Gordon Williamson

E-Boat

Blockade Breaker

Destroyer

High Seas Fleet

Flak

Minesweeper

U-Boat

More 57 Clasps

Transport Flight Clasp

Panzer

Ground Assault

Flak

Air Gunner

Pilot Observer

Para

Radio Operator

Retired Pilot

Glider Pilot

Observer

As there seems to be quite a good level of interest in 1957 stuff these days, here are some of the Lufty ones. Pilot

Die truck in silver, the tiny M at the bottom indicates the Osaka Mint.

Close up Obverse

Unlike the Rising Sun and Sacred Treasure Orders, which were available to both civilian and military people, the Golden Kite was purely military. After WW2 Japan renounced militarism ( and now only has not Armed Forces but a "Self Defence Force") and thus no need for purely military decorations. The Golden Kite was abolished in 1947. The award shows the legendary Golden Kite, the messenger of the Gods over a pair of crossed Samurai shields each with a sword and banner superimposed and vertically in the centre, a sheathed Halberd.

Very nice John. Glad to see someone else likes these. I have a 6th Class on its way to me now. Pity that prices jump quite a bit when you get to the top grades !

Yes, the temptation is very strong. I've a whole load of others "in the pipeline". To be honest, I think I actually prefer this stuff to the German. The award docs are sometimes available too, problem is trying to figure out what they are for, in Japanese characters !!! :speechless-smiley-004: