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    ralstona

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    Everything posted by ralstona

    1. Why would the last name be written in a different hand?? Also, agreed that you can't tell from the document alone that it was a casualty award but several sources I have found confirm that all of the awards from Decree 1712 (of 1936) are for wounds from the war in Africa. So circumstantial evidence would seem to confirm.
    2. Also, I am unable figure out what it says to the left of his name. It doesn't look like it is in the same hand as the other written parts. Any ideas?
    3. Just bought this. Includes an original document and the cross itself. Here's what I've pieced together. This award was made under the decree of July 2, 1936 (no. 1712). This decree dealt with: "Decree of July 2, 1936 - XIX - no. 1712: Applicable to the veterans of the war in Africa 1935-36, providing provisions for the awarding of honors to those soldiers wounded in battle. Specifically the Cross of Merit for the war in Africa" The document is award to "Granatiere Andrea di Sebastiano". His rank, Granatiere (Grenadier) narrows down his unit (which is not listed). The 1st Battalion of the 3rd Grenadiers (of Savoy) took part in the attack on the Uarieu Pass on 27 Feb 1936 (this was also known as the 2nd Battle of Tembien). Was Sebastiano wounded here? Seems likely but not definite. The unit sustained many casualties. Any thoughts on research angles or other info would be appreciated. The document is "signed" by Mussolini but I don't think it is a real signature (likely a stamp).
    4. Jackpot! Found his citation for the Al Valore Militare in Silver. It reads: Barachi, Cassa da Emberti (Hamasen) Ascari 9th Battaglione Indigeni Eritrei, No 19473 matricola " In a furious counter-attack by the battalion with bayonets, he distinguished himself among the first in audacity and courage, falling victim to his duty." So a casualty on top of it all.
    5. I contacted the people at the Museum at West Point. They have no information about Lt. DeWitt or the whereabouts of his gold medal. Here is a link to a recent article that talks about how a museum in Vittorio-Veneto has named a wing after DeWitt. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034937/posts
    6. I made a new topic about Dewitt. Does anyone know if there is a unit history of the 9th Eritrean battalion?
    7. P.s. does anyone know where Nicholas II's gold al valore is? I wonder what the price on that would be?!
    8. Ah but he is American. No melting gold medals here. It also wasn't issued until 1921 when his body was returned to the usa. I will post a picture of his head stone when I get a chance. His being in the army (air corps in wwi, not independent air force yet) and living just a stone's throw from West Point, that seems a logical place to start. I am going to try and contact the museum there and see if they have any info.
    9. In my post about my recent purchase of a silver al valore I mentioned that I live a few miles from the grave of Lt. Coleman Dewitt. He was one of 4 foreigners to earn a gold al valore. The other three were a pair of french pilots and czar Nicholas ii. He was shot down in 1918 during the battle of vittorio-veneto. He is buried right up the road from me in Tenafly, NJ. His commanding officer was Fiorello LaGuardia future mayor of NYC. Anybody know where his gold medal is? What do you think it would be worth?
    10. You know, I have no idea where it is. Never thought about it before but sure would like to see (or own) it. Need to do some looking. What do you think it would be worth?
    11. Is it correct to draw the parallel between the Al Valore Militare in Silver and the DCM in the British System (with the gold version being a VC and the bronze a MM)? I have to check on those unit awards. I live not far from West Point and I am sure I have seen some captured Italian flags from North Africa on display there. Never looked closely but may have some medals attached. Speaking of the Al Valore in Gold. One of only 4 foreigners to win one is buried just a few miles from my house in Tenafly, NJ. Lieutenant Coleman DeWitt was KIA in 1918 at Vittorio-Veneto. The other three were 2 French pilots and Czar Nicholas II!
    12. Had to look up the washing machine reference...we don't have that brand here☺ The postcard above mentions that the unit received the al valore militare in silver. I assume that means to decorate their flag? Were these "named"?
    13. I think this one also has going for it a bit more context than most. The 9th eritrean battalion was the only one engaged at Zuetina so it makes it easier to pin him down. The post cards help to. It will frame up nicely and it is nice to have award numbers listed for the al valores. Now I need to find some more details about Zuetina. From the little i've found it was a gruesome affair, lots of hand to hand fighting with knives. Would a campaign medal have come with this too? i.e. the libia reverse version of the italo-Turkish war medal. I'm almost embarrassed to mention what paid for it... $300. Art
    14. I'm not sure I am even reading "Cafsa" correctly on the medal. Does this obverse mean he was native or mixed and non-Christian? Did white officers or ncos in colonial units get the Savoy crest or the portrait obverse like their men?
    15. Wow Paul that is more than I thought. Anyone know where I can find a good acount of the battle of zuetina? Either in English or italian. Also is his first name Barachi or is that his last?
    16. After a little more research. Here is an alternative back to the above postcard. One version is plain while this one has a list of medals won by the battalion in Libya. Zuetina: 1 Military Order of Savoy 1 AL Valore Militare to the battalion 67 AL valore militaire in silver 110 al valore militaire in bronze
    17. Just bought this. I Think it's a rare one. Engraved on the back "Zuetina - 12 Marzo 1914" and "Barachi Cafsa" (I think). Zuetina is a town in libya. A fierce battle took place there on March 12, 1914. It involved the 9th Eritrean Battalion fighting Senuss tribesmen in Italy's campaign to consolidate control over Libya. Below are pics of obverse and reverse. Also a post card I found depicting the 9th fighting at Zuetina on the 12th. Still a few questions... Am I reading his name correctly? What other avenues are there for research? What do you think it's worth? There is a bronze one on a well known dealers site for £1550. The silver are much rarer (although the bronze are rare in their own right).
    18. The customs medal on the dealer site is $500 (no ribbon). The Native Guard medal (sold about 2 months ago) went for $1100. I think the police went for $800, that was about 9 months ago.
    19. Just finished this. Put it in my showcase but thought I'd post it here too. Some of the rarer medals awarded for service in French Indochina. Medals shown are Public Instruction, Public Works, Forest Service, Customs, Police, Railroad, Medical Services and Native Guard. A close up is in my showcase. These don't come up for sale often. In the past year I have seen one police and one customs on ebay.fr. There was a native guard and public works on ebay.fr recently. A well known dealer currently has a customs on his site. All go for big bucks (around $1000).
    20. Just picked this up. Great shot of two troopers in Tunis of the 4e Chasseur d'Afrique. Nice view of uniforms, swords and shakos with covers. Bit odd what with the hand holding... Brothers I assume??
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