WORLD WAR TWO
World War Two Victory Medal	American Campaign Medal

 

KOREAN WAR
Korean Service Medal	United Nations Korean Medal	Korean War Medal new  --  complete details click here	National Defense Service Medal
The Korean Service Medal created by President Harry S Truman with Executive Order No. 10179, of 8 November 1950 to commemorate the service of members of the Armed Forces of the United States during operations in the Korean area for duty between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. United Nations Korean Medal. All members of the naval service of the United States who are eligible for the Korean Service Medal under existing regulations are automatically eligible for the United Nations Korean Medal.   The medal was initiated by U.N. General Assembly Resolution 483 (V) of 12 Dec. 1950. Presidential acceptance of this award for the U.S. Armed Forces was announced by the Department of Defense with its directive No. 110 23-3 of 27 Nov. 1951.   Originally entitled the "United Nations Service Medal" in the mid-1950s, a 1961 UN administrative change redesignated it the "United Nations Korean Medal." http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/korea.htm			The National Defense Service Medal was awarded to all persons in the Naval service who served on active duty at any time between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954 (and other later periods). http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/ndsm.htm

POST KOREAN WAR
	On 9 Feb 2004 DoD announced the passage of Public Law 107-314 which creates the Korean Defense Service Medal designed to recognize military service in the Republic of Korea and the surrounding waters after the armistice there which ended active conflict. The KDSM period of eligibility is July 28, 1954, to a future date to be determined by the secretary of defense. Details: http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20040209-0334.html Pictures and physical descrption: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2004/KDSM.pdf [This medal seems to be mainly aimed toward ground personnel in Korea, although it specifically mentions waters within 12 nautical miles.  The time in theater requirements (30 days) make it seem unlikely that many diesel boat sailors will qualify for this medal, but those who made multiple trips on various ships, or possibly nuc boat ops might be eligible.]
Korean Defense Service Medal

 

WESPAC's 1954-55 & 1956-57
	Sabalo's activities during the two deployments of Nov 54- May 55 and Nov 56-May 57 resulted in eligibility for this medal. [Info from ship's history dated 6 Jan 1958, and report of Larry Douglas.]
China Service Medal

 

VIET NAM WAR
Natrional Defense Service Medal	Viet Nam Service Medal	Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
All military personnel on active duty between 01 Jan. 1961 and 14 Aug. 1974 being the criteria for the award, both dates inclusive. This amended period of eligibility was established by Executive Order 11265 of 11 January 1966.	The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was issued for VietNam Service from 1 Jul1958-3 Jul 1965.  On 8 July 1965, by Executive Order 11231 from President Johnson,  the Viet Nam Service Medal was established for award to all branches for VietNam service.  DoD has since set  the period between 3 July 1965 and 28 March 1973 as criteria. These are the periods for which Sabalo is recorded for Viet Nam Combat Zone participation. Medal From To AFEM 2 Sep 64 3 Oct 64 15 Jan 65 4 Feb 65 9 Feb 65 27 Feb 65 VNSM 16 Sep 65 11 Oct 65 18 Sep 67 1 Oct 67 22 Oct 67 1 Nov 67 7 Dec 67 20 Dec 67 1 Feb 69 20 Feb 69 14 Mar 69 --- 25 Mar 69 26 Mar 69 9 Apr 69 17 Apr 69 21 Jul 70 8 Aug 70 This listing of Viet Nam service periods is part of OpNav Notice 1650,  entitiled, "MASTER LIST OF UNIT AWARDS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS" (This document exceeds 1,000 pages, but can be viewed by internet searching.) Bronze stars for the V.N.S.M. are awarded according to participation in the campaign periods found at: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/stream/faq45-25.htm Only one bronze star is authorized for each period regardless of the number of days or trips to the combat zone. [There was a period of time in 65-66 where the wearing of one or the other medals might have been optional, or specific directives might have been confusing, but I believe the wearing and/or entitlement is now revised according to the specific periods of service above. If you are eligible due to an overlapping period of service at some other duty station, then the V.N.S.M. takes precedence. Otherwise, entitlement for the A.E.F.M. is only applicable if you meet one of the other duty periods/locations that are shown at: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/stream/faq45-24.htm - J.Owens]

