Maj Nelson's service ribbons - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AzCoronaDog · 07-09-2005, 02:23 PM

I'm putting together a Maj. Nelson costume, and being a perfectionist, I'd like to get the ribbons correct. I've only been able to find one picture that shows the ribbons with any clarity, but it's black and white and not very high resolution.

Does anyone know what ribbons he wore? Or perhaps have a good color picture that clearly shows them?

My dad retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Col., and we have a great military surplus store in town, so I should be able to come up with them. I'm also curious to see if the prop people used ribbons he would have been likely to earn, or just threw five together. (It looks like there may be cluster pins on one.)

Thanks for any help!

Commander Benson · 08-23-2005, 06:34 AM

Az,

I don't check Sitcoms on Line very often, so I did not see your request until this morning. I hope this isn't too late to help. The good news is I can answer your questions.

Fortunately, the book Dreaming of Jeannie , by Steve Cox (St. Martin's Press, 2000) has excellent close-ups of Hagman, Daily, and Rourke in their service dress uniforms and provided me with a clear look at their decorations.

I was pleased to see that, not only was Major Nelson wearing proper Air Force ribbons, but they were worn in the proper order of precedence (so obviously, someone on the show was paying attention to detail).

Here is how MAJ Nelson's ribbons break down:

The top row of two (reading it from left to right as you would look at them standing in front of Nelson):

Airman's Medal--Air Force Commendation Medal

The bottom row of three, again from your left to right:

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award--Korean Service Medal--Air Force Longevity Award (with two Oak Leaf Clusters)

Incidentally, a look at Doctor Bellows' ribbons is quite revealing. Among his many decorations, he definitely wears the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Silver Star (all three reveal that he has been in combat). His innermost ribbon on the top row--which would be his highest decoration earned--is partially obscured by his blouse lapel. But from what I can make out, it appears to be the Air Force Cross--the second-highest decoration that can be awarded to U.S. military personnel; only the Medal of Honor is higher.

Which means that, for all of his befuddlement, Dr. Bellows served his country well and was worthy of respect.

As a Navy commander with my retirement squarely in my sights, I congratulate your father on his long and faithful service. Navy sends Air Force its respects!

Commander Benson

07-09-2005, 02:23 PM	#1
AzCoronaDog Member First Time Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2005 Location: Phx. AZ Posts: 1	Maj Nelson's service ribbons I'm putting together a Maj. Nelson costume, and being a perfectionist, I'd like to get the ribbons correct. I've only been able to find one picture that shows the ribbons with any clarity, but it's black and white and not very high resolution. Does anyone know what ribbons he wore? Or perhaps have a good color picture that clearly shows them? My dad retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Col., and we have a great military surplus store in town, so I should be able to come up with them. I'm also curious to see if the prop people used ribbons he would have been likely to earn, or just threw five together. (It looks like there may be cluster pins on one.) Thanks for any help!

08-23-2005, 06:34 AM	#2
Commander Benson Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 15, 2002 Posts: 55	MAJ Nelson's Decorations Az, I don't check Sitcoms on Line very often, so I did not see your request until this morning. I hope this isn't too late to help. The good news is I can answer your questions. Fortunately, the book Dreaming of Jeannie , by Steve Cox (St. Martin's Press, 2000) has excellent close-ups of Hagman, Daily, and Rourke in their service dress uniforms and provided me with a clear look at their decorations. I was pleased to see that, not only was Major Nelson wearing proper Air Force ribbons, but they were worn in the proper order of precedence (so obviously, someone on the show was paying attention to detail). Here is how MAJ Nelson's ribbons break down: The top row of two (reading it from left to right as you would look at them standing in front of Nelson): Airman's Medal--Air Force Commendation Medal The bottom row of three, again from your left to right: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award--Korean Service Medal--Air Force Longevity Award (with two Oak Leaf Clusters) Incidentally, a look at Doctor Bellows' ribbons is quite revealing. Among his many decorations, he definitely wears the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Silver Star (all three reveal that he has been in combat). His innermost ribbon on the top row--which would be his highest decoration earned--is partially obscured by his blouse lapel. But from what I can make out, it appears to be the Air Force Cross--the second-highest decoration that can be awarded to U.S. military personnel; only the Medal of Honor is higher. Which means that, for all of his befuddlement, Dr. Bellows served his country well and was worthy of respect. As a Navy commander with my retirement squarely in my sights, I congratulate your father on his long and faithful service. Navy sends Air Force its respects! Commander Benson
	__________________ "Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, 'I served in the United States Navy.' " -- President John F. Kennedy Last edited by Commander Benson; 08-23-2005 at 06:49 AM.