slava1stclass

To all: No beard contest could be considered complete without including this well-known Double HSU. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: Yet another HSU bearded one. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: Thanks to WildCard for sharing this image of a gnarly HSU. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: Having focused exclusively on Full Cavalier sets going back some 15 years, my judgment remains as expressed in Post 1 above. While some components of this "set" may be original, it does not bear the hallmarks of a genuine group. Several of the reasons for this are discussed in the above posts. Personally, I would advise forum members to steer clear. Even NavyFCO's/Dave's two consecutively numbered Full Cavalier groups (exhaustively discussed in another forum thread) would be a better expenditure of your money. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: You've seen examples of these these hairy troopers posted elsewhere in the Soviet section of this forum. Let's get these Soviet military beard boys gathered up in one thread and see who has the best beard among them. Shaving profile, what shaving profile? Let the contest begin! This split-beard Captain 1st Rank is an appropriate chap to kick the competition off. Regards, slava1stclass

Still unsold. Highest bid this go round hit $5,600.00. Regards, slava1stclass

It's back. Just relisted. Regards, slava1stclass

Rick, Khayla, Aleksandr Fedorovich. He flew 149 combat missions and engaged in 39 separate dogfights. Scored nine personal kills and shared in five others. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: Literally speaking! Regards, slava1stclass

To all: It went unsold. Last bid was $4,050.00. My suspicions were confirmed. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: The number of Full Cavaliers of the Order of Glory whose 1st Class award was made posthumously runs in the double figures. This detail, as well many other unique details connected with Full Cavalier winners, will be furnished in my forthcoming book. As with posthumous HSUs, the rights and privileges accorded a Full Cavlier were also extended to a posthumous Full Cavalier's NOK. Like the posthumous HSUs, however, the actual Order of Glory 1st Class was not presented to the NOK. Regards, slava1stclass

In response to Chuck's request in the "Bong's Rack" thread - the ribbon rack of USMC Major Everett Parker Pope. Glad to help. Regards, slava1stclass

Dave, Thank you for asking. I designed my own program. Regards, slava1stclass

Dave, Agree. Regards, slava1stclass

Bob, Pappy only received two individual decorations for valor - the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross - in late summer 1945 once repatriated to the states. Regards, slava1stclass

Picture 4

Picture 3

Picture 2

To all: Currently listed on the well-known auction site. I have my suspicions about the integrity of this "set." Note that no official stamp appears on the photo. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: Maj Richard I. 's ribbon rack. Regards, slava1stclass

To all: 1st Lt Audie Murphy's World War II ribbon rack. Regards, slava1stclass

Kevin and Dave. BG William O. Darby it is. Of his decorations, only the DSM, one PH and the the Order of Kutusov 3rd Class were posthumous. What's also interesting to note is that he was not authorized the CIB as his basic branch was Field Artillery. Regards, slava1stclass

coastie and Dave, Correct - Hackworth it is. While Hackworth may not have believed his World War II service in the United States Merchant Marine constituted wartime service, as coastie noted, the fact that he was awarded the Merchant Marine Pacific War Zone Bar (for service in the Pacific zone including the North Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean east of eighty degrees east longitude) and the Merchant Marine Victory Medal (awarded to members of the crews of ships who served 30 days or more during the period December 7, 1941 to September 3, 1945) speaks otherwise. Whether he actually saw combat/served under fire while with the MM in the Pacific theater is another matter. Great information, too, on the other highly decorated Army veterans! Regards, slava1stclass

Wid Card, Good guess, however, Gavin was airborne qualified and this person was not. Rgeards, slava1stclass

coastie, Excellent question. Your vision is 20/20. The two ribbons are used because he's been awarded 10 Silver Stars. The U.S. Army uniform regulation prohibits the wear of more than four devices/appurtenances on a service ribbon. Until a very recent change to the regulation, there was no way to indicate one had been awarded a 10th award of a given decoration. An extra service ribbon was therefore authorized in such instances. The USAF, however, has been using this method for some time. If he would have received an 11th award of the Silver Star, the second ribbon would go away and he would wear the base service ribbon with two silver oak leaf clusters. Regards, slava1stclass