarkable when compared in the hand engraving. to the other Army Medals of Honor in this study. The block lettering, all in capitals, slants slightly to the right. REAR ADMIRAL Note that the engraver used both large and small capitals NORMAN SCOTT in engraving Williams’ name. U.S. NAVY (DECEASED) FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM FOR DISTINGUISHED IN COMBAT WITH POWERFUL

Vol. 61, No. 2 (March - April 2010) 9 JAPANESE FORCES OFF SAVO ISLAND, is a beautiful mix of script and block hand engraving, NOVEMBER 12-13, 1942. using large and small letters (Figure 17). HE LED HIS FORCE INTO BATTLE AGAINST TREMENDOUS ODDS AND Personal Valor ACCOMPLISHED HIS MISSION MILES M. OVIATT HE GAVE UP HIS LIFE Corporal of Marines FOR HIS COUNTRY. U.S.S. Brooklyn Mobile Bay, Augt 5, 1864

Oviatt received his Medal of Honor for his gallantry while on board the U.S.S. Brooklyn in Mobile Bay, Alabama on August 5, 1864. “During action against rebel forts and gunboats and … despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked the deck, Cpl. Oviatt fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious two-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee.”

Figure 16: Naming on Medal of Honor awarded to Rear Admiral Norman Scott, U. S. N.

According to the citation for his Medal of Honor, Scott “intercepted a Japanese Task Force intent upon storming our island positions and landing reinforcements at Guadalcanal” and, “with courageous skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, destroyed Figure 17: Naming on Medal of Honor awarded to Corporal 8 hostile vessels and put the others to flight.” When the Miles M. Oviatt, U.S.M.C. Japanese returned a month later, “he led his force into a desperate battle against tremendous odds, directing Boxer Rebellion. Preston, Herbert I. Non-posthumous. close-range operations against the invading enemy until he himself was killed in the furious bombardment by This Navy Type IV Medal of Honor was awarded to their superior firepower.” Scott “gallantly gave his life in Private Herbert Irving Preston for his gallantry “in the service of his country” and his sacrifice “contributed the presence of the enemy during the action at Peking, decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet and China, 21 July to 17 August 1900 … throughout this to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese period, Preston distinguished himself by meritorious offensive.” conduct.” While the engraver used all capital letters, his use of flourishes and other artistic details makes this an Marines unusual piece (Figure 18). A comparison of this Medal of Honor with the Medal of Honor to Jay Williams Civil War. Oviatt, Miles M. Non-Posthumous. (Figure 15) indicates that the same person engraved both medals. Given that both Medals of Honor were for This Navy Type I Medal of Honor to a Marine recipient

10 JOMSA the Boxer Rebellion, this is a logical conclusion. DURING THE ATTACK ON FOR DISTINGUISHED FORT RIVIERE, HAITI. CONDUCT NOV. 17, 1915. IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ENEMY IN ERECTING BARRICADES UNDER HEAVY FIRE AT PEKIN, JULY 21 TO AUGUST 17, 1900: HERBERT I. PRESTON PRIVATE U.S.M.C.

Figure 19: Major General Smedley D. Butler, U.S.M.C.

Figure 18: Naming on Medal of Honor awarded to Private Herbert I. Preston, U.S.M.C.

Haiti. Butler, Smedley D. Non-posthumous.

This Navy Type V Medal of Honor was awarded to Major Smedley D. Butler (Figure 19), one of the most famous Marines in history. This was Butler’s second Medal of Honor; he had already received the medal for his distinguished conduct at Veracruz in 1914. (Butler is one of only 19 men to twice be awarded the Medal of Figure 20: Naming on Medal of Honor awarded to Major Honor). The hand engraving is in block capital letters, Smedley D. Butler., U.S.M.C. all of which are the same size (Figure 20). The only exception is the first letters of Butler’s rank and name; On November 17, 1915, then Major Butler was serving the “M,” “S,” “D,” and “B” are slightly larger. as the “Commanding Officer of detachments from the 5th, 13th, 23d Companies and the marine and sailor MAJOR SMEDLEY D. BUTLER detachment from the U.S.S. Connecticut” when he U.S.M.C. led an attack on Fort Riviere, Haiti. According to the FOR official citation, “several different detachments of CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY marines gradually closed in on the old French bastion

