WWI U.S. VICTORY MEDAL - MINE LAYING - NAMED GROUP OF 4

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See the scans. This is a medal group with four North Sea Northern Mine Barrage related medals. First is a WWI Victory Medal with clasp MINE LAYING. T were, according to expert Colonel Alexander J. Laslo's book "The Interallied Victory Medals of World War 1," just 3,294 of these bars authorized. The first 2,500 were this type, by the Fulford Company and with their characteristic copperish finish and thin silver back. T are two of the scarce "MINE SQUADRON ONE U.S. ATLANTIC FLEET" organization or society medals. The obverse bears a U.S. Navy mine laying symbol with an eagle atop a magnetic mine and crossed anchors with the legend "MINE SQUADRON ONE U.S. ATLANTIC FLEET." As you can see, the reverse design is a surfaced submarine caught in the explosion of a mine. The legend is "NORTHERN BARRAGE NORTH SEA 1918." One of these is silver and hallmarked "BBB" (standing for Bailey, Banks and Biddle Company of Philadelphia) on the bottom edge, while the other is a bronze strike. These are very good qulaity medals. Last is a very large bronze table medal from the U.S.S. Tanager. This is 4 7/8" diameter and a hefty 5 mm thick. At the center, in high relief, is the "NORTHERN BARRAGE NORTH SEA 1918" legend and design. The medal is named to "R.C. Littlefield." The U.S.S. Tanager was Minesweeper No. 5, commmissioned in June of 1918. In 1919, she assisted in sweeping the mines set during WWI in the North Sea. She was based in Pearl harbor from 1920 until 1941 and designated AM-5. Assigned ot the Asiatic Fleet in the 1941, she arrived at Manila on June 5th. After the Japanese attack on december 8, 1941, she served gallantly with the U.S. Navy's dwindling Philippine area forces until she was hit by shore fire on May 4, 1942, sinking off of Corregidor. The North Sea Mine Barrage was an important part of the Allied war effort during WWI. A minefield 230 miles long and 15 miles wide was placed between the Orkney Islands off northern Scotland to Norway. Over 70,000 mines were laid to block German submarines, effectively lessening morale in the German submarine service and navy. For the American crews of the mine layers, this was cold, lonely and somtimes dangerous duty. Captained by junior officers who frequently were rewarded with the Navy Cross, morale and camaraderie was high among those on Northern Barrage duty. The crews received the WWI Victory Medal with bar MINE LAYING. Those tasked with cleaning up the dangerous mines after the war received the WWI Victory Medal with bar MINE SWEEPING. The post war association of the sailors who had served in the North sea was quite active. I have also listed separately a gold medal from this organization. Generally XF or better condition. The Victory Medal has the original ribbon and brooch, with the ribbon showing a bit of wear at the top. The silver and bronze medals have the orignal blue ribbons, with the silver one lacking the brooch. The bronze table medal has a test cut right at 6:00 on the obverse edge (I can't believe that some idiot had to test this to see if it is gold). A very scarce U.S. Navy WWI lot that makes a super display. NOTE: I am very good about getting my orders out promptly, sometimes same day and almost always within 24 hours. However, lately the U.S. postal "service" has been very spotty. In the last several months, I have had first class insured items take over a month to California and two weeks in New York State. Most are delivered in a timely fashion, but a few are not. NEW RULES FOR 2007 - NO OVERSEAS SALES, CANADA AND U.S. ONLY. Sorry about that, but my airmail small packets are being stolen enroute to England and Belgium. ALSO: ALL ITEMS MUST HAVE AT LEAST MINIMUM ($50) INSURANCE. NO EXCEPTIONS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Buyer pays $10.00 for insured priority postage. I will combine postage on multiple orders. PAY PAL, check or money order, please. Thanks. George B. Harris, P.O. Box 1136, Alfred, NY 14802. read more

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