UNOFFICIAL MEDALS
Cold War Medal	Honorable Service Medal
Congress limited its official recognition to the Cold War Recognition Certificate. This medal perfectly compliments the Cold War Certificate.  Note, it does not say “commemorative” anywhere on the medal.  It has been adopted as an official medal of the Military Order of Foreign Wars. It offers a unique form of recognition specifically for citizen-soldiers and Federal civilian employees who served during the cold war between the inclusive dates of  September 2, 1945   and  December 26, 1991  .  The Cold War Medal was designed by Nadine Russell, the Chief of Creative Heraldry at the Army's   Institute   of  Heraldry    and the designer of many campaign and service medals, including the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal. On the medal’s obverse side, the allegorical figure of Freedom sits upon a vantage point over-looking a landscape suggestive of the Fulda Gap, the anticipated point of attack by Communist forces in Europe during the Cold War. The Fulda Gap thus represents all territory subject to the threat of invasion or war. The sitting figure also alludes to a long-term and watchful military presence. She holds a sheathed Roman sword in her hand, point down. The sword represents military strength, and its being sheathed is symbolic of defensive military action. Her foot rests on a book, representing both history and law. To her right is an American bald eagle grasping a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. The eagle, symbolic of the United States , represents the principles of freedom. The arrows stand for the willingness to use force in support of freedom, and the olive branch alludes to the goal of peace. Behind the figure of Freedom, and on the horizon of the landscape in front of her, a sun rising in the east symbolizes the birth of a new era of peace and stability arising from the end of the Cold War. Superimposed over the geographic scene, and below the rising sun, is the inscription, “Promoting Peace and Stability”, which is taken from the wording on the Congressional certificate and which identifies the efforts recognized by the medal. In the center of the medal on the reverse side, the inscription, “IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR SERVICE”, is enclosed within a stylized wreath of laurel, which represents honor. The wreath is tied at its base by a ribbon, the ends of which rise above a shield taken from the coat of arms of the United States . The dates “ 2 September 1945 - 26 December 1991 ”, which are taken from the Congressional certificate, appear beneath the inscription.    The Cold War medal celebrates this epoch, which will ultimately be regarded as one of the great events of the Twentieth Century.  Images, further details including purchase opportunity at: http://www.kdvamerica.org/QMX.html#mfk	Since World War II the Armed Forces have been involved in numerous military operations, beginning with the Korean War and extending up the war against   Iraq   . Although a variety of campaign and service medals have been authorized for these wars and operations, the Defense Department has not established an honorable service emblem for discharged veterans. The Honorable Service Medal was created to fill this void. This medal is not issued or authorized by the Federal Government, nor can it be worn on the active duty uniform. However, it has been adopted by the Military Order of Foreign Wars and is offered as a purely civilian device to commemorate honorable military service. Its central motif is the famous "ruptured duck," adapted from the Honorable Service lapel pin used during the interim period between the First World War and following the Second World War. The cross represents the military services: the Army, Navy (including the Coast Guard), the Marine Corps and the Air Force. The laurel wreath represents honor and achievement. The colors of the ribbon are suggested by the American Defense Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. The blue, white and red are the national colors, and the gold represents the golden opportunity of American youth to serve the National Colors. Images, further details, including purchase opportunity at: http://www.kdvamerica.org/QMX.html#mfks
	Republic of Korea Service Medal In August of 1974 the Director of the Personnel Bureau, South Korean Ministry of Defense, offered a medal to the United States . It was to be known as the REPUBLIC OF KOREA SERVICE MEDAL and, interestingly, the offer came just as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Korea was terminated (the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was authorized for service in Korea from October 1, 1966 to June 30, 1974). The Commander, U.S. Forces Korea, recommended acceptance of the medal.   This recommendation was forwarded to the Joint Chiefs and they non-concurred.  As a result, in June of 1976, the Secretary of Defense disapproved the recommendation to accept the Republic of Korea Service Medal "because normal military duty in Korea under present circumstances does not warrant reception of such a medal." Acceptance of the medal by either individuals or groups was therefore prohibited.  The Korea Defense Veterans of America were told by the SECDEF’S office that regulations in place prohibit the U.S. from accepting this award on two grounds:  1. the award is not also given to R.O.K. military personnel, and 2. foreign awards are only accepted under combat conditions. A small number of these medals had already been awarded to United States military personnel. It is not known how many of these medals were awarded, but when the recipients attempted to have them posted to their military records the medals were impounded and no record of the award was entered into the service records. This medal is neither issued nor authorized at this time by the U.S. Defense Department or the R.O.K., nor can it be worn on the active duty uniform. Images, further details including purchase opportunity at: http://www.kdvamerica.org/Hill3.html

