Black and white group photo of (L to R): Harold Lowe, Doug Lowe, Gordon Lowe, and Raymond Leslie. Pictured in front of Lowe's Quick Quick Service Coal Co., 1005-11 Hutchins St.
Gordon and Harold Lowe owned the Quick Service Coal Company located and 10th and Hutchins Street. This article from the Portsmouth Times thanks the friends and customers for their patronage and cooperation with their father while they were away in the service during World War II.
The black with white stripes and the letter "T" badges/uniform patches were used to show the rank on their uniforms. T with 3 stripes indicates a WWII Technician Grade 3. These technicians were the same rank and pay as a staff sergeant, but did not have the same authority to issue orders.
The gold pin with 3 stripes was a pin that indicated a grade 3 staff sergeant that went along with the grade 3 technician badge.
The pin to the left with is a marksmanship badge and was earned by soldiers who qualified with a rifle during training. There were 3 levels of qualifications: expert, sharpshooter, or marksman. Marksman was the lowest attainable qualification to be earned out of the 3.
Silk rainbow ribbon. Gold medal with relief of Goddess Nike "Winged Victory" with sword and shield depicted on one side. On the other side relief of a shield and a fascine depicted; embossed text "The Great War for Civilization- France. Italy. Serbia. Japan. Montenegro. Russia. Greece. Great Britain. Belgium. Brazil. Portugal. Romania. China. with U.S. embossed on shield." The World War I Victory Medal is a service medal of the United States military that was created in 1919 and presented to members of US military services who served in World War I from April 6, 1917-November 11, 1918 with either of these two expeditions: American Expeditionary Forces in European Russia, between November 12, 1918 and August 5, 1919 or American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia, between November 23, 1918 and April 1, 1920. The Victory Star Button was part of this service medal set. Lapel buttons were bronze and designed to be worn on civilian clothes. Personnel who were wounded in action received silver buttons.
4 pins that go along with the WWII Medals. From left to right: WWII Good Conduct Pin, WWII European African Middle Eastern Campaign Pin, WWII American Campaign Pin. The last one is unknown.
From left to right: Gold staff sergeant grade 3 pin was used to show the ranking of the staff sergeants. A lot of times this pin was presented with the grade 3 technician patches as they were paid and ranked the same, but staff sergeants had more authority.
The middle pin is brass and was the pin given to people joining the Army during WWII.
The far right pin is brass with U.S. embossed lettering. This pin was given to anyone who served during WWII.
From left to right: Diamond/arrowhead shaped badge with red, white, and blue stripes with black material around it. This badge was used by the Twelfth Army Group as a shoulder sleeve insignia issued during World War II. The design, approved July 29, 1944, was used to show force in the red, white, and blue national colors of the United States. This unit was directly under the control of Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force, beginning September 1, 1944. It fought its way across Europe, encircling the German Army in the Ruhr Valley in April 1945. It was the largest force ever assembled by the US military. Germany surrendered May 7 and the Group was inactivated on July 31, 1945.
The red with white "A" in the middle with white design badge is unknown to what it means. My guess it was used to show when someone was in the US Army on their uniform.
Driver-W pin was approved in 1942 and was awarded to soldiers who completed training and met standards which qualified them to operate and repair military automotive machinery and wheeled vehicles.
This is a diploma from Portsmouth High School for Harold Douglas Lowe. The date on the diploma is June 2, 1966. It was signed by Superintendent, Principal, President, Board of Education, and Clerk, Board of Education.
This is a diploma from Clay High School for Lucinda L. Long. Clay High School is located in Scioto County, Ohio. The date on the diploma is May 21, 1967. It was signed by President, County Board of Education, County Superintendent, President, Board of Education, Clerk, Board of Education, and Executive Head.
Light blue silk ribbon with red, white, and blue vertical center stripes and white, black, and red vertical stripes. Gold medal with a Navy cruiser shown beneath a B-24 airplane flying overhead and sinking an enemy submarine in the foreground; in the background, there is a group of buildings. Above this scene are the words AMERICAN CAMPAIGN on one side. On the other side an American bald eagle on a rock. To the eagle's left, the dates 1941-1945; to the eagle's right, the words United States of America. The American Campaign Medal was established by Executive Order 9265 on November 6, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was awarded to any member of the United States armed services with 30 consecutive days of service in the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. Possibly Gordon or Harold Lowe's.
Silk ribbon, center red stripe with rainbow stripes (adopted from the World War I Victory Medal). Gold medal with one side showing the relief of Liberty figure with a broken sword and embossed text "World War II"; On the other side embossed text "United States of America 1941-1945, Freedom from fear and want, Freedom of speach and religion." This medal was issued to any member of the US Armed Services who served in Active Duty or Reservist between December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946. Possibly Gordon or Harold Lowe's.
