Baldwin County Veterans Book Will Be a Continuing Project in Volumes and Set Alphabetically
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A Note From The Author Thanks to our Baldwin County Alabama Veterans for being a part, of this county’s history. For their time in the military services passed and living. I would like to thank all of the many families of this county that have contributed, their love ones stories, and personal combat story for this book. This first introduction of the Baldwin County Veterans book will be a continuing project in volumes and set alphabetically. Due to many veteran pictures missing in this first volume I will be still collecting war stories, and pictures in or out of uniform every three months to replace or enhance the current information that is available. I will expect war time weddings and how this ties back to Baldwin County. Please name WW I, WW II, Army, Navy, Air Force Vietnam, Korean War, Desert Storm, Sea Battle, Ground Combat, Names of Battleships & names of War Planes and Remember to all service families. The Bay Minette Archive building will receive your veteran picture(s) and information. The old picture of the World War I Alabama Rainbow Division tents that camp over night before marching to Montgomery, Alabama belong to my grandfather, and remains in the Matthews family. The contents of this publication will be used for reference to our Baldwin County Veterans Vol. 1 @2003- @2017 and all contents are held by the owner under strict compliance with no copies unless purchased from the owner. Information @ [email protected] or Baldwin Co. Archives @251-580-1909. Baldwin County Alabama Veteran’s History By S.M. Matthews @2003 - 2016 Page 1 About Campaign Medals for the United States Armed Forces in World War II On December 7,1942, when the Japanese attacked, Pearl Harbor, the United States became part of the Allied effort in the War that had been going on since 1938. World War II was a global conflict on a scale which mankind had never before even imagined. Forty Million lives were lost before the first capitulation of the Avis powers on September 2, 1945. Armed Forces of the United States served all over the world, and it was decided that medals would be awarded for service in one of three carefully bounded and defined areas. The three areas taken to gather encompass the entire globe. The different Campaign Medals, and a World War II Victory Medal were issued for service in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II. A Bronze Campaign Star Medal was authorized to be worn on the Ribbon Bar of the Medal for service in a specified campaign. A Silver Star Medal is worm in lieu of five bronze stars. A Bronze Arrowhead Medal was authorized by the Army to be worn on the campaign medals to denote invasion participation. The Navy authorized the wearing of a small Marine Corps device, to indicate naval personnel serving with the Marine Corps. unites. Campaign Medals The Victory Medal, World War I. This medal was authorized in 1919, for awards to officers and enlisted men of the United States Armed forces, who had an honorable record for active duty between April, 1917 to November 1918 or for service with the Allied Expeditionary Force in European Russia November 1,1918 to August 5,1919 and in Siberia November 23,1918 to April 1, 1920. Designed by James E. Fraser, the obverse shows a female winged figure with a shield and sword symbolic of Victory. Baldwin County Alabama Veteran’s History By S.M. Matthews @2003 - 2016 Page 2 A unique feature of the Victory Medal was the adoption of clasps to be worn on the suspension ribbon of the medal. The Army adopted thirteen battle clasps to indicate participation in a major campaign, and a Defensive Sector clasps. The also created five service clasp with the name of countries – they were awarded to persons not entitled to battle clasps. These clasps are worn on the medal ribbon, and are represented by small Bronze Stars on the ribbon bar. The Navy also authorized suspension service clasps for Navy and Marine Corps personnel, though members of these units that served with the Army would receive the Battle Clasps, for their combat service. The Navy clasps, were issued for service with a particular type of ship or unit, or for service in a particular area. This is indicated by what is on the medal bar. They are different from the Army clasp, being wider in design and with a rope border. A small Maltese Cross in Bronze was authorized for Navy and Marine Corps. Personnel to, indelicate service with the A.E.F. in France that did not include entitlement to a battle clasps. Troops of the Victorious Allies were stationed as Occupation Troops in Germany, and certain area of Austria – Hungary after the Armistice was signed. American troops stayed in the service