What is this 03-31?

[coyote101]

I'll start it.

[FinsnFur]

Theres a lot going on there.
It looks like the outer rim is separate from the center, which means it's set down in there.
When I first glanced at it, I thought it was the crimped end of a shotgun shell
How big is this thing? I'm wondering if there's money inside or if it's protecting an apple pie. 

[coyote101]

 Jim,

It is about 1/2 inch across.

Pat

[nastygunz]

Military?

[HaMeR]

JAWAG on my part but maybe a Ladies hair pin?  I was gonna say a button as my #2 best guess. 

[remrogers]

Looks like a fancy cloth button.

[coyote101]

Military?

Yes

[nastygunz]

Winner winner 🐔 Dinner!

[coyote101]

Winner winner 🐔 Dinner!

I thought you might be the winner, Nasty. Let them know what it is.

Pat

[nastygunz]

I don't really know to be honest it looks like some kind of a military decoration.

[coyote101]

It is a Medal of Honor rosette.

In the United States, the Medal of Honor is issued with the medal, a ribbon, a lapel pin, and a 1/2 inch light blue rosette with white stars, authorized for civilian wear as a lapel button.


Pat

[nastygunz]

 I thought the stars had some sort of military connection.

[JohnP]

Pat - Have you served with any or know any MoH soldiers?  I would assume you know Mike Novosel, met him for the first time in RVN, he flew a couple of Medevacs for our team, then again at Ft Rucker when I was in the WO Advance Course.  Know a couple from DF and one in the 82nd

[coyote101]

Pat - Have you served with any or know any MoH soldiers?  I would assume you know Mike Novosel, met him for the first time in RVN, he flew a couple of Medevacs for our team, then again at Ft Rucker when I was in the WO Advance Course.  Know a couple from DF and one in the 82nd

I met Mike Novosel Sr. a couple of times at Ft. Rucker. He spent the last years of his career there, and was frequently a guest at the many functions that take place at the school house even after he retired. Interestingly, when I was in the Advance Course, his son Mike Novosel Jr., also an Army aviator, was in the Senior Course. He and his dad were in the same Med Evac unit in Vietnam where Mike Sr. earned the MOH. Both retired as CW4.

Pat

[coyote101]

Here is a photo of Mike Novosel in civilian clothes wearing his Medal of Honor and the rosette on his jacket:



Pat