Erics' Dad Navy Medals
 

Tho years ago I was contacted by a half sister I never knew I had. Since then we have reunited our famial relationship. My father left mom and me in 1961 and died in 1979 as a salvage diver. Yesteday my sister sent me these two medals and I wonder if anyone can tell me anything about them.

Eric,

The top medal is the US Navy Good Conduct Medal. The bottom one is the US Navy Achievement Medal.

Hope this helps,

John

Thank You John. GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL????? I havent ever seen these pictures. What you can do with a computer!

Eric, All of the services have a "good conduct medal" that is presented every couple or 3 years if you haven't been in any kind of disciplinary trouble... It is really a "thanks for staying out of trouble medal" :D

The achievement medal was given for a specific act of special or exceptional service.

I wonder who he bribed! He served 2 years for bigamy in Arkansas Pass Texas. Missed Utah by 40 miles!

Eric,

Well, although from your comments he left something to be desired as a father, he must have been doing something right in the Navy.

The GCM is awarded every three years and, as John Sabato pointed out, it is automatically awarded to everyone who stayed out of trouble.

The Navy Achievement Medal, and it looks like there is an Oak Leaf Cluster meaning an additional award, is for exceptional achievement but not rising to the level of that required to be awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.

And it appears from the photos that he ended his service as an officer.

John

No You are right. My newly found sister is writing a book on His escapades! I am in many way just like him. My sister and every one tried to stop his smoking but to no avail. He died of lung cancer in 79' We both missed out! Different times different lives!

My step sister sent be these idems

Eric,
Your stepsister appears to be a gem for sharing your father's belongings and history. Latch on to her and love her for preserving the honorable side of your Dad.

Allison is a gem! We are both a little wacky! We hadn't seen each other in 27 years and it was like yesterday. Shes also an author and I've already ordered 3 copies! God does have a sence of humor!!

Eric,

That's a very interesting sotry. Your father was awarded other medals as far as I can see in his ribbon bar and was a WWII veteran. We could help you to identify the others if you can provided a bigger scan of your pictures.

Douglas.

Thanks Doug, I'll check with my- sister and see what fother information she can provide! She woul appreciate any help you could provide.

He was a shipmate on the USN Thorn. I understand He was at the ships' reunion!

Hi everyone.
I'm Eric's sister, Allison.
Dad died of Lung Cancer in 1985. I was born in 1976. I have other medals that he earned and his military history. He served in the navy for 16yrs then went on to be a savage diver with Jascue Custoque. (I can't spell his name). He was a stunt diver on the Sea Hunt series. I have pics from that. Sometime during his adventures he became a sponge diver in Florida. When my mom met dad in 1975 he was living in New York City. He became a respitory therapist in Ohio. Later in life he sold life insurance.
I have dad's WWII Victory medal. I have recently moved so I will hae to search for his records.

I understand Dad was a shipmate on the USN Thorn

He was.

Found another
 

Is there a reference book I can consult?

Hi Allison, and welcome to the forum.

Considering your father's history, you might be interested in an old movie called "Beneath The 12 Mile Reef". It's about the Tarpon Springs Florida sponge diver community. I think you can find the DVD on Amazon etc... fairly inexpensively.

This site: http://www.usamilitarymedals.com/us-...FQTu7QodJCaT4w seems to have several medals with explanations. For example: http://www.usamilitarymedals.com/nat...edal-p-39.html

Marc

tKS, After I retured to Florida in 81, we took a ride over and went on one of the tourist dide boats. I approached one of the old timer who remember my father and only thing he said was that 'ols Dutch' still owed a hundred buck! These Greeks have some memory!!

Eric,

The medal is the: National Defense Service Medal. Awarded automatically to everyone who serves.

Try this site for information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awards_...tates_military

Hope this helps.

John