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  The U.S. Merchant Marine.

  By ChrisKelly · Posted 11 minutes ago

  The Soviet Union awarded the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War to the merchant seamen of all Allied nations who participated in the legendary "Arctic convoys", primarily to and from Murmansk, during the War.    The USSR, under General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, advertised and solicited applications from ex-merchant seafarers who qualified.  The British and Canadians were the first, and most copiously awarded.  Upon award, the recipients were placed on a perpetual list, ensuring they would automatically receive subsequent anniversary medals until their deaths (these "jubilee" medals are not awarded posthumously).  Additionally, all surviving veterans of the Arctic convoys were awarded the esteemed Medal of Ushakov beginning in 2012.     For the U.S. Merchant Marines, given the despicable, insulting attitude of the American government, and most of the American public, towards merchant seafarers, coupled with the hostile view of the USSR, recognition was slow, and grudging at best.  Nonetheless, arrangements were made for these brave merchant seamen to receive the 40th Anniversary medals upon application.  It was not until the 21st century that recognition for those non-military personnel who "did their bit" and then some, started coming more copiously.   The first two images show the medal as awarded to non-USSR citizens, including Allied metchant seamen.   Sources:   https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/10/29/soviet-murmansk-medal-brings-chilling-memories-marylander-served-in-arctic-convoys/   https://militariabcn.com/product/ussr-medal-of-the-40th-anniversary-of-the-victory-of-the-great-patriotic-war-version-for-foreigners/?lang=en   https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_Ushakov     Not to digress, but the images below show awards to the U.S. Merchant Marine's British counterparts.     Source:   https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-33252549.amp
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  Medal for Battle Merit, to Captain Levchenko, P.L.

  By Wat05 · Posted 1 hour ago

  Some things special, is that according to the information here, and on Pamyat Naroda, Petr Lavrent'yevich was part of a 'Spetsnaz' Group, the Special Forces, which I believe may be quite interesting. Furthermore, the group he was part of, the 1st Guards Engineering Brigade, were the providers and supporters of the 5th Shock Army, of which in their headquarters is where the unconditional surrender of the German Reich was signed by Field-Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, on the 8th of May, in Karlshorst, Berlin - which marked the end of the War in Europe.     
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  The U.S. Merchant Marine.

  By ChrisKelly · Posted 1 hour ago

  U.S. Merchant Seamen were also given medals by the goverment of the Phillipines, for those who participated or were present for the defense (1941), liberation (1944-1945) or independence (1946) of that island nation.  The miniature of the Phillipine Defense Medal is slightly different in design than the full sized medal (image 3).  These are official government awards.   Sources:   https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/wwii-philippine-made-medal-lot-defence-liberation-479-c-fda4b0ab78   https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/the-philippine-defense-medal-instituted-in-1944-1651-c-684479ca2e    
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  Medal for Battle Merit, to Captain Levchenko, P.L.

  By Wat05 · Posted 2 hours ago

  Greetings, fellow phalerists!   Today I would like to present a Medal for Battle Merit, No. 2186611. I was able to have it researched, and here is the results...   It was awarded to a Captain of the 4th Guards Motorized Engineering Warsaw Battalion, 1st Separate Guards Motorized Engineering Brest Red Banner and Order of Suvorov Brigade - LEVCHENKO, Petr Lavrent'yevich. Here is our hero...     Now, I will show you the Medal, and the Register Card.            Here, we can see the basic information. He was born in 26 August, 1906, in the Village of Moshny, Cherkassy Region, Kyiv Oblast. He had no Party Membership, had 7 Years of Education, and was serving in the Red Army from 1941 until 1946. After war, he was working as Manager of the Teahouse in Moshny, where he still lives. Throughout the war, he received the Order of the Red Star, Medal for Battle Merit, Medal for the Defence of Stalingrad, Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw, Medal for the Capture of Berlin, and the Medal for the Victory over Germany. This will be the story of how he received the Medal for Battle Merit. I will place here the Award Sheet, Original and Translation.    First, Original...       Here is the following translation...       When searching his name, I found that he held an Officers Card, which I retrieved. I will apply it here, but I have not translated it yet.         
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  More Burma/Myanmar unknowns

  By No one · Posted 3 hours ago

  Dear Gentlemen,   "Union of Myanmar Military Service Medal":     Yours sincerely, No one