Hey out there Question, would you say that being in a convoy and being bombed twice (our ship wasn't hit) and being in five convoys that lost ships that were torpedoed by submarines would qualify one as having been combat?
Re: Combat
Posted by Fran Kent on October 3, 2009, 2:00 pm, in reply to "Combat"
Bob: There was combat and then there was the combat recognized by a little star on the appropriate theater ribbon. These stars were for the most part restricted to large-scale engagements, e.g., amphibious operations and battles like Midway, Coral Sea, etc. Stars were awarded, however, in some instances for attacks on specific convoys, notably those en route to Murmansk and an epic battle in the North Atlantic that involved two east-bound convoys and several wolf packs. The Merchant Marine web site lists the merchant ships that qualified for battle stars.
Re: Combat
Posted by Al Burnham on October 6, 2009, 11:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Combat"
Bob, I would say you have been in combat many times and qualify for the Combat Action Ribbon. (No medal was issued for this). The C.A.R. came about because so many service personal were engaged in combat. And no battle stars or medals were awarded for the engagement with the enemy. Key up Combat Action Ribbon on the internet and you will get a whole history on it and who qualifies. The C.A.R. is a personal decoration award for being in combat and does not have to be proceeded with engagement stars or other medals as noted in all the criteria that deals with this as a guidance. You will need proof of the combat engagement. Your gunnery officer's report of the trip or trips will have this in it. You will also need your honorable seperation/discharge papers. You can find where to mail this on this web site. As a further note: Personal aboard a ship are eligible when the safety of the ship and crew were endangered by enemy attack. This also meets the criteria of being in a convoy under attack. This is all in the C.A.R. guidance rules. I went through this with the Veterans Award Coordinator and I was awarded the C.A.R. with a letter. Hope this is some help. Al
Re: Combat
Posted by Roy Brown on October 21, 2009, 9:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Combat"
Sorry I've not been communicating lately. (More health issues but I am better and hopefully can resume my chatter! In regards to the Combat Action Ribbon: It indicates that those who recaive it have been in sea and/or land combat. It is issued to Sailors AND Marines for such actions. I received the CAR in the year 2000 from the Chief of Naval Operations. The CAR is, I believe, a relatively new award and Congress made the CAR award retroative to WWII Sailors and Marines several years ago. I was made aware of it and submitted my "paperwork"along with my discharge, etc.,and Lo and Behold not long after I received by mail a very nice letter and a Combat Action Ribbon. If anyone has questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer. This award was for Combat with Convoy UGS-40 on 11 May 1944 off North Africa. It was believed to be the most severe attack by enemy aircraft against a single Merchant ship convoy in WWII. Forthermore we shot down more enemy aircraft in a single battle than any other Merchant convoy during the war. Samuel Morison, noted Naval historian, wrote in Volume 10, US Naval Operations in WWII, about this battle. I would be happy to make copies of those pages of that history for anyone them if you Email me. Incidentally, 11 May 1944 was the evening before my 18th bitrhday! Herr Goering certainly gave me a great birthday party! God Bless all. Roy Brown
Re: Combat
Posted by Melinda on October 11, 2009, 10:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Combat"
I'll weigh in as the "civilian" here. To me is absolutely and undeniably was combat.
I'm glad Mr. Burnham was able to give such good information.
Re: Combat....let me try agaiin
Posted by Melinda on October 11, 2009, 10:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Combat"
Also a thank you to Fran for his answer, too! Sorry, I didn't mean to leave you out in my first reply.