Sterling Kentucky rifle bar pin - COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE

[Ocean7]

decided to hunt an open field on a lark that I figured had
been bull dozed but wanted to see if "it was anything or not".
Found a Kentucky rifle bar pin marked "sterling" on the back.
Not sure what the significance is of this pin? Anybody know?

Same hole found a plastic bag of bullets - no idea what
caliber but they mic. to 10mm. Found a Zippo lighter key chain,
shotgun shells, and usual junk. There was lots of hot rocks in
this area. Turns out it wasn't anything but "nothing ventured,
nothing gained" as they say!
HH!

update:
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE - possibly World War II.

pics deleted by O7

it just came to me why 9 bullets were buried with this badge. I think someone
buried this badge on purpose and the nine bullets either represent 9 buddies lost
in that war or nine people taken out by this person. I don't think they wanted to
be reminded anymore of the atrocities of war period. I am convinced this was
buried on purpose, and not lost. What do you think?

links on badges:
Combat Infantryman Badge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.rinfret.com/ww2.html

 

[Michigan Badger]

Really great finds.

Thanks for posting.

Badger

 

[Shamus]

Re: Sterling Kentucky rifle bar pin

Ditto on the CIB. Can't quite remember the regulation, but it's along the lines of Infantrymen lucky enough to serve at the two-way rifle range (the one where the targets are shooting back).

(1) A soldier must be an Army infantry or special forces officer (SSI 11 or 18) in the grade of colonel or below, or an Army enlisted soldier or warrant officer with an infantry or special forces MOS, who subsequent to 6 December 1941 has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger or special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat. Eligibility for special forces personnel (less the special forces medical sergeant) accrues from 20 December 1989. Retroactive awards for special forces personnel are not authorized.

(2) A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or special forces primary duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. The unit in question can be of any size smaller than brigade. For example, personnel possessing an infantry MOS in a rifle squad of a cavalry platoon in a cavalry troop would be eligible for award of the CIB. Battle or campaign participation credit alone is not sufficient; the unit must have been in active ground combat with the enemy during the period.

(3) Personnel with other than an infantry or special forces MOS are not eligible, regardless of the circumstances. The infantry or special forces SSI or MOS does not necessarily have to be the soldier's primary specialty, as long as the soldier has been properly trained in infantry or special forces tactics, possesses the appropriate skill code, and is serving in that specialty when engaged in active ground combat as described above. Commanders are not authorized to make any exceptions to this policy.

(4) Awards will not be made to general officers nor to members of headquarters companies of units larger in size than brigade.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Infantry_Badge

Interesting find. I'd love to know the story behind it and the .45 rounds. Lone survivor of a squad of 10 who was given the medal for surviving?

 

[Nana40]

Awwww.... What a great story. Congrats on those finds....

Nana

 

[romeo-1]

Nice finds...and a mystery to boot!

 

[Ocean7]

thanks all! Someone on another site posted perhaps I should rebury it.
I replied:
"Put them back? nah I'm gonna try to find the owner.

I forgot to mention in my post that my only "good" find, the CIB was found on my own property. Other than the original farm house from which this parcel was subdivided - this place had only one owner. I'm in the process of contacting previous owner. if he plays dumb - then it either isn't his or he doesn't want it back.

The other scenario is a small child takes dad's badge and goes over to the neighbor's to play. While here he buries the badge and bullets, and then forgets all about it. This may be unlikely but a possibility. I used to bury my matchbox cars and trucks when 4-5. A nephew used to take his mom's jewelry and bury it out in the back yard. So I know small children do stuff like that.

That's how I think this piece of very heavy silverware that I found - ended up buried on the front lawn of a grade school. "

anyways - HH!

pics deleted by O7

 

[trk5capt]

Sad To Say, But Alot Of CIB's Wind Up Getting Buried. trk5capt...

 

[The Seeker]

Very nice military items! Thanks for posting!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I have a question about the nine .45 cal. unfired slugs. Why would someone have these? Are they for re-loading? Do you think they were removed from the shell casings? Are they full copper jackets or hollow point?

 

[Ocean7]

well I think they were removed from the shell casings and were once in the standard issue .45 cal officer pistol that this person carried. Well at least 8 of the lead bullets could have been in the chamber of that pistol. Perhaps they were removed and dismantled from casings so they could never be used to do anyone any harm. Or they were acquired for re-loading and then discarded. Your guess is as good as mine.

Either way - it's very strange!

trk5capt - yes I know and agree. however my uncle was in pearl harbor on a ship sleeping when the attack 1st occurred. He got nasty flash burns but was able to jump off ship before
being blown to bits, and the old salty dog (navy) is still alive to tell the story. I don't think anyone who receives this badge had a walk in the park during their service.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes, strange interesting. Wouldnt there be crimp marks if they were removed from the shells?

 

[Ocean7]

well I'm certainly no expert on that score. One would think so but it takes special reloading equipment to reload these things. only an avid hunter or target shooter would go to those lengths. i plan to check with all surrounding neighbors for a vet.
with kids that may have played on this property etc. Long shot as i still think they were buried on purpose by owner or even possibly by an owner's widow. The more you think about it - the sadder some possibilities get.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I am no expert either, and I agree it would take special reloading equipment and an avid hunter, target shooter, or professional to make a special purpose or preferred bullet. The bottom pic of the slug does not appear to be a hollow point commonly used for hunting.

 

[Ocean7]

bigcypresshunter - I just took my 30X loop and looked at the one bullet i cleaned off.
It is not a hallow point and I can see marks like it was held by a set of pliers which indicates dismantling from it's shell.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

bigcypresshunter - I just took my 30X loop and looked at the one bullet i cleaned off.
It is not a hallow point and I can see marks like it was held by a set of pliers which indicates dismantling from it's shell.

cool. It was dismantled. another clue.

 

[Ocean7]

yeah i just hope that i don't stir up a bee hive by contacting the previous owner of this place if it was in fact his and he buried it on purpose.