Lt. General Stanley H. Ford’s Medal Grouping, Commission & More

Lt. General Stanley H. Ford’s Medal Grouping, Commission & More.  This grouping consists of all the medals seen when this group was posted on the forum in March of 2013.  I have been told that there are a number of items that supposedly were added to this group, so I have removed all of those in question except for the  French Commandeur of the Legion of Honor in box (which I was informed was added by a Gettysburg dealer and owner of a museum there),  Some of the other medals, etc. that most likely belonged to the general have been consolidated in another group with certificates for these, and more, including the pile of bound documents.

One individual questioned some of the campaign medals on the ribbon bar, thinking that some of the medals were replacements from other recipients, which is totally incorrect, as I have all the records of every medal,

Medal on ribbon bar:

• DSM  No. 1020.  Boxed.
• War with Spain Campaign  No. 13331.
• Philippine Insurrection Campaign  No. 22857.
• Cuban  Pacification No. 6308.

Loose Campaigns:

• Philippine Insurrection  No. 1057 (replaced -reported lost).
• Cuban Pacification  No. 1718 (replaced – reported lost).

Other medals:

• French commandeur of the Legion of Honor in Box.(Neck order).
• French officer of the Legion of Honor, Boxed.
• Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm.
• New York State Conspicuous Service Cross No, 104.
• Military Athletic League 1905, (ribbon badly deteriorated).
• 1937 USWV Convention at Columbus, Ohio badge, with stamped name.
• New York Society Military and Naval Officers World War badge, (early split brooch with member’s card, dated 1938).

Miniature ribbon bar:

With the addition of the Silver Star medal, the NYS Conspicuous Service medal, and a NYS WWI Service Medal.  The NYS WWI Service medal is in another lot listed separately, since there is no verification that it is Ford’s. Most likely it is, but don’t want any questioning the integrity of this group.

Taken from a post in 2012 on the U.S. Militaria Forum concerning the Silver Star medal: The question was asked “how did he get the SSM?”  One post I believe summed it up marvelously, “Not all citations stars converted to a Silver Star medal, the citations were reviewed and there was a determination made if the citation fit the medal criteria, for example if the citation (SS) was upgraded to the DSM, basically the same act, he could not have both.  The main difference is that if is was determined that the citation was based on “Meritorious Service” vs. Gallantry in Action.” I suspect that after he retired he had the mini set made up since he would not have been allowed to wear the state medals (NYS Conspicuous Service Medal)  while on duty. I’m guessing that he decided to add the Silver Star without the formality of an official sanction.”   Another individual added, “It’s not uncommon to find anomalies like this in miniature groups and ribbon bars in those days…”

Also included are a set of three Meyer “Shold-R-Form / STERLING” generals stars to represent General Ford’s final rank at retirement in 1941, (pin back), and a box containing misc. ribbons, ribbon bars, etc.

A ring binder with some original photographs about two inches thick contains all the records of medals awarded, with numbers, etc.  (see photo section on this listing for those entries.

Condition overall is fine.

If other lots listed separately are of interest to one buyer, I can reduce some on the price, liking to keep the body of the group together, but I fear the cost of the total group may hamper the purchase.

 

Stanley Hamer Ford (1877 – 1961).  Born Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio University in 1898, and was commissioned as an Infantry 2nd Lieutenant and saw service in both Cuba, and the Philippines during the Spanish American War. During WWI he served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the 84th Division, and Chief of Staff for MG John O’Ryan of the 27th Division, there receiving the DSM.  After the war, Gen. Ford continued his service as commander of the 16th U.S. Infantry from 1924 to 1926, and Asst. Chief of Staff  of the Army’s Intelligence Division from 1927 to 1930.  He was promoted to brigadier general in 1930, and major general in 1936, and Lt. General in 1939 with command assignments of the 1st Infantry Division, VII Corps, the Dept. of the Philippines, and Second Army, where he oversaw the execution of a large scale maneuvers and exercises by active Army & National Guard troops preparing for readiness in anticipation of WWII.  During the early part of WWII, Gen. Ford assisted John F. O’Ryan as the New York State Civil Defense Director. General Ford died at Carlisle Barracks while en route to John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural.

A super Medal Grouping for an important American general.