🚨INCREDIBLE: He was burning alive, yet he kept re-entering the burning Bradley Fighting Vehicle until all six soldiers and the Iraqi interpreter were safe.
Burns covered 72% of his body. His first words were, ‘How are my boys?’ He died three weeks later.
It took 16 years for him to receive the Medal of Honor. HIS NAME IS SERGEANT FIRST CLASS ALWYN C. CASHE; NEVER FORGET!
Here’s one of the craziest enlisted ribbon bars I have had. Unfortunately it’s not named but I believe that with his length of service and his awards that there’s a slight chance I can put a name to it.
This ribbon bar was to a 30 year enlisted Air Force veteran who most likely served from 1953-1954 to 1983-1984 and saw quite a bit of action during the Vietnam war but never went overseas again after 1980. If he would've stayed in past 1986 there would be at least one other ribbon bar thats not present and that's the Air Force Basic training ribbon.
In December 1986, the criteria expanded and authorized the ribbon to anyone who was on active duty in December 1986, regardless of when they completed initial accession training.
He has the following awards
Bronze star with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation with oak leaf cluster
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation with V device 1 silver and 2 Bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Combat Readiness Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze oak leaf clusters for 21 years of service
Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 knots for 9 years of service
National Defense with 1 star
Armed Forces Expeditionary ribbon
Vietnam Service Ribbon with 1 Silver Star
Air Force longevity ribbon with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze oak leaf cluster for 28 years of service
Air Force NCO ribbon
Air Force Small Arms Expert
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm
Vietnam Campaign
Started enlisted, did some cool things, made Staff Sergeant and had a break in service. Came back on the state guard side, went to OCS, and am still having a good time. One day I’ll get my scrambled eggs!
Dog tags and leather Colonel insignia to Air Force Colonel Harrison R Christy Jr.
Christy was born on July 30th, 1916, in Oklahoma City, and would pass away on December 2nd, 2002, in Dothan, Alabama.
Christy would enlist in the Army Air Corps on September 10th, 1940, and would become an Aviation Cadet. On April 25th, 1941, Christy would be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Corps.
During WW2, Christy would become the commanding officer of the 756th Bombardment Squadron, 459th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, from March 1944 to August 1944 and then from October to December 1944.
During Ww2, Christy would earn the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 8 oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the French Croix de Guerre with palm, which was presented to him in 1949.
After WW2, Christy would hold a number of different positions throughout the Air Force, including commanding several different Air Force bases and installations, including Godman Air Force Base,Whiteman Air Force Base and MacDill Air Force Base.
On February 20th, 1968, Colonel Christy became the Base Commander at Whiteman Air Force Base and held the position until September 30th, 1969.
Colonel Christy retired from the Air Force on September 30th, 1969 after 30 years of service
Among numerous his decorations are the following
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with 8 oak leaf clusters
Presidential Unit Citation
French Croix De Guerre with Palm
American Defense
American Campaign
European Campaign
Ww2 Victory
(French Croix De Guerre with Palm Citation)
The citation reads, on order of the Air Force of the Republic of France, by authority of the Minister of National Defense, that there is prevented herewith to Lt Col Harrison Randolph Christy Jr the Croix de Guerre (Cross of War of 1939-1945 with palm). This decoration is awarded to Lt Col Christy for services as a member of the 459th Bombardment Group of the 15th Air Force.
His extreme heroism while participating in operations of the Allied Forces in France merits the highest praise. He particularly distinguished himself while participating in air raids, which assured the success of the Allied debarkation on the Mediterranean Coast and hastened the liberation of the French National Territory.
This citation authorizes Lt Col Christy to wear the Cross of War of 1939-1945 with palm. Signed by Paul Ramadier in Paris on the 15th of April 1949. Countersigned by Brigadier General Venot, Chief of Personnel, Air Force of the Republic of France, in Paris on the 8th day of July 1949.
https://www.usafunithistory.com/PDF/0700/756%20AIR%20REFUELING%20SQ.pdf
Happy 1 year to me I guess.
we never talk about my dads side of the family, all i knew is that i had a relative who served in WWII but sadly died after the war in a car crash. It was only today that i learned who he was and his contributions to Canadian history, i don’t know the significance or what any of these medals or documentation really mean. I wanted to post images here to share his story and try to learn about my family’s achievements, hoping this community could help explain what some of these mean.
I graduated from boot camp in October 27, 2000. I am looking for resources where I can get a copy of my graduation book.
I am getting ready to attend an unit reunion in a few years and I want to revisit some of my memories from boot camp.
I want to know if I can a digital copy of the book if this is not possible I will order a physical copy of it.
Golf Company was the same company where Jason Dunham graduated from boot camp. He was in a different platoon than me but I was friendly with him at Camp Geiger and ran into him prior to his death.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
On the last pic, does anyone know what the wreath is? He told me he put the photographer patch there even though he wasn’t supposed to. It just got him through security faster.
My great uncle passed away last year and I was given his medals and badges from his time in the military. He was a wonderful guy. I am putting together a shadow box to display these items in remembrance of him in my new home. However, I am not very familiar with the military or what exactly some of these are or mean, though some are very clear. I am concerned about not displaying them correctly. I would hate to be disrespectful out of ignorance, so I’m reaching out for a little help. Are there any particular pieces that need to/should be placed next to each other? Are they oriented correctly? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My buddy got out so frustrated with the army. He was a solid dude and deserved better, so we made him this award. People loved it and now I’m wondering if there’s a USMC/Navy/USAF/Coastie equivalent to the big green weenie (when the army and its whole system fucks you) and maybe I can make some new awards for your branch
I began researching Major Daniel Herr after receiving his rank insignia and his collar disc from my grandfather. who was good friends with his brother.
He was the aide-de-camp to general harding with the 32nd Infantry Division during WWII and general orders reference him as earning the SSM. But my digging has shown no citation. Just references to this general order as well as the story that he was hit by a Japanese strafing run during the New Guinea Campaign
Is there a way I can receive his Citation without requesting his documents from the national archives. As i am not his next of Kin
any suggestions would help!
One of my newest purchases. It's been a minute since I found a cool and interesting ribbon bar like this.
Unfortunately this ribbon bar isn't named at the moment however I'm going to say there's a small chance it could be.
Whoever this Airman was he was definitely a high ranking enlisted guy most likely a E7 or E8 who served for 33 years according to his good conduct medals.
His Air force longevity ribbon is correct with 1 Silver oak leaf cluster for 24 years and 1 additional bronze oak leaf cluster for an additional 4 years of service totaling 30 years.
The Air Force longevity ribbon is only award after 4 years of service so if he would have stayed in another year he would most likely have gotten another bronze oak leaf cluster.
His major awards are the following
Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation with oak leaf cluster
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation with V Device 1 Silver and 2 bronze oak leaf clusters
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
How am I doing?
It’s been a good career so far