dragos03

An excellent idea. I can cover the Romanian section.

Yes, I have more similar shots. I didn't see you over there. Maybe we'll meet at the next fair in Brasov. I have long hair, maybe you noticed me around.

Double post.

Here are some pics from the Brasov fair:

I only have this medal (the one on the left). It is the Dukla Commemorative Medal, cased and with a document, awarded to a Romanian soldier in 1959. The one on the right is a post-communist Slovak medal, also awarded to a Romanian.

The military career of my grand-grandfather Ilie Deleanu (as Kevin requested by PM): - born in 1886 - 1910 - he graduated the University in Bucharest - 1913 - takes part in the 2nd Balkan War with the 4th Infantry Regiment "Arges" - 1916-1918 - during the First World War, he was the confessor of the 20th Infantry Regiment "Teleorman" - 1925 - promoted to Captain, transferred to 2nd Infantry Regiment "Valcea" - 1934 - promoted to Major and named as confessor of the Constanta garrison and the 34th Inf. Regiment "Constanta" - 1942-1943 - confessor of the 2nd Army Corps, took part in the Battle of Stalingrad - 1943 - promoted to Lt. Colonel, named confessor of the military units in Bucharest-Cotroceni - 1946 - in reserve - he died in 1969 Awards: - 2nd Balkan War victory medal (1913) - Medal of "Reward for church labor", 1st Class (1920) - Inter-allied Victory Medal (1921) - Order of the Crown, knight (1928) - Medal of Cultural Merit, 2nd Class, with ribbon for religion (1941) - his WW2 awards are now lost (except the Crusade against Communism Medal) He also wrote a number of books (poetry and religious books) and built churches in the cities of Zimnicea and Constanta. His veteran papers for 2nd Balkan War and WW1: At the oath ceremony, Constanta garrison, 1938:

The translation: Ministry of war Award Certificate Us, State Minister at the Department of War, confirm that by High Decree no. 3390 from 20 July 1921 His Majesty the King had the kindness to award [military] priest Deleanu Ilie from the 20th Infantry Regiment the "Victory" medal of the great war for civilisation 1916-1921. Signed: Minister of War, Director of personal Award certificate no. 3318, 30 September 1923, Bucharest

Award certificate for the Romanian Victory Medal that beloged to my grand-grandfather (sorry for the poor picture):

Igor, here is the translation of the last 2 documents. The first one authorises him to wear the distinctive lanyards which showed that his unut was awarded the Michael the Brave Order and Military Virtue Cross for bravery during WW1. The second awards him the "2nd Balkan War Victory Medal" for taking part in the victorious campaign against Bulgaria in 1913.

Excellent post Kevin. Please, also post this info on the worldwar2.ro forum. Few people know, even here in Romania, that the Inter-allied Medal of Victory was actually a Romanian idea and design. It was King Ferdinand of Romania who proposed such a medal and even designed the first variant (it had the "victory" on the front and the national coat of arms of each country on the reverse). The allies accepted the idea but not the layout and organised a design competition in Paris. The competition was won by another Romanian, Col. Constantin Cristescu (not "Kristesco"), who proposed almost the same design as the king for the shape and obverse of the medal. Each of the countries could use their own design for the reverse.

The holders of the Order of Michael the Brave had many privileges: they attended official ceremonies in a special sector, they received a plot of land from the state, they could travel by railway, plane or boat for free, free education for their children, etc. The Order could be awarded only to officers. The highest bravery award for lower ranks was the Cross of Military Virtue.

These men are all holders of the Order of Michael the Brave (the highest Romanian order awarded for bravery). They are wearing the special cape and hat of the order. According to the text on the photo, they are at a parade on 10 May 1939 (The Kingdom's Day) in the Cotroceni district of Bucharest.

I have never seen such fake bars. If you encounter them, please take some pics and post them.

Actually the official bar "ITALIA" is missing, since it was probably authorised later than the donation to the museum. I don't think that variations in the shape and style of letters denote fakes. There were probably many manufacturers of the cross and its bars. I also don't think that this award is faked yet. Thank you g_deploige for the excellent close-up of the bars of the cross in the museum.

The other documents are not very relevant. The first one simply confirms that he was awarded the Russian Order of St. Anne, 3rd Class, while the small document confirms that he received the bravery ribbon for his service in WW1. As for his Order of Michael the Brave, he received it by Royal Decree no. 849/11 July 1917, "for the courage with which he led his company during the fierce combat on 11-15 June 1917, when he enveloped the Southern flank of the Manastioara Hill, forcing the enemy to abandon the position and capturing 2 officers, 150 soldiers and many weapons. He showed the same military qualities during the battles of Racoasa and Serei Valley."