Help/Question on WW2 Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal

Hello, I have found a "box" of great stuff in the attic. 40 letters from All his training camps, European locations, patched, Iron Cross, Nazi Officer Belt buckle, DIs, Patches, tie tacks and Collar Brass, ect. Will take pix with a good camera later.
My Step-Grandfather was a WW2 Vet, 630th Tank Destroyer, Co. C. He received 5 bronze campaign stars, all ETO. He has two ribbon bars; both have a Good Conduct Ribbon, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon. One with the 5 bronze stars. Also another newer variant with one Silver Star. (to replace the 5 bronze I see)

Anyway, I have his 1950 Separation Report that details his training, service dates, ect. 1942-1945, with Foreign Service of July 44 to Aug 45.

His only decorations on this report is the GCM and the EAME as noted above. Should he also have been elgible for the WW2 Victory Medal? also what about the Army of Occupation Medal with German Bar, he was stationed there from May- August 45?. Is there any chance that he needed to apply for these after the fact and just did not know about them? Could I apply for him, if allowed, to be retro-added? he died 1955?

Now I see alot of Full size medals floating around, he does not have them. Was he given the medals, and lost them, or just ribbons? Or did Vets go and buy the ones they are entitled to wear by themselves?

Thanks, Tom

 

Yes, most full size medals were not struck until after the war. Ribbons were often presented especially if they were for campaign or service medals. The Occupation and Victory Medals were not issued until 1946. It simply would not due to produce a victory medal when victory was still in doubt. You should be ablt to contact NARA with a copy of his service and separation papers and recieve a duplicate set that would include the Victory and Occupation medals w/ Ribbons as well as replacements for the ribbons he has already been presented with their corresponding full size medals.

Brad

 

Thank you Gents, that is very helpful information, I have applied for my Dad's medals that were listed on his Sep Report as well, and according to NARA I am in Queue to about Sept 13th, 2010, NARA estimates.
Glad to know that he can be awarded some more medals.

I have another detailed question for the crew here. I am trying to replace, or add to accurate spec, Grandpa's medals, collar discs and qual badges. On his Form 53-55, the following appeared:

1) M1 Rifle sharpshooter -Feb 44
2) 45 Cal Submachine gun - Aug 43
3) 30 Cal Machine Gun Exp - Jun 42
4) M03 Thompson Submachine Gun Ex Feb 44
5) Carbine Exp-Feb 44

I'd like to put together a Sharpshooter Badge with Qualification Bars hanging underneath, but not sure exactly how to make it period correct. The sharpshooter badge with rifle underneath it seems pretty easy to find, then I have to hunt for the add-ons.

So my question is, what are the correct Qual bars that should go on the Sharpshooter Badge? and does the "Ex and Exp" on 3,4,&5 mean anything, like an Expert qual Bar??
According to this web site:
.Second World War Era Army Specialty Badges. I have several options.

Carbine
Machine Gun
Machine Rifle
Rifle
Small Bore MG
Submachine Gun

so do i have it correct, to match up, as shown?

1) M1 Rifle sharpshooter -Feb 44 (RIFLE)
2) 45 Cal Submachine gun - Aug 43 (SUB MACHINE GUN)
3) 30 Cal Machine Gun Exp - Jun 42 (SMALL BORE MG)
4) M03 Thompson Submachine Gun Ex Feb 44 (?? same as #2?)
5) Carbine Exp-Feb 44 (CARBINE)

 

You should have a "Sharpshooter" Badge with:
"Rifle"
An "Expert badge" with:
"Machine Gun" , "Sub Machine Gun" & "Carbine"

As far as the repeat you can only wear one award for the weapon and the most recent qualification date is the one you go by.

 

Excellent, thank you very much for the advice, I would never have figured that out. Thank you again!