In white metal with a bronze-colored wash, copper gilt dragon insignia, patent marked "PAT.9.9.'02" on the edge, hand engraved "ENSIGN H.C. DINGER. U.S. NAVY. No 1234." on the reverse, measuring 36.2 mm in diameter, its swivel suspension, ribbon and pagoda-style hanger with pinback having been lost to time, bruised, edge nicks, surface wear on the reverse, fair. Accompanied by a copy of his U.S. National Cemetery Interment Card, along with his Obituary from the New York Times of October 16, 1960.
Footnote: Henry Charles Dinger was born on March 2, 1876 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the son of Charles W. Dinger and Magdelen Lorenze. He had two brothers, Charles and Julius and two sisters, Emma and Johanna, his religion, Catholic. He enlisted with the United States Navy on May 19, 1894 and would go on to have a long career in the Navy, seeing service during the Spanish-American War, along with the First World War, as a naval engineering expert. In the rank of Lieutenant, he was the author of an article that appeared on page 40 of the Journal of the American Society for Naval Engineers, Volume 20, Issue 1 in February 1908, entitled "The Engineering Situation in the United States Navy". In addition, he authored a 324 page book entitled "Handbook for the Care and Operation of Naval Machinery", published by the D. Van Nostrand Company of New York in 1908, the third edition of which was published during the First World War in 1918. It had six parts (Operation of Naval Machinery, Care and Overhaul of Main Plant, Fittings and Auxiliaries, Care and Presentation Sub-Division of Hull, Special Auxiliary Engines, Spare Parts and Tests), entailing thirty-two chapters. Dinger retired in the rank of Captain (0 03195) in 1930, having completed twenty-six years' service in the United States Navy. His first marriage was to May Rose Sadlier at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York, the daughter of William H. Sadlier and Anna Cassidy. The couple having one son, Frank Sadlier Dinger (February 13, 1908 - January 11, 1995). His second marriage was to Gertrude Mack on or about 1920, the couple having two children, a daughter, Sr. (Sister) Josephine Maura Dinger and a son, Henry Charles Dinger, Jr.. Henry Charles Dinger, Sr. collapsed and died while walking near his home in New York, on October 15, 1960, at the age of 84. His internment took place on October 19th in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, Plot: Section 4, Grave 1355 L.H., his son, Frank Sadlier Dinger named as his next-of-kin and assisting in the burial arrangements. His other son from his second marriage, Henry Charles Dinger, Jr., who was born on February 9, 1924, served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy during the Second World War. He died on June 14, 1954, at the age of 30 and is also buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Plot: Section 4, Site 3278-B.