SABALO SHIP'S PATCHES Click these images for a larger view
FROM THE EARLY FIFTIES	The image which can be seen by clicking on the thumbnail to the left was submitted by Richard Lamy Discussions among crew members of the period '51-'52 at the Reno 2003 reunion explain that the patch was created during a visit to Japan during that cruise. Another image was discovered online on 22 Feb 2002 in conjunction with an offering for sale of an original, antique Sabalo jacket patch of this variety at the following web site: http://www.flyingtigerantiques.com/item_templates/1014_005.html [An excellent graphic can be viewed.  The price is pretty high at $195.00.]
1952	Mystery plaque - Identified [Jun 2005] - Bernard Ouellet relates that this plaque is a one of a kind which was created by him using a custom patch he had made in Yokosuka during the Korean War Cruise (1953).  When visiting the Sub Museum in Pearl Harbor some time ago, he noticed that there was no plaque with the ship's emblem in their collection.  Upon return to his home, he mounted the patch and sent it to the museum.  The image was found on the USSVWWII web site. [Note: The wolf's head shows amazing likeness to that used on a patch for the USS Seawolf SS-197 that was lost in WWII.]
1955-1965	Howard Venezia reports  he did the original drawings of this patch in 1955.  "These really caught hell in translation by the patch makers in Yokosuka & Hong Kong...where they became almost unrecognizable when sewn." [rpt recd  Feb 2005] Later crew members have recollection of copies being still available on board as late as perhaps 1965. It measures 6.25 inches round. In it stands a fish or dolphin. In his clenched teeth is a cigar. On his chest in red it reads S.S.302. On his head is a sailor cap. In his right hand he holds a club with a knife through it, bloody. In his left he grasps a red and black torpedo. On his right "fin" foot he has a blue mine with red spikes all over it. Across the top reads U.S.S. Sabalo.
CRUISE PATCH 1955	"Akadama Musketeers" Image submitted by Orval Johnston
ca 1965-71	Three versions of this patch have been encountered. 1. The one to the left is of poor quality and seemingly made by hand although done on some type of machine. Note the variation in width of the red and white stripes for instance. [click on thumbnail for larger view] 2. A similar version sewn on a jacket was sold on Ebay in May05. 3. The nicest variation is shown on the home page.  These had a nice, even design and appearance, but are no longer available. 4. Another variation is the one being currently offered by B.C. Patch. Note that these do not have the ship's hull number included.  Links to patch vendors can be found on the links page.

SQUADRON PATCHES click for larger image

Dec 1961or earlier- _____ Sabalo was assigned to SubRon One, Division 12 in Dec 1961 [info from ship's pamphlet mid 60's]  currently available from BC Patch. (see links page)

____   -1966 - At the time Sabalo left Pearl Harbor she was assigned to SubRon Seven.  The specific date when she was initially assigned has not been determined.  This patch is currently available from Patchmart. (see links page)

1966-1971 - After relocating to its home port of San Diego in 1966 Sabalo was assigned to Squadron Five.  This patch is about 5 inches in diameter.  It is currently available from BC Patch. (see links page)

UNOFFICIAL JACKET PATCHES FROM THE VIET NAM ERA

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Sabalo Shoulder Strip

Fleet Efficiency "E" E Sabalo was awarded this distinction in 1967 or 68, and also reportedly for an earlier period in about '65 or '66.  Can someone elaborate on the qualifications and achievements necessary, and the length of time for which the award is/was granted ?   It was also reported in the Patrol newspaper that Sabalo carried the 'E' in 1970 also.

UNOFFICIAL DOLPHINS

Ribbon graphics:
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/allhands/ah0197/pg24-25.html

Korean Medals
Read about the "Korean War Medal" newly authorized in 1996 for service 1950-53.
http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/korea.htm

Index to Medals of the Navy
Criteria for award is shown on this site
http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/index.html

Please report any errors, comments or suggestions to him: owensjepix.net