Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 57A:
Description
A large and varied grouping of United States medals, qualification and organization badges, ribbon drapes, and ribbon bars, running from the Mexican Service period and the Navy’s 1919 transatlantic flight through the Second World War. The lot is offered as a single collection as photographed, with full-size medals, miniatures, loose ribbons, and several pieces still in small bags or on cards.
Among the more distinctive pieces is a gilt medal of the first transatlantic flight of the United States Navy, May 1919, with a seagull over the water and the commemorative legend of that NC-4 crossing. Three bronze crosses with crossed swords and a central bust represent Spanish-American War / early-twentieth-century veterans or campaign-style badges. Three United States Marine Corps gilt crosses carry the eagle-globe-anchor above a center marked BRAVO. A group of gilt crosses with green enameled laurel wreaths and the federal eagle appears to be marksmanship or veterans-organization insignia, present in multiple examples. A bronze eagle-on-cross badge is consistent with distinguished-service or flying-cross types.
Air service awards are well represented. There are several Airman’s Medals, full-size and miniature, showing the kneeling figure with child and eagle, together with a gilt Air Medal in the familiar sixteen-point sunburst with eagle and lightning bolts. Three octagonal United States Coast Guard medals dated from the 1790 founding, with shield and anchors, are the Good Conduct pattern. Five Purple Hearts are included, among them a miniature, the gilt hearts with Washington’s profile on purple enamel. A strong run of World War II Victory Medals – Liberty standing, WORLD WAR II on the exergue – accounts for the better part of the lower row, some still in bags, joined by an American Campaign Medal and a Mexican Service Medal, 1911-1917, with the fortress and harbor scene.
Loose and mounted ribbon is plentiful: a length of blue American Campaign-style ribbon with red and white edges; Mexican Service green-and-yellow; red Good Conduct or similar; blue-and-gold and red-and-blue drapes on cards; European-African-Middle Eastern and American campaign bars; a rainbow Victory ribbon bar; and a small group of pin-back ribbon bars, including a red bar with white stars and bars in the national colors. Condition varies from bright gilt to honest age toning, with some medals bagged, some ribbons folded or on paper mounts, and hardware not complete on every piece. A substantial dealer or collector lot with several Purple Hearts and a useful spread of air, sea, and campaign awards in one hammer. Please examine all photographs carefully. Sold as-is.
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