Orders, Decorations and Medals

A well documented group of three awarded to Chief Boatswains Mate J. R. Patchin, United States Navy, latterly a Chief Quarterman Rigger at the San Francisco Shipyards

Mexican Service Medal, Navy issue (3748) remounted on split brooch; Victory Medal 1918, official type 2, no clasp, remounted on full wrap brooch; Navy Good Conduct Medal, reverse inscribed, ‘C.S.C. 38541 Jess R. Patchin, U.S.S. Philippine Sept. 21 1919’ remounted on full wrap brooch, with two additional brooch bars inscribed, ‘U.S. Navy Recr’g. Sta. Minneapolis, Minn.’, engraved on reverse, ‘C.S.C. 38541 21 Sept. 1923’ and the other inscribed, ‘U.S.S. Selfridge’, engraved on reverse, ‘C.S.C. 38541 2 Aug. 1927’, this last lacking brooch fitting; together with two lapel badges: ‘S.F. Naval Shipyard Beneficial Suggestion Award’ and ‘U.S.N. Meritorious Civilian Service’, both enamelled, good very fine (5) £160-200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of American Medals.

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Jess Ralph Patchin was born in Darlington, Missouri on 1 December 1891. He enlisted into the U.S. Navy at Kansas City, Missouri on 16 November 1910 and as a Bugler received an honourable discharge on 16 November 1914. Rejoining the Navy, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Patchin, U.S.N. received a commendation in July 1921 for meritorious service when serving on U.S.S. Radford, at San Diego Harbour, on 20 June 1921: ‘... Cash fell overboard from the forecastle, and being unable to swim, was in great danger of drowning. Without a moment’s hesitation you jumped overboard to his assistance, and after struggling with Cash, breaking several dangerous holds, succeeded in bringing him to the surface and supporting him until both of you were picked up. ...’ As Chief Boatswain’s Mate, he was honourably discharged from the U.S. Navy on 9 August 1927. Then served with the Fleet Naval Reserve until 1931.

Jess Patchin was awarded the San Francisco Naval Shipyard Certificate of Commendation, 4 August 1947 - ‘for having displayed initiative and resourcefulness while employed at this Naval Shipyard, has made a valuable contribution to improve workmanship and increase production’. Was awarded the U.S.N. Meritorious Civilian Service Award in February 1949 - ‘... in recognition of meritorious action performed in June 1948 when an explosion occurred on one of the yard cranes. Despite the imminent danger of a second explosion, you entered the crane cab and later with the help of a fellow employee, removed the body of the regular operator.’

With U.S.N. Discharge Certificate; letter of commendation, 1921; Bureau of Navigation Certificate - for completing a course in Aviation Seamanship, 1928; another for completing a course as Tugmaster, 1929; Fleet Naval Reserve Certificate of Service, 1931; U.S. Naval Drydocks Hunter’s Point, California document of appointment to Quarterman Rigger, 1944; another of appointment to Chief Quarterman Rigger, 1945; another certificate in recognition of his wartime service, 1945; San Francisco Naval Shipyard Certificate of Commendation; letter approving the award of the U.S.N. Meritorious Civilian Service Award; San Francisco Naval Shipyard Certificate of Commendation, 1947; Navy Department Supervisor Training Certificate, 1947; San Francisco Naval Shipyard Certificate of Service, 1948; Fraternal Order of Eagles membership document, 1957.