Posted: 6/22/2014 8:09:25 AM EDT
 My last Uncle is now 85 years old and has to live in a long term care facility. It is unlikely that he will be able to return to his home . He is a retired CSM, a veteran of the US Army Infantry, a combat veteran of the Korean and Vietnam war.    I would like to prepare a shadow box for his ribbons and unit patches, to present to him when I am able to visit him in October. I have attached a couple of photos and a redacted copy of his DD214.  I also need help to identify his ribbons and awards. Can anyone recommend a company that can create/supply a nice wooden box display ? Thank You for any and all help with this ! |
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Take that 214 to your local VFW, DAV or other service organization or veterans service officer and tell them what you are trying to do. They will get the ribbons and a box for you. They have money just for things like this and have done it thousands of times.
I appreciate what you are doing. Randy |
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Here's my interpretation of his awards:
CIB (2d awd) = Combat Infantryman Badge, second award http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Infantryman_Badge EIB = Expert Infantryman Badge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert_Infantryman_Badge 5 overseas bars = stripes on the sleeve http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Service_Bar Medals in this order: LM w/1st OLC = Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster BSM = Bronze Star Medal AM = Air Medal ARCOM w/2nd OLC = Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters PH = Purple Heart (note: yes, it should be here as the precedence for it wasn't changed until after he retired) GCMDL (8th awd) = Good Conduct Medal, 8th award NDSM w/1st OLC = National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster (note: correct for the time, later a service star was used) KSM = Korean Service Medal (note: campaign stars are not mentioned, but there should be at least 1 if he was in combat in Korea) AFEM = Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal VCG w/Palm = Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with palm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_Gallantry_Cross Civil Action Honor Medal (1st class), another Vietnamese medal (note: although 1st class is listed as being for officers only-- interesting!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Civil_Actions_Medal UNSM = United Nations Service Medal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Service_Medal Interestingly, I think he is missing 2 medals---- He should have the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 campaign stars, and Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960- device, but I do not see them listed in his awards block, although the DD214 clearly states above it that he served there from 19 Jul 66 - 1 Jun 67, |
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Many thanks for both replies ! Unfortunately, there seems too be no VFW Post near my town. I shall try the next town over. Also, should I arbitrarily include the 2 missing medals( Vietnam Service & Vietnam Campaign) in the Shadow box, or is there a process I can help him with to get them on his DD214 ? Thanks again for the help
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Quoted:
Many thanks for both replies ! Unfortunately, there seems too be no VFW Postnear my town. I shall try the next town over. Also, should I arbitrarily include the 2 missing medals( Vietnam Service & Vietnam Campaign) in the Shadow box, or is there a process I can help him with to get them on his DD214 ? Thanks again for the help He will have to fill out a DD215, which is a correction form to the DD214, I would just include those ribbons for him if you are making this a surprise. Even easier would be to get the ribbons he probably has sitting around on his old uniform. Link to Army website about DD215 |
| A place like Medals of America can help you with a shadow box. The lack of the two Vietnam service ribbons is likely a clerical error. Your uncles DD214 shows his service in Vietnam, so the award of those medals is automatic. |