Could anyone discribe to me what that (colors) ribbons on his uniform? Did the Purple Heart ribbon a (star-shaped) pin on it?

The colored ribbons on the wearers left breast side of a dress uniform are US Military Decorations and Service Ribbons. When he came home he had a rack of 6 ribbons. 1 of those ribbons I can guarantee was the Vietnam Service Ribbon which is green, yellow and gold. It looks like he also had a Meritorius Service Ribbon and possibly a Combat Action Ribbon but its hard to tell from the picture I have. If you have a closeup of his uniform I can tell you exactly what they are.

The purple heart is also a ribbon it is just an all purple one with white stripes on the edges, and you don't actually wear the medal on your dress uniform except for special occasions such as when it is presented to you...

I think what you are seeing is the large silver pin on star below his rack of ribbons which is just a marksmanship badge as everyone who completes training earns a marksmanship badge. His badge is a marine rifle "Sharpshooter" badge.

You have to qualify on your rifle in the Army and Marines a couple times per year and you earn a badge depending on how many targets you hit. For Marines they have 50 rounds and it is out of 250 points (1-5 points per shot for 50 rounds). 190 is the minimal qualifying score for "Marksman", 210 is "Sharpshooter", and 220 and above is "Expert". Hope this answers some of your questions!

Vietnam Service Ribbon (http://armyawards.com/images/awards/vsm.jpg)

US Marine Corps Sharpshooter Badge (http://1stbattalion3rdmarines.com/00-marine-images/slides-shows-folder/marksmanship-clear/r-ss.gif)

Thank you.

What about the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal Ribbon or would you wear that only after you have finished your term of service?

Where did he get the fancy uniform in the first place? Wasn't he in basically rags? I highly doubt he was lugging it around with him...

I thought it was cool when he met his old squad. He should have invited them to come home with him!

Beth was really mean to her dad. Helen was right to invite him over.

What did Meg mean when she asked JJ, "Is it weird?"

Wow, I'm sure saying "invite" alot.

cutiejulie- when jj met his squad im pretty sure he was dreaming or hallucinating..cuz then u see him wake up wit a start during the night.

Originally posted by cutejulie63
Where did he get the fancy uniform in the first place? Wasn't he in basically rags? I highly doubt he was lugging it around with him...
In the Army we have BDU's or battle dress uniforms for the field (camo's) and we also have a "Class A" uniform which is our dress uniform (known as army greens.) The Marines have the same thing, that is the Marine dress uniform he is wearing. You are authorized to wear the dress uniform when travelling to or returning from authorized military installations or at your commanders descretion. When you return from deployment you report back to the station (Fort) where you were deployed then travel home so thats why he was changed into his dress uniform...

Originally posted by stepperry
What about the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal Ribbon or would you wear that only after you have finished your term of service?
That (like most decorations) are issued individually to soldiers at the discretion of their commanders or fellow NCO's. If you have performed something that warrants an award, you are recommended for that award and then an officer approves of it. There isn't any guarantee you will recieve a certain ribbon except for the case of service/campaign ribbons like the vietnam service ribbon which you recieve for serving in a theatre of combat. Today we are getting Global War on Terrorism Ribbons (GWOT) for serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

this is a great series I have been watching it when I can and I can't wait till the DVD's come out! I highly recommend the Band of Brothers series if you haven't checked that out which follows the parachute infantry regiment throughout their campaign in europe throughout WWII. cheers~

SGT_Jules - are you in the army or something?

roger that, 79th QM CO under the 88th RRC, the "Blue Devils"... been on the boards for a while just never posted! :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Be thankful that most of us will be spending it here at home with a big home cooked meal. I know my best buddy and my roomate from school will be probly eating an MRE in his tower over in Afghanistan for Thanksgiving, he has 8 more months left in his deployment... i've seen this war do horrible things to my friends, not just to them over there but back home here with the people they love. Take care~

...btw "Band of Brothers" is now showing on the history channel at 10pm each night, they are going right through the series one episode per night, don't miss it!

oh, and whats the word on american dreams now? is there another season in the making or is it done for?

One of them, and let me know if I'm wrong, looked like a Bronze Star Ribbon. I paused the tape when it came in closer on his uniform.

So, if that's one of them, then we know for sure what 3 (or 4?) ribbons are. I hope that Will or someone asks him, so that we can know for sure.

Thanks, SGT_Jules, for the info. :)