Military Medals: Framing Doubles

[matt medium]

A customer came in yesterday to get his fathers ww2 medals reframed. He'll be in tomorrow and i'll show him whatever designs that i've read from a dry tea cup to be his forever. However, of the medals he brought in, 3 of the 5 are doubles and only one (the purple heart) has an oak leaf on it.

My understanding was that each oak leaf cluster signifies an additional award. is it possible that the soldier never procurred additional leaf clusters for his awards? Regardless, would you frame the 2 Bronze stars, 2 Purple Hearts, and 2 Good Conduct Medals together with the other individual medals or is this something where I should frame one of each and advise him to put the 3 duplicates in a safe and purchase two additional clusters?

I have a feeling that a web search of the national archives will be in his future.

I'll talk to him further tomorrow. I'm just preparing for any eventuality.

Thanks guys,
Matt

 

[rhop]

You should frame only one of each medal. The second award, or more, is designated by either a star, oak leaf cluster, hour glass and so on. I know the second award of the good conduct medal is designated by a rope with one knot in it. I think the bronze star has a star for the second award. Oak leaf clusters are normaly used for service awards.

You should talk to a army recuiter to get the appropriate devise for each medal. Have the customer look at his fathers DD214 to find out what awards he is entitled too.

If you are going to do this job. Do it in accordance with military regulations.