Vol. 61, No. 2 (March - April 2010) 11 fort in an effort to cut off all avenues of retreat for the fierce frontal attack, the Japanese “blasted” the Marine Caco bandits.” After the Americans reached the fort’s positions with grenades and mortar fire and one of southern side, where there was a small opening in the Sgt. Basilone’s sections, with its guncrews, was put wall, “Maj. Butler gave the signal to attack and marines out of action, leaving only two men able to carry on. from the 15th Company poured through the breach, “Moving an extra gun into position, Basilone placed it engaged the Cacos in hand-to-hand combat, took the in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another bastion and crushed the Caco resistance … Throughout and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line this perilous action, Maj. Butler was conspicuous for his until replacements arrived.” Later, with ammunition bravery and forceful leadership.” low and supply lines cut off, Basilone “battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his World War I: Pruitt, John H. Posthumous. gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment.” This Navy Type VI Medal of Honor, the so-called first style “Tiffany Cross”, was posthumously awarded to Corporal John Henry Pruitt for heroism at Blanc Mount Ridge, France, on October 3, 1918. On that occasion, Pruitt single-handedly attacked two German machineguns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He “then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby.” Pruitt was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.” He was serving with 78th Company, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Division at the time of his death. The United States Army Center of Military History’s website indicates that Pruitt also was awarded a posthumous Army Medal of Honor (with an identical citation) but his Navy-issued Tiffany Medal of Honor is shown here.8

AWARDED Figure 21: Naming on Medal of Honor awarded to Corporal TO John Henry Pruitt, U.S.M.C. CORPORAL JOHN HENRY PRUITT UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BLANC MOUNT RIDGE FRANCE OCTOBER 3, 1918

Note that the first two lines, AWARDED / TO are not engraved but are actually cast as raised letters on the Navy Type VI Medal of Honor (Figure 21). The remaining four lines, however are all hand engraved in a combination of large and small capitals (with only Pruitt’s rank and name utilizing both large and small capital letters)

World War II: Basilone, John. Non-posthumous.

Then Sergeant John Basilone (shown in Figure 22 wearing his Navy Type VIII Medal of Honor with its folded cravat pad) was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, in the Lunga Figure 22: Sergeant John Basilone wearing his Medal of Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on October 24-25, Honor. 1942. According to the official citation, “Basilone, in charge of two sections of heavy machineguns,” fought Basilone was the only enlisted Marine in World War II valiantly to check a savage Japanese assault. In a to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross;

12 JOMSA be one of the few (if not the only) World War II-era machine-engraved Medal of Honor (Figure 24); all other sea service Medals of Honor examined by the author were hand engraved. While this medal is in a private collection, there does not appear to be any reason to doubt its authenticity. Note that size of the capital letters vary from line to line, with the largest used on lines 2 and 4 and the smallest on lines 7 and 8.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO PFC WESLEY PHELPS, USMCR FOR SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY ON PELELIU ON 4 OCTOBER 1944

Figure 23: Naming on Medal of Honor awarded to Sergeant John Basilone, U.S.M.C. he received this last award posthumously, since he was killed in action in the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945.

Basilone’s Medal of Honor is hand engraved in large and small block capital letters; note that the last four lines use smaller letters (Figure 23).

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO SERGEANT JOHN BASILONE USMC FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY ON GUADALCANAL, S.I. OCTOBER 24 AND 25, 1942 Figure 24: Naming on Medal of Honor awarded to Private World War II: Phelps, Wesley. Posthumous.. First Class Wesley Phelps, U.S.M.C.

