Swiss Military Medals?

[bigjarofwasps]

Just out of interest, does Switzerland issue any military medals, to it soldiers? Did they have any for WW1 or WW2? Have they got any soldiers deployed any where for the current war on terror, do they have a medal for this?

[Laurence Strong]

Hi Gordon

IIRC they don't have many medals, I believe they just came in with a Long Service medal

This link contains alot of info on the Swiss currently

http://www.forum.uniforminsignia.net/viewt...5e52098fc23c249

[Laurence Strong]

A bit more info:

".... Switzerland does not have any Official Orders, Decorations or Medals. As well, there are strict rules to the acceptance of Foreign Awards. Not all Swiss can accept foreign awards; members of the armed forces, government employees and parliamentarians are banned from receiving them under national legislation. This ban was originally implemented in the 1848 Swiss constitution, as a means of guaranteeing Switzerland?s independence from foreign interests. Before 1848, the Swiss Confederation?s biggest export was soldiers. To guarantee the loyalty of these mercenaries, foreign monarchs, especially the French, used to award them pensions, titles and medals. But when Switzerland?s first constitution was drawn up in 1848, the authorities wanted to guarantee the new state?s independence. All mercenary service was abolished with the exception of the Vatican Guard, and strict guidelines for foreign awards were established. Article 12 of the Constitution said that parliamentarians and federal employees could not receive or wear foreign decorations. When it was revised in 1874, the ban was extended to citizens serving in the army. This did not stop some politicians from receiving awards. The most famous case involved Gustave Ador, a federal minister at the end of the First World War, who wore the Legion of Honour?s Grand Cross, the highest possible distinction. In 1931, to prevent further abuses of this type, the government tightened the rules, banning cantonal authorities and employees from accepting foreign honours. Parliamentarians were also told to hand back any medals, even if they had been awarded before being elected to office. This happened to Geneva?s Jean Ziegler, who had to give up on his officer?s rank in the French Order of the Arts in 1987. The latest revision of the Constitution in 1999 saw Article 12 disappear altogether. Parliament decided that such a ban could be covered by legislation. The new law goes over the much of the same ground previously covered in the Constitution. Citizens serving in the army, parliamentarians and federal employees cannot accept foreign awards. Those who received them before taking office simply have to restrain from wearing their medals in public....."

Ref: swissinfo 1 Aug 03, Olivier Pauchard

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo BJOW

the Swiss I believe do issue ribbons for various exercises and training accomplishments but very few actual medals.

Kevin in Deva.

[bigjarofwasps]

Hallo BJOW

the Swiss I believe do issue ribbons for various exercises and training accomplishments but very few actual medals.

Kevin in Deva.

Cheers Guys, I suppose this makes sense, as their not the most warlike country in the world are they!!!!

I was very surprised to learn that their not part of NATO!!!!

They make nice chocolate mind...

[bigjarofwasps]

......and lets not forget their women folk!!!!!!

Miss Switzerland

[Kev in Deva]

well seeing as its The Gentleman's Military Interest Forum you might have mentioned the Swiss Army Knife

Kevin in Deva

[bigjarofwasps]

well seeing as its The Gentleman's Military Interest Forum you might have mentioned the Swiss Army Knife

Kevin in Deva

The Swiss Army knife in tactical red, they don`t really use/issue them do they?

[Kev in Deva]

The Swiss Army knife in tactical red, they don`t really use/issue them do they?

The red blends in with the pretty mountain flowers in the high Alpine pastures, ask MacGyver

<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6b3b/" target="_blank">http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6b3b/</a>

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/8b97/

Or in Blue for the Swiss Navy

Kevin in Deva.

Edited April 28, 2008 by Kev in Deva

[bigjarofwasps]

The red blends in with the pretty mountain flowers in the high Alpine pastures, ask MacGyver

<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6b3b/" target="_blank">http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6b3b/</a>

<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/8b97/" target="_blank">http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/8b97/</a>

Or in Blue for the Swiss Navy

Kevin in Deva.

Kev, love the bottom one, you`d need two hands to hold it..

What do you think of the latest issue Swiss Army assault rifle...?

[Kev in Deva]

I think the bird decoy on the sight is a REPRO

Kevin in Deva

[Blackbird]

Hallo BJOW the Swiss I believe do issue ribbons for various exercises and training accomplishments but very few actual medals. Kevin in Deva.

Kev, do they have any Orders like the British KBE, etc,etc? BB

Edited April 30, 2008 by Blackbird

[Kev in Deva]

Kev, do they have any Orders like the British KBE, etc,etc? BB

Sorry, Blackbird, I have no idea with regards civil issues,

but reading what is posted above it seems their is a disdain from wearing any decorations

But to bring this thread back in line I attach pictures of this Swiss Commemorative Piece

from 1945 recently for sale on e b a y

Kevin in Deva.

