Unidentified WW2 military medal

[OldCrazyLarry]

After my father's recent passing I found a small box containing my uncle's military ribbons and medals. My uncle, my namesake, was in the Second Marine Division and killed in action on Tinian Island in the Pacific in 1945. The first three medals are easily identified. The medal to the far right. a white cross with a gold Dept. of Defense center and a solid black ribbon is not so easily identified. Any help identifying, if this even goes with this set of medals, would certainly be appreciated

 

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[AU24K]

Looks like a purple heart.
Scott

 

[OldCrazyLarry]

I'm sorry. My picture was too large. Here is the medal in question.

 

[AU24K]

The second one is asian pacific campaign wwII. The third one is Victory medal wwII. The last one I'm not sure...looks similar to legion of merit. could be a foreign issued medal.
Scott

 

[AU24K]

my source of reference is "medals of america"
Scott

 

[AU24K]

website is usmedals.com
I'd guess the last one is french?
Scott

 

[Mackaydon]

Any marks or letters on the back of that unknown medal?

 

[OldCrazyLarry]

I really don't think it's French. He enlisted here in West Virginia, went to Paris Island, then to San Diego and off to the Pacific Campaign. He was never in the European Theater. There are no markings on the backside. The front center of the medal contains the Department of Defense insignia

 

[Mackaydon]

Was you decorated uncle by any chance a Mason?

A similar Maltese cross with the black ribbon is from the Masons - they call them "jewels", not medals, and it resembles a Knights Templar jewel from the Order of Malta.
Just a guess.
Don.......

 

[OldCrazyLarry]

Don, You Found it! I looked it up and that's it! Thanks. It must have belonged either to my father or my grandfather and gotten mixed in. They were both Masons.

 

[Mackaydon]

Thought so; here's another pic:
http://www.usamason.com/Site/KT/KTMaltaPic.asp
Glad to have assisted.

 

[Jazdo]

nice job !!!! all of those are very nice to have. I have also heard that you may be able to get the medals or ribbons that loved one never recieved . A place in St. Louis supposedly dont have ref. right now,but I believe it to be true! I can get the address if anyone needs it.

 

[Mackaydon]

Jaz:
Are may be referring to this:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Vx...&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result
Don........

 

[Jazdo]

Jaz:
Are may be referring to this:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Vx...&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result
Don........

Don thats it.. could be helpful to someone out there especially if you have a copy of loved ones discharge papers saying they recieved this and that,but you only have this to show for it! Always possible it was lost or misplaced,but worth checking into.

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

People on this site know all, or at least what you don't. Still scares me how fast questions are answered here.