This Navy Type VIII Medal of Honor was posthumously Korea: Kelso, Jack W. Posthumous. awarded to Phelps for his “conspicuous gallantry” against Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, on October 4, This Navy Type IX Medal of Honor was awarded to 1944. During “a savage hostile counterattack,” Phelps Private First Class Jack William Kelso for his heroism was with another Marine “in an advanced position as a Marine rifleman in Korea on October 2, 1952. As his when a Japanese handgrenade landed in his foxhole.” citation explains, “when both the platoon commander The young Marine “instantly shouted a warning to and the platoon sergeant became casualties during the his comrade and rolled over on the deadly bomb” and defense of a vital outpost against a numerically superior absorbed “with his own body the full, shattering impact enemy force attacking at night under cover of intense of the exploding charge.” small-arms, grenade, and mortar fire, Pfc. Kelso bravely exposed himself to the hail of enemy fire in a determined This is an unusual Medal of Honor, as it appears to effort to reorganize the unit and to repel the onrushing

Vol. 61, No. 2 (March - April 2010) 13 attackers. Forced to seek cover, along with 4 other 26 shows then Colonel Fox wearing his Medal of Honor marines, in a nearby bunker which immediately came and other decorations and medals. under attack, he unhesitatingly picked up an enemy grenade which landed in the shelter, rushed out into the open and hurled it back at the enemy. Although painfully wounded when the grenade exploded as it left his hand, and again forced to seek the protection of the bunker when the hostile fire became more intensified Pfc. Kelso refused to remain in his position of comparative safety and moved out into the fire-swept area to return the enemy fire, thereby permitting the pinned-down marines in the bunker to escape. Mortally wounded while providing covering fire for his comrades, Pfc. Kelso, by his valiant fighting spirit, aggressive determination, and self-sacrificing efforts in behalf of others, served to inspire all who observed him.”

Kelso’s Medal of Honor is hand engraved in large and small capital block letters (Figure 25):

Figure 26: Colonel Wesley L. Fox.

Fox received his Medal of Honor for heroism on February 22, 1969, when he was serving as a Marine company commander in the A Shau Valley, Quang Tri Province. After Fox and his men “came under intense fire from a large well concealed enemy force,” Fox was able “to move to a position from which he could assess the situation and confer with his platoon leaders.” But, as Fox and these leaders “departed to execute the plan he had devised, the enemy attacked. “Fox was wounded along with all of the other members of the command Figure 25: Naming on the Medals of Honor awarded to group, except the executive officer.” Despite his injuries, Private Jack W. Kelso, U.S.M.C. Fox continued to direct the activity of his company and, “advancing through heavy enemy fire,” Fox personally THE PRESIDENT OF THE neutralized one enemy position and calmly ordered an UNITED STATES assault against the hostile emplacements.” Fox “then IN THE NAME OF THE CONGRESS moved through the hazardous area coordinating aircraft TO support with the activities of his men. When his executive PRIVATE JACK W. KELSO, USMC officer was mortally wounded, Fox reorganized the FOR SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE company and directed the fire of his men as they hurled CALL OF DUTY IN KOREA ON 2 OCTOBER 1952 grenades against the enemy and drove the hostile forces into retreat. Wounded again in the final assault, Fox Vietnam: Fox, Wesley L. Non-posthumous. refused medical attention, established a defensive posture, and supervised the preparation of casualties for medical This Type X Navy Medal of Honor with its distinctive evacuation.” large cravat pad was awarded to then 1st Lieutenant Fox for his gallantry in action in Vietnam. Figure 7 shows Like the Army Medal of Honor to Gordon Roberts the obverse of Fox’s Medal of Honor, including the three (Figure 11), this Navy Medal of Honor to Fox is machine snaps for fastening the ribbon around one’s neck. Figure

14 JOMSA engraved. Note, however, that the engraving on the Fox Medal of Honor (Figure 27) is more typical of machine lettering as opposed to the deep machine stamping on the Roberts award. The Fox Medal of Honor is engraved entirely in block capital letters with the recipient’s rank (Fox had been promoted to captain at the time he received the Medal of Honor) and name in larger letters. The Fox medal is sufficiently unusual in its wording and engraving to raise suspicion that it is not genuine; however it has a verified provenance and is absolutely genuine.

Figure 28: Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro.

Figure 27: Naming on the Medals of Honor awarded to Captain Wesley L. Fox, U.S.M.C.

CAPT WESLEY L. FOX U.S.M.C. FOR ACTION ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY IN VIETNAM ON 22 FEBRUARY 1969

Coast Guardsmen

World War II: Munro, Douglas A. Posthumous.

Since Munro is the sole Coast Guard recipient of the Medal of Honor, his Type VIII Navy medal is unique. Additionally, of all the Medals of Honor depicted in this study, Munro’s award has the most detailed engraving Figure 29: Naming on the Medals of Honor awarded to and the most information about his act of extraordinary Signalman First Class Douglas Albert Munro, U.S.C.G. heroism. Few photographs exist of Munro in uniform; the official Coast Guard photograph at Figure 28 shows he saved space by substituting the Arabic number “9” for him as a Signalman First Class. the month of September. The engraver also blocked his inscription on both the left and the right – a unique style The reverse of Munro’s Medal of Honor (Figure 29) is among all Medal of Honor depicted in this preliminary hand engraved in block capital letters and the engraver study of Medal of Honor engraving. added a number of distinctive flourishes; note also that

Vol. 61, No. 2 (March - April 2010) 15 DOUGLAS ALBERT MUNRO with as much information from the official SIGNALMAN FIRST CLASS citation as possible. USCG FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM More work needs to be done in studying naming styles AND CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY IN on Army and Navy Medals of Honor and the author ACTION ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS OFFICER IN CHARGE OF welcomes comments from JOMSA readers on this A GROUP OF 24 HIGGINS BOATS preliminary examination. He also solicits additional ENGAGED IN THE EVACUATION OF A photographs and details on engraving styles. BATTALION OF MARINES TRAPPED BY ENEMY JAPANESE FORCES AT Endnotes POINT CRUZ GUADALCANAL ON 1. Since the Stolen Valor Act makes it a criminal offense to buy, 9-27, 1942. HE GALLANTLY sell and trade the Medal of Honor, collecting America’s highest decoration is difficult at best. GAVE UP HIS LIFE 2. John E. Strandberg and Roger J. Bender identify six Army types, IN DEFENSE OF ten Navy types and one Air Force type. Strandberg and Bender, HIS COUNTRY. The Call of Duty (2d ed.) San Jose, California: R. J. Bender Publishing, 2004, 17-88. The Air Force type is not discussed in this The official citation for Munro’s Medal of Honor article because the author did not have access to officially named contains additional details not cited on the reverse of Air Force Medals of Honor. 3. Charles P. McDowell, Military and Naval Decorations of the the Medal of Honor planchet. On September 27, Munro United States. Springfield, Va.: Quest Publishing (1984). For was “under constant strafing by enemy machineguns on additional details on the Navy Medal of Honor, see Fred L. Borch the island” when he “daringly led 5 of his small craft and Charles P. McDowell, Sea Service Medals: Military Awards toward the shore.” Then, “as he closed the beach, he and Decorations of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. signaled the others to land, and then in order to draw Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 2009. 4. Military and Naval Decorations of the United States, 26. the enemy’s fire and protect the heavily loaded boats, 5. The Call of Duty illustrates how the Type IV could be fitted with he valiantly placed his craft with its two small guns as a a cravat on page 46. shield between the beachhead and the Japanese.” Munro 6. For illustrations of this fouled anchor on the Navy Type I Medal of was killed when the evacuation was nearly completed, Honor see The Call of Duty, 55-57, 60. 7. For illustrations of the Navy Medal of Honor Type VI and VII, see “but his crew, two of whom were wounded, carried on The Call of Duty, 75. until the last boat had loaded and cleared the beach.” 8. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/worldwari.html

Conclusion

While the number of Medals of Honor consulted in this preliminary study of naming styles is fairly limited, each photograph of a genuine, officially named Medal of Honor allows one to determine that every officially awarded Medal of Honor is officially engraved (or impressed, as with the award to Gordon R. Roberts) with the recipient’s name and rank. The following additional conclusions also are possible:

Army awards have the least information and stand in stark contrast to the rich detail usually found on Medal of Honor awards to Navy, Marine and Coast Guard personnel; except for its earliest Medal of Honor issues, the Army appears to place a priority solely on engraving rank, name and unit of assignment;

Medals of Honor presented to sea service personnel consistently contain the date and location of the act of heroism. Some, like the Medal of Honor awarded posthumously to Norman Scott and Douglas Munro, are engraved

16 JOMSA