Need help with badge abreviations

Posted:
By: Jackie
On: 09/17/2006

Can anyone tell me the meaning of:

CM badge?
AVN badge?

I also need to know how to find these two badges. It has been hard going as I have no idea what they are or what they look like. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Jackie

Re: Need help with badge abreviations

Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 09/17/2006

What context did you find them in? I would hazard a guess that AVN is for Aviation which would mean the appropriate badge for his position on the crew. Pilot would have pilot wings, navigator would have navigator wings, etc.

Re: Need help with badge abreviations

Posted:
By: Jackie
On: 09/18/2006

Hi Scott,

The AVN and CM Badges are listed on his 'Entitlement To Awards' list that I recieved from the goverment. They are replacing his medals which were stolen, (which the goverment will do only once). They have replaced all the medals, but these items were no longer issued by the goverment and that is all the information given on his list of awards/medals.

I thought if I knew what they were or what they looked like, I could try to locate them.

I am trying to replace all his medals/awards and then have them mounted. This will then become a very special family treasure.

I was also fortunate to have found his dog tags...2 sets...one from when he was a POW ( I believe...need to check the difference out) and the other...the last set he had.

I am trying very hard to find everything and keep it together in his memory.

Jackie

Re: Need help with badge abreviations

Posted:
By: Clyde Larry Mings
On: 09/19/2006

Jackie-I was on the mission when Jack was shot down while flying next to us. I was a fellow brass pounder radio gunner, so our jobs were identical. He was qualified for both Enlisted Crew Menber (eagle) and also Gunner wings (winged bullet).All I can think of for the CM notation was Crew Member wings and the AVN may be a typo, since he won the Vietnam "RVN Gallantry"unit award. He would also be qualified for the Honorable Discharge lapel pin (the Ruptured Duck)
The Commerative Medals he is elegible for would almost fill a display case-few retirees know that D-Day and many,many, events had Commerative medals that were never issued, but can be bought.I suggest that you contact WWW.USMEDALS.COM (1-800-308-0849 and request their FREE 65 page catalog of every ribbon and medal data ever authorized. They have display boxes,and have more ribbons than a file-clerk in the Pentagon! (hey give medals for everything now, and a member can have a chestfull of pure "Fruit Salad")

Jack,Sgt.Hill, and I went on pass to London just before his last mission, but I cant find any pictures
Good luck with your project in memory of Jack Sharp.

Re: Need help with badge abreviations

Posted:
By: Jackie (Sharp) Sheflin
On: 09/21/2006

Hi Clyde,

It is wonderful to know someone else who knew my Dad. I miss him so much.

As far as the abbreviations go...these are the abbreviations listed on the actual award list on the government form. They have had me stumped. I have his silver bomber wings, but I do not remember seeing an eagle on anything. One of the items replaced was also the 'Ruptured Duck'.

I am awaiting the last medal and then I intend to send them to be mounted. Sadly, I cannot find rank patches to mount from the WWII period (TSgt) or an extra set of his retirement rank, which was SMSgt. I would like to have mounted them both.

I have seen many commemorative medals and have considered them. How would I know which ones he is eligible for?

I will look through Dad's pictures as time permits and if I see any that might be you...I will definitely send them to you as you may be able to help me identify them.

Hopefully I can find pictures of and Sgt Hill with Dad.You can email me privately any time.

Jackie (Sharp) Sheflin

Re: Need help with badge abreviations

Posted:
By: Cody Dailey
On: 09/21/2006

I would be interested in knowing how to tell which ones my father was or would have been eligible for as well.

My father was JB Dailey of the 615th squadron.

I have his Ruptured Duck lapel pin. I had always wondered what that was for! Now I finally know. :)

Re: Need help with badge abreviations

Posted:
By: Jackie (Sharp) Sheflin
On: 09/21/2006

Cody,

If you are interested in learning more about the "Ruptured Duck" pin and other medal information, you may want to try this site. It has information on medals and ribbons for the Air Force (other military services as well) and there are also nice pictures of the medals.

I always wondered just what the medals my father won were for and this site was a very good place to learn more.

Air Force Ribbons & Medals

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcemedals/l/blafmedals.htm?terms=air+force%20medals

I hope this helps you learn more.

Jackie

Re: Need help with badge abreviations

Posted:
By: C.L. Mingsl
On: 09/23/2006

Jackie-There are other firms selling military items, but the one I recommend is still the WWW.USMEDALS.COM (1.800.308.0849.for the full color 65 page catalog listing of ALL services and "If it aint listed there, it aint!" Both the modern and WW2 ranks are shown on page 37, so you can get both the chevrons you are looking for. Jack put in a full career, and there will be so many Commerative medals
he is elegible for that it will be a tossup whether
you will run out of money or space first-Commerative Medals are "eye candy" and not issued.Most have only the requirement that you were in service for the time covered.Start on page 13 and work from there. This company can assist you in the mounting and selection process.

Re: Need help with badge abreviations

Posted:
By: Ken Barilk
On: 10/12/2006

The Ruptured Duck got its name when payday came in the Army one of the paymasters stated that when these men received their pay, they took off for the nearest town like, "Ruptued Ducks." It was designed by a German.