Eagle Medal for a chain? [solved]

[hubbmax]

Hello, I'm a new member on this site, though I've found it very entertaining to read for some time. This is my first post. I've had my detector for only a couple months. Have found some novelty items around my own property, but nothing valuable yet, and no coins[!].

What I'm showing here is an object that I came upon (without a detector) while digging in a garden. Want to see if I have the photo size okay for posting, and would like info on this thing if anyone recognizes it.

I have it sized in the picture. I've studied it with a magnifying glass. It has no marks or lettering on it. It's apparently brass. Weighs an ounce on an ordinary food scale. The little thing on top has a tiny hole through it (for a thin chain or wire I guess). That top is bent back a bit. Can't tell if that's intentional or it got damaged.

It seems way too clunky to me to be some kind of jewelry or even a toy. Could it be a giant, heavy zipper-pull? If anyone out there can tell me about this object I'd appreciate it very much. Thanks.

 

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[mojjax]

Re: Eagle Medal for a chain?

Maybe a pendulum for a small clock

 

[Retired Sarge]

Re: Eagle Medal for a chain?

I know what that is, it's the medallion from an Air Medal! And Welcome to TNet!

Background
The Air Medal was established by Executive Order 9158 on May 11, 1942 and amended by Executive Order 9242 on Sept. 11, 1942.

Criteria
It is awarded to U.S. military and civilian personnel for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievements while participating in aerial flight and foreign military personnel in actual combat in support of operations. Required achievement is less than that required for the Distinguished Flying Cross, but must be accomplished with distinction above and beyond that expected of professional airmen.

It is not awarded for peace time sustained operational activities and flights. Approval or disapproval authority is delegated to major command commanders or vice commanders for military and secretary of the Air Force for civilians and foreign military personnel. MAJCOMs will identify the missions and positions that qualify for this award. HQ USAF/XO must certify MAJCOM criteria.

This decoration is the same for all branches of the armed forces of the United States. The medal was designed by Walker K. Hancock, after an open competition, which also carried a cash award of $1,500 for the winning design.

Medal Description
The medal is a bronze compass rose of sixteen points with a fleur-de-lis design on the top point. On the obverse, in the center, is an eagle, swooping downward (attacking) and clutching a lightning bolt in each talon. The reverse has a raised disk on the compass rose, left blank for the recipient's name and rank.

Ribbon Description
The ribbon has a broad stripe of ultramarine blue in the center flanked on either side by a wide stripe of golden orange, and with a narrow stripe of ultramarine blue at the edge, the original colors of the Army Air Corps.

Authorized device: Oak leaf cluster

Weighted Airman Promoted System Point Value: 3


Mike
USAF Retired

 

[Dano Sverige]

Re: Eagle Medal for a chain?

Good one Mike. Shame it's not engravd and could be returned. Nice find.

 

[hubbmax]

Re: Eagle Medal for a chain?

Whoa, thank you mojjax for your thoughts, and ffuries for the immediate response and the great photo!

Umm.... do you think this item has some value? Is there a market for it?

Can I assume that this particular medal wasn't actually awarded to anyone, since it isn't engraved?
I suppose its ribbon rotted away in the ground....

 

[Retired Sarge]

While medals that were issued during WWII are nomally engraved, not always were they, even today not all medals are engraved. None of my medals are, and several of them have a spot for them to be engraved. Now if I wanted to I can take mine down to an engaver and have it done. Then again my Dad served from 62-88 and none of his are engaved either.

So yours was either issued and never engraved, or was a replacement medal. As for the time period yours is from, that I can not tell you.

Mike
USAF Retired

 

[Ralph in Upstate NY]

nice find .....welcome to the forum
Now go find some coins....