Original Items: Only One Lot Available. This is an exceptional collection of medals that once belonged to 1st Lt. Richard Gibney, a distinguished member of the 752nd Squadron, 458th Bomb Group, 8th AF. This unique collection includes a total of nine medals, each with its own intricate design and fascinating history. Among them is a Purple Heart, expertly engraved with Lt. Gibney's name, and a rare Vietnam Distinguished Service Order 2nd Class, a testament to his exceptional bravery. All of the medals are in magnificent condition, and they would undoubtedly make a stunning display together, showcasing Lt. Gibney's remarkable achievements and contributions to his country.

Colonel Gibney was a brave and accomplished war veteran who served his country with distinction in three different wars - World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During World War II, he demonstrated his exceptional skills as both a pilot and co-pilot on 12 missions and was awarded a Purple Heart in recognition of his bravery and wounds received. The Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Bronze Star are all late-war slot brooch types, which are highly esteemed military honors reserved for those who have shown exceptional bravery and valor in the line of duty. After many years of faithful service, Colonel Gibney retired and was most likely awarded the Legion of Merit, a prestigious honor recognizing his outstanding contributions to the military.

The Items In This Lot: 
-  Purple Heart Medal (only award engraved): This is a lovely name engraved Purple Heart Medal. The medal is engraved on the back with standard script lettering, still clear and able to be read properly. The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple cloth, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York.

- Legion of Merit Legionnaire Degree: The Legion of Merit is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments.

The Legionnaire Degree of the Legion of Merit Medal and the Legion of Merit Medal issued to U.S. personnel is the same as the degree of Officer, except the suspension ribbon does not have the medal replica.

- Bronze Star (Unmarked): The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.

When the medal is awarded by the Army, Air Force, or Space Force for acts of valor in combat, the "V" device is authorized for wear on the medal. When the medal is awarded by the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard for acts of valor or meritorious service in combat, the Combat "V" is authorized for wear on the medal.

- Distinguished Flying Cross: The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. The medal was established on July 2, 1926, and is currently awarded to any persons who, after April 6, 1917, distinguish themselves by single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Both heroism and extraordinary achievement are entirely distinctive, involving operations that are not routine. The medal may be awarded to friendly foreign military members in ranks equivalent to U.S. Pay Grade of O-6 and below, in actual combat in support operations.

- Air Medal: The Air Medal (AM) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was created in 1942 and is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

- Air Force Commendation Medal: The Department of the Air Force began issuing its own Air Force Commendation Medal in 1958 with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters. Prior to this time, USAF recipients received the Army Commendation Medal. It was not until 1996 that the "V" device was authorized on the Air Force Commendation Medal; prior to 1996, there was not a valor distinction in effect for the Air Force Commendation Medal. On January 7, 2016, the "C" device and "R" device was authorized on the Air Force Commendation Medal as well. For USAF enlisted personnel, the Air Force Commendation Medal is worth three points under the Air Force enlisted promotion system.

- WWII Victory Medal: The World War II Victory Medal was established by an Act of Congress on 6 July 1945 (Public Law 135, 79th Congress) and promulgated by Section V, War Department Bulletin 12, 1945. The medal was designed by Thomas H. Jones and approved by the Secretary of War on 5 February 1946. Consequently, it did not transition from a ribbon to a full medal until after World War II had ended. The World War II Victory Medal was first issued as a service ribbon, referred to as the "Victory Ribbon."

- American Campaign Medal: The American Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on November 6, 1942, by Executive Order 9265 issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended to recognize those military members who had performed military service in the American Theater of Operations during World War II. A similar medal, known as the American Defense Service Medal was awarded for active duty service before the United States' entry into World War II.

- Distinguished Service Order (Vietnam): The Army Distinguished Service Order (Vietnamese: Lục-Quân Huân-Chương), Air Force Distinguished Service Order (Vietnamese: Không-Lực Huân-Chương), and Navy Distinguished Service Order (Vietnamese: Hải-Quân Huân-Chương) was a military decoration of South Vietnam which was awarded throughout the years of the Vietnam War. The decoration was bestowed for meritorious or heroic deeds related to wartime operations and was awarded for both combat and non-combat service.

All items are in wonderful condition and come more than ready for further research and display.