Hi. I came across your posting while researching a document I am in possession of.

About 4 years ago, I was in Madison, Georgia and I bought a picture frame at an antiques/street fair.

Unfortunately, the frame broke in transit...but in the frame, behind the backer, was a document/award presented by George the Sixth on August 19, 1948. It is presented to Captain Herman Franklin Gingrich, U.S.N. The document has an original embossed seal on it and is in good shape...except for the fact that it has been folded and has creases on it.

The complete text is as follows:
"George the Sixth by the grace of God of Great Britain, Ireland and the British dominions beyond the seas, King, Defender of the faith and sovereign of the most excellent order of the British empire to captain Herman Franklin Gingrich United States Navy.
Whereas we have thought fit to nominate and appoint you to be an honorary commander of the military division of our said most excellent order of the British empire we do by these presents grant unto you the dignity of an honorary commander of our said order and hereby authorise you to have hold and enjoy the said dignity and rank of an honorary commander of our aforesaid order together with all and singular the privileges thereunto belonging or appertaining.
Given at our court at saint James under our sign manual and the seal of our said order this nineteenth day of August 1948 in the twelfth year of our reign.
By the sovereign's command
(Mary R. signature)
Grand master
Grant of the dignity of an honorary commander of the military division of the order of the British empire to captain Herman Franklin Gingrich, U.S.N."

Well, that's it. I can send you a picture if you want. If this is your grandfather (and I believe it is) the document is yours if you want it.

You can contact me through here and I will give you my email/phone # for further communication.

Best regards,
--James H.

Hello James H.,WOW! It sure sounds like the original award to my Grandfather Captain Herman Franklin Gingrich,U.S.N. I have a copy that my Mother was able to get, when she was doing her ancestry searches. I also have a news paper artical, with photo, of my Grandfather being awarded the Medal. The document was taken by my Uncle Richard Gingrich, youngest son of Capt. Gingrich, when my Grandfather passed away in Jacksonville,Florida. My Uncle was liveing in Georgia, when he passed away. To bad the Medal was not with the document, that is what I am trying to see if it can be replaced. Now that the original document has ben found this may help in replacing the Medal. Again Thank you for finding the document.

Mark Preston

No problemo. If you'd like I could ship it to you...just let me know where to.

Hello James, Yes I would like the document shipped to me, if you would. May I ask what was the picture in the frame, that made you buy it? My Uncle took things from my Grandfathers house while my Grandmother was away in California. When my Grandparents were first married, my Grandfather was stationed in the Phillipines, but did some travel in China, and brought many things back with them. My e-mail is mpreston_fam@comcast.net, and phone is 916-689-6824. Thank you again.

Mark Preston