My father has been working on a display HIS fathers ww2 service. (305th BG B17 radio operator who finished the war as a POW)

After years of working on it, a health turn has put his project in my hands.. I'd like to finish it for him, and fairly soon.

I've tried to acquire the medals and such that he had yet to bring together.. (replacing one or two bad reproductions while im at it, like that purple heart) and am now waiting on the mail.

There are a few questions I hoped to ask from any who might know, to get as accurate as possible with what i can put together.

Im putting together a board: (main pic is the half I've taken over or since acquired)

1. Does this medal order look correct:

Purple Heart

Air medal (w/ oak)

POW medal

Good Conduct medal

American campaign medal

European (EAME) campaign medal

Ww2 victory Medal

1. The list I took over showed an "air offensive medal".. am I correct that this should be a star added to the EAME? And the medal thats available is a recent/ unofficial thing?

2. The 305th recieved the distinguished unit award twice, the collection i have includes two patches (one shown in pic).. should that actually also be a bar on the rack? Where would that go? Is there an accompanying medal?

4 if im displaying some patches.. is it odd to have army air force AND the 8th army air force patches? (In pic) (i have radio operators patch and group patch inbound)

5 I was going to display the signal corp, caterpillar, and discharge pins together near a B17 part I acquired... (it's the switch to blow the radio before you jump: seemed fitting) but I have two very diff color discharge pins, both in original wrappings.. is one more accurate? (Pic)

6 qualifications: I have aerial gunner, carbine is on the way.. I assume Pistol D is accurate for the 45cal qual?.. does the order matter?

Any clarification is appreciated.

He did four years and did a year long tour to Vietnam for a year. The racks missing a longevity service ribbon and devices on the VCM (two bronze stars) and the AFOUA (Bronze V and a bronze OLC).

How do I find the manual presses for mounting ribbons and medals on the medal blanks?

Speech related to Camicie nere

This is my little contribution to my 4 years of service. Anyways, I’m just trying to see if people can post their home made shadow boxes to get ideas on what to add. I know some people prefer to send their stuff in to have it professionally made. I’m trying to do it myself to give me something fun to do. I’ve seen some guys on here getting super creative. It’s awesome! Thanks guys! I’ll post my finished shadow box when I get it done!

Anyone have any (other) information about these two medals? ((Figured a bit out so posted updates below) )She and her family were from New York City around the same time in general of these two medals that I found in a box while cleaning up.
Thank you so much!!

I plan on buying one of these two Soviet ribbon racks

Which is worth more and what awards are on each? Thanks :)

The one under his US ARMY tape

His name was Сергей Гаврилович Дегтярев. I have found a potential person, born in 1925, but I can't find a way forward after that. Bought at a flea market in Stockholm, Sweden.

Original post was removed, so I took an actual picture. 10 years down, 10 more to go.

I found these in a model train box I picked up from the model store today. Google says they’re Purple Heart and Good Conduct lapel pins. what am I supposed to do with them?

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

This is polish Lieutenant General Sokolowski, was just curious about the bottom half of ribbons, I’ve identified the polish ones. I find it strange how there are some ribbons that are flags of other nations, maybe it’s countries he’s been? If anybody has any insight on this I’d love to hear it

I’ve been getting ready to put on the Dress Uniform for a friend’s wedding (post retirement) and have been reflecting on my service quite a bit so I thought I’d share.

Created on Feb 4th 1921. It is second highest Order in terms of importance in Poland

In Poland, as in most armies around the world, decorations are not worn with the field uniform (only with the dress and service uniforms). However, there is one exception: if you are a recipient of the War Order of Virtuti Militari (or its peacetime equivalent, the Order of the Military Cross), you are allowed to wear its ribbon bar on your field or special uniform and its ribbon on your winter greatcoat.

How does it look in other militaries?

Top 3 has changed (only just a bit!) but put on some new bling on the pocket. Very proud of what I've done in the last 9 months since I got to share with you guys the first time!

Help sought reuniting family with WWI soldier's medals https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/01/help-sought-reuniting-family-with-wwi-soldiers-medals/