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Two Young Boys Track Down Veteran’s Family to Return Lost Medals

Photo from Times Harald-Record

Two brothers, Michael and Mauro Mazzariello found several military medals in a local collectibles shop, and began a search for the veteran that they had originally been awarded. After some time, their search led them to Charles George, a young soldier who sacrificed himself to save the other men in his platoon. In 1952 during the Korean War, Charles George was killed in action when dived on a live grenade to absorb the damage and save his fellow soldiers. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice along with several other medals. Michael and Mauro Mazzariello found George’s Purple Heart Medal, his Bronze Star and GCM in an antique shop. The owner gave the medals to the two boys after they promised to track down the original owner and return them. Read Full Story Here...

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The VFW Gives Much Needed Aid to Veteran

Often those who have sacrificed much and more for our freedom and country are forgotten. It is sad and unfair that appreciation for our veterans is not shown enough, but companies like Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are out fighting for the rights and honors of our veterans. Recently, VFW offered considerable aid to a veteran who had been wounded in combat several times. VFW helped Michael Burns through financial means to secure his and his family’s futures.

Photo credit of VFW

Michael Burns was injured several times over multiple tours of duty in Iraq. He demonstrated incredible bravery and dedication as he returned to action each time, once only a month after injuries. It is this kind of hero that a nation can respect and be grateful for. However Michael Burns returned to the United States after his services to discover that he was not able to work in most jobs due to his injuries. In a time of severe financial struggle, the VFW’s Unmet Needs program offered their aid after Michael’s case had been presented. Read Full Story Here...

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NATO Service Medal – Commemorative

NATO Service Medal (Commemorative) honors all US Armed Forces who served in Europe anytime from 1949 to present.

NATO Service Medal (Commemorative) – Overview

NATO Service Medal

Description: Round bronze 1-¼ inches. Front: The Commemorative NATO Service Medal has at its center a compass rose over two crossed swords representing the two main geographical areas of NATO; Europe and North America. Nineteen stars encircle the military medal and represent the original 19 partners of NATO. The circle behind the compass rose and swords represents the unit of NATO. The 1949 founding date of NATO is noted at the bottom of the compass rose.

The NATO Service Medal reverse has a wreath of laurel, the emblem of victory and triumph with a traditional American War eagle at the top. A circular band has the words duty, honor, country separated by a combination of 13 stars. A space in the center is for engraving the recipients name. Read Full Story Here...

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History of USMC Decorations, Medals and Ribbons

Marine Corps Decorations, Medals and Ribbons

Napoleon wrote, “A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.” Wellington, Napoleon’s conqueror, introduced campaign medals to the British Army and the first went to troops who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. Both Napoleon and Wellington realized that decorations and medals express national gratitude and stimulate esprit de corps.

The history of military decorations in the United States began early in the American Revolution, when Congress voted to award gold medals to outstanding military leaders. The first medal was struck to honor George Washington for his service in driving the British from Boston in 1776. Similar medals were awarded to General Horatio Gates for his victory at the Battle of Saratoga and Captain John Paul Jones after his famous naval engagement with the Serapis in 1779. Unlike present practice, however, these were large presentation medals not designed to be worn on a uniform. Read Full Story Here...

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Army Medal of Honor

Establishing Authority: The Army Medal of Honor was established by Joint Resolution of Congress, July 12, 1862 (as amended)

Effective Date: April 15, 1861

Criteria: Awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of one’s own life, above and beyond the call of duty. This gallantry must be performed either while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Recommendation must be submitted within three years of the act and the military medal must be awarded within five years of the act. Read Full Story Here...