Army and Navy Union

[fred J Borgmann]

My wife recently found this photo in an antique mall! It is of a veteran wearing the generic uniform of the 1930’s which nearly all veterans seem to wear in the photos I have seen. Each has a Sam Brown type belt and the proper organizational insignia sewn on. In this case the man was a member and commander in the Army and Navy Union based on the medals he is wearing. The medals are an Army and Navy Union membership medal with a four star brooch, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and below these is a pin back cross with a skull in the center much like a German Frei Korps or White Russian award. I assume it is also an Army and Navy Union award since it has the initials “A & N U “ on the arms of the cross. The Cross looks like it is enameled. Can anyone here tell us more about this unusual cross? Thanks, Fred

Copy of Army Navy Union.jpg (40.68 KiB) Viewed 1039 times

[Jim Barker]

A version of the Military order of the Firing Squad badge. A subordinate ANU group like the "Cooties" & "40 & 8" groups. There is an illustration of one with a "starburst" background in Barry Wearver's JOMSA article on ANU badges - see vol 50 #6.

Jim

[Jim Barker]

From his ANU membership badge this guy looks to be the Commander-in-Chief.

Jim

[fred J Borgmann]

Thanks Jim!!