Awards & Decorations

The Sino-Japanese War Medal (1894 – 1895)

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The chocolate bronze medal was in a century old black enameled kiri wood box.  Resting in a faded red velvet bed, the obverse shows the Imperial Mon (or crest), a Chrysanthemum, superimposed between two “Rising Sun” flags of the Japanese Empire.  The medal is suspended by a bar from a ribbon of light green with a lighter, almost white green stripe down the center.  On the reverse of the medal in four Japanese characters is the title, “Commemorative medal for service in the war.”  The inscription around the edge of the obverse reads, “Meiji twenty seventh through eighth years” or 1894 – 1895 in the Julian calendar.  The medal commemorates the Sino-Japanese War.

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The Air Medal in World War II

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President Roosevelt authorized the Air Medal by Executive Order on May 11, 1942 “for award to any person who, while serving in any capacity in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States subsequent to September 8, 1939, distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself by meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight.” [1]  It was amended in September of that year to read “….in any capacity in or with…” [2]

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The Chief’s Good Conduct Medal & Tragic Death

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On June 6, 1944, Lieutenant Junior Grade John Golden took off from Camp Kearney, California in the PB4Y-1 Liberator named Pistol Packin’ Mama.  Pistol Packin’ Mama was a former Army Air Forces B-24D Liberator with the tail number 42-40711 assigned to VB-117.  Weather was overcast, with flights restricted to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) only.  LT Golden did not carry out special IFR procedures.  It is precisely uncertain how the pilot maneuvered in the moments following, although the Liberator broke through the cloud cover between Camp Miramar and Camp Kearney.  He reentered the overcast and came out of the cloud cover again in a steep dive at 100 feet above ground level over Camp Linda Vista.  Attempting to recover from this dive, the pilot reentered the overcast in a climb on a northwesterly heading.  Reappearing below the cloud cover, the plane was rocking from side to side in a power stall.  The left wing hit the ground, with the plane bounding through trees and buildings.  Coming to a final rest, a fuel explosion occurred, launching the tail section over the remainder of the fuselage.  The only three survivors in the crew of 12 were in the tail section and suffered severe injuries.  Along the path of destruction was the supply hut of VB-102.  Nine members of VB-102 were killed with eleven more seriously injured. [1] Among those killed in VB-102’s supply hut was Aviation Chief Ordnanceman Edward Ralph Lamberton.

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In Pursuit of a Commission….

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The medals were unnamed, but the grouping came with extensive paperwork attributing them to John George Ward, Jr.  A man whose story is full of courage and sacrifice, but also serves as an example of how chance guides you towards your destiny.

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John G. Ward, Jr. as an enlisted soldier

To put a significant part of this story into context, for the non-veteran, the officer’s commission must be put into context.  Commissioned officers make up approximately 10% of the U.S. military.  The commissioned officer’s authority is derived from Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution.  Supreme Court Justice John Marshall wrote in 1803, “granting a commission is the distinct act, done in the name of the President, which empowers an officer.” [1]

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The Decorated Musician

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Senior Master Sergeant Cedric V. Smith was presented the Air Force Commendation Medal by Lieutenant General Walter Todd on his retirement after 31 years of military service on August 31, 1960.  But this was not the first time the talented musician who had rose to lead the 604th Air Force Band as Bandmaster. [1] As a Master Sergeant, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal at an earlier point in his career.*  The military is a cross section of society, and while few civilians would believe the value the military places on musicians, the recognition SMSgt Cedric Smith received is hard evidence against that misconception.

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When the Name Tag tells the Bronze Star’s Story

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The Bronze Star Medal held a nice beautiful chocolate patina and was in a pristine plastic presentation case from the 1950s and 1960s era.  It was eye catching, with the initials D.C.K. engraved on the back.  This would have meant the recipient would have been unknown and lost to time.  Except for the metal U.S. Air Force name tag to D. C. Kipfer with the Warfare Systems School insignia pointed to an exceptional Air Force Colonel’s Service that spanned from World War II through the Vietnam conflict.  What initially looked to be a story of a singular wartime achievement instead told a story of a man whose contributions in Research & Development had greater strategic impact on the United States Air Force.  This is Colonel Donald C. Kipfer’s story of service.

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A tipping point in my personal “history”

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Today marks 16 years since I took my Oath of Office and accepted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in my beloved Air Force.  Today marks the point where I have guaranteed fewer years ahead of me in my career than behind me as I continue the march to retirement.  I took this photograph several months back, to highlight the history of my beloved Air Force.  It brings me comfort to think that I have left my fingerprints on the history of the world, my nation, and my Air Force.

A rich heritage and an even brighter future…..

AF History

From bottom left corner, clockwise:

    • World War II Navigator “Wings” and an Australian made 5th Air Force Patch on top of European Theater photographs .
    • Overseas Hat from the immediate Post-World War I era Air Service with a World War II-era Bullion “Hap Arnold” Air Forces Patch (top)
    • 1950s Air Force Post Cards (top right corner)
    • The Airman’s Coin I was presented when I was commissioned with the coin of the 12th Space Warning Squadron (my first assignment.)  The 9/11 memorial tab and flight suit name patch for my time with the 10th Missile Squadron.
    • An Army Commendation Medal awarded to M/Sgt Cedric V. Smith and an Air Force Commendation Medal awarded to Maj Lindon E. Strand.  The clear plastic cases were used in the 1950s and 1960s.

 

Royal’s Purple Heart

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It has been the study of the “great men” which most historians have focused on.  The generals (such as George Patton) who guided armies (such as Third Army) through pivotal moments in great wars have been the focus of most historians’ studies.  But among those armies are the microhistories which have shown relatively “minor” men can leave their fingerprints on the course of humanity.  The artifacts left behind are evidence of these microhistories.  Personally, I feel a calling to tell these stories of my brothers in arms.  One such calling hit me on our family vacation last week.  The Purple Heart that belonged to Private Royal Gaunt spoke to me from the moment I first saw it.  This is the story that emerged from that near seventy year old medal.

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The Medal of Honor Presented on January 19, 1967…..

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I have recently began collection militaria connected to the Medal of Honor.  I currently have signatures from three recipients in my collection, and my first program from a Medal of Honor ceremony.

The Medal of Honor holds a special place in U.S. military lore, and for good reason.  It is the second oldest U.S. military decoration* and was established when President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Navy’s Medal of Honor.  Today, there are three distinct designs for the Medal of Honor.  It remains the nation’s highest award for military valor.  These artifacts (pictured below) speak directly to the history of the most recent design, the Medal of Honor awarded by the U.S. Air Force.

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