Edited April 30, 2008 by Kev in Deva

[Kev in Deva]

This is a link to Swiss Table Medals :-

<a href="http://www.historicalartmedals.com/MEDAL%2...ew%20thumbnails" target="_blank">http://www.historicalartmedals.com/MEDAL%2...ew%20thumbnails</a>.

from the: COLLECTION OF BENJAMIN WEISS

MEDALS BY JEAN AND JACQUES-ANTOINE DASSIER.

Peacekeeping Service Medals: As a result of a Directive dated 10 March, 2000, Swiss soldiers who serve on peacekeeping mission are authorized to wear a medal for that service. The medals are awarded for 150 days in theatre.

To date, the following medals have been authorized: Peacekeeping Medal (pictured left), Korea, Namibia, Sahara (MINURSO), Bosnia-Herzegovinia and Kosovo.

SWISS SHOOTING MEDALS:-

http://news.webshots.com/album/25816090sMehgXPDta

Kevin in Deva.

Edited May 1, 2008 by Kev in Deva

[Taz]

Peacekeeping Service Medals: As a result of a Directive dated 10 March, 2000, Swiss soldiers who serve on peacekeeping mission are authorized to wear a medal for that service. The medals are awarded for 150 days in theatre.

To date, the following medals have been authorized: Peacekeeping Medals Korea, Namibia, Sahara (MINURSO), Bosnia-Herzegovinia and Kosovo.

Kevin in Deva.

Guys In an earlier post Laurence posted a link where the various Peacekeeping Medals are shown.

From the insigna forum.

One thing has to be remembered when posting endless links and linkups to image hosting sites, once these become broken the thread becomes worthless and valuable information is lost for ever.

[Taz]

These are the Images shown, with kind thanks to the insignia forum.

Edited May 1, 2008 by Taz

[Taz]

Another two.

[Taz]

And the Western Sahara Medal.

Regards Eddie.

[Kev in Deva]

As one of my links relates to Swiss Table Medals of a historical nature

I did not see the need to copy the many images to G.M.I.C. (would need to seek permission anyway!)

as the link is just to give an idea that the Swiss were into producing medals,

if not into wearing them.

Kevin in Deva.

[Taz]

As one of my links relates to Swiss Table Medals of a historical nature

I did not see the need to copy the many images to G.M.I.C. (would need to seek permission anyway!)

as the link is just to give an idea that the Swiss were into producing medals,

if not into wearing them.

Kevin in Deva.

Morning Kev,

That was a general remark, not just regarding the broken Table Medal link.

Don't you find it annoying following a link to a non-existant image?

It sadly often happens.

Regards Eddie.

[bigjarofwasps]

Guys In an earlier post Laurence posted a link where the various Peacekeeping Medals are shown.

From the insigna forum.

One thing has to be remembered when posting endless links and linkups to image hosting sites, once these become broken the thread becomes worthless and valuable information is lost for ever.

I like the Bosnia one, far better quality then the NATO ones they issued us!!! Are Swiss medals expensive to buy do we know?

[bigjarofwasps]

Found this WW1 Swiss medal up for auction on Ebay (US seller).

WW1 Swiss Military Service Medal 800 Silver - No Reserve

This is a nice heavy silver badge as awarded to a WW1 Swiss Soldier. 1 1/8" wide x 1 3/8" tall lightly vaulted badge features a Swiss Soldier on the front. The back has a large Swiss cross and writing in three languages. Dated 1918. The back is stamped "0800".

WW1 Swiss Military Service Medal 800 Silver - No Res Item number: 270232709021

[Kev in Deva]

The Swiss medal above is not an official military issue per se,

but an item that was sold to raise money to help the wives and families

of soldiers away on duty at the borders, state security etc..etc in the WW1 years.

This one has been further modified to a broach fitting.

Kevin in Deva.

[bigjarofwasps]

The Swiss medal above is not an official military issue per se,

but an item that was sold to raise money to help the wives and families

of soldiers away on duty at the borders, state security etc..etc in the WW1 years.

This one has been further modified to a broach fitting.

Kevin in Deva.

Arharrr.....cheers for the Kev. A nice medal anyway.. Along the same lines as the sweetheart badges from the UK, during the same period, it would seem.

[Sharkey1807]

The swiss army had in the past (1980s) some pins for specialisations. Those was called in the troops jargon  "Sugus", reason fot that was there square form like the bonbons. If i'm correct that got changed somewere in 95 with a new ribbon system for specialist and duty-ribbons.

More here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_awards_and_decorations_of_Switzerland