for a long period, not leaving until 1923 and appropriate Medal were4 awarded. The United States World War II Badges and Medals The World War II Victory Medal was awarded to all Military personal for service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946. This medal was established by an Act of Congress on July 6, 1945 { Public Law 135- 79th. Congress} , and promulgated by Section V. War Department Bulletin 12 1945. The medal was designed by Mr. Thomas H. Jones and approved by the Secretary of War on February 5, 1946. The Congressional authorization for the World War II Victory Medal included members of the Armed Forces of the Government of the Philippines Islands. It also specified the ending date would be the date of the termination of hostilities as proclaimed by the President Truman officially ended the state of hostilities on December 31,1946. Baldwin County Alabama Veteran’s History By S.M. Matthews @2003 - 2016 Page 3 Army of Occupation Medal Authorized in 1945, this is awarded for thirty days consecutive service in any of the occupied territories after World War II. Clasps inscribed with the words, Germany or Japan were authorized to be worn with the medals. The Berlin Airlift Device was also authorized for personnel for 90 consecutive days of service with a unite credited with participation in the Berlin Aircraft between June 26, 1948 and September 30, 1949. The obverse shows the Reimage Bridge abutments, symbolic of Europe, above this are the words. “ Army Occupation.” The reverse shows Mount Fujiyama, symbolic of Asia. Occupation Service At the close of hostilities it was necessary to station troops in the occupied territories for a number of years, and both the Army and Navy issued Medals for personnel serving in these occupied zones. Services in Europe dates from May 9,1945, and in Asia from September 3,1945. The occupied territories were; Austria, Germany, Italy, Berlin and Japan. American Campaign Medals Authorized on November 6, 1942, and awarded to all members of the armed forces who between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946 served on land or aboard certain ships for one years within the continental limits of the United States or thirty days service outside the continental limits of the United States but within the American Theater of Operations. Baldwin County Alabama Veteran’s History By S.M. Matthews @2003 - 2016 Page 4 European – African – Middle Eastern Campaign Medals Authorized on November 6,1942, and awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in the prescribed area or aboard certain ships for thirty days period between December 7,1941 and November 8, 1945. The smaller craft, and troops with an airplane overhead and aboard in flight. Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal Authorized on November 6, 1942, and awarded to all service members of the armed forces of the United States for thirty days of active service in the prescribed arena and aboard military ships between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945. The obverse shows troops landing in a tropical scene, with palm trees, ships in the background, planes overhead and inscription that reads: Asiatic – Pacific Campaign. Unfortunately, the custom of awarding bars indicating the campaign or service as used on the Victory Medal of World War I was not continued. Army Occupation Medal Authorized in 1945, this is awarded for thirty days consecutive service in any of the occupied territories after World War II. Clasps inscribed with the words, “Germany & Japan,” were authorized to be worn with the medal. The Berlin Airlift Device was also authorized for personnel for consecutive day’s service with a unit credited with participation in the Berlin Airlift between June 26, 1948 and September 30, 1949. Baldwin County Alabama Veteran’s History By S.M. Matthews @2003 - 2016 Page 5 Occupation Services At the close of the war it was necessary for service men to be stationed in these occupied territories for a number of years, and both the Army and Navy issued medals for personnel serving in the occupied zones. Service in, Europe dates from May 9, 1945 and in Asia, from September 3, 1945. These occupied territories were: Germany, Austria, Italy, Berlin and Japan. Women’s Army Corps Service Medals Authorized in 1943 and awarded for service in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps between July 20, 1942 and August 31, 1943 and for service in the Women’s Army Corps from September 1, 1943 to September 2, 1945. The obverse shows the head of Athena, Goddess of Victory and Wisdom, and a sheathed sword, crossed with oak leaves and palm branch and the inscription, “Women’s Army Corps.” The Korean War 1950 – 1953 The Korean War began with the North Korean Invasion of South Korea on June 27, 1950.