Megan

And the 2nd Class (Presidential Medal) badge, also 1967-90 - both it and the 1st Class badge being worn on a sash:

Order of Merit for National Foundation Instituted: 27 April 1949, revised in 1967 and 1990. Awarded: To those individuals who helped to establish the Republic of Korea - not sure why it is STILL awarded, though. Services to the Republic, I suppose! Until the 1990 revision, it was awarded in 3 classes, thereafter 5. Not sure if anything happened to it in 1973 like most orders... Here's the 2nd Class (Presidential Medal) Star, as awarded 1967-90:

Where did you find those? I can feel some more web-searching coming on, then e-mails asking permission to use pictures!

As an aside, in Tangier in 1991 I noticed quite a few police officers had their shirts ironed 'Legionnaire-style' although it clearly was not mandatory. I wonder if they'd served in the Legion and the habit was ingrained... or perhaps it was a subtle way of bragging?

Right - that's the one I have a picture of as well... so I need to change my page to reflect the dates... and then try to find a high-quality picture of the current version (that's the hard part).

Thank you very much. Your advice has already been invaluable.

Very nice, Don. Would you be prepared to permit me to use your images on my site, please?

Order of Military Merit Hwarang (4th Class), version used since 1973:

Inheon (5th Class): At least these two look like they came from the same order! I have also amended my site (and the legends on yesterday's OMSA uploads) to reflect Don's comments - and he's earned himself an acknowledgement on my site for the help... keep it coming, folks!

Order of Military Merit, 1967-73 Hwarang (4th Class):

Thanks for the additional information, Don - will amend the page. It's getting to look like separate pages for 1950-63 and 1963-67 will be necessary! Do you have any pictures of the changed insignia? Or better ones of contemporary insignia than the South Korean government ones that you have used on your site?

Last one for today - my hand hurts! Here is the Inheon (5th Class), which - like the 1st & 2nd class stars - was added to the order in 1963, and awarded in this form until the inevitable revision in 1967. It is interesting how the design is completely different for each class - you'd never guess they were all from the same order if you didn't know!

This is the Hwarang (4th Class), as awarded 1950-67.

Now for the Chungmu (3rd Class), 1950-67 version.

Here is the Eulji (2nd Class) star, awarded 1963-67.

Next, the Eulji (2nd Class) of the 1950-67 vintage. Again, before 1963 this was all you got.

Order of Military Merit Instituted: 18 October 1950 Awarded: To military personnel for outstanding conduct during wartime or in a state of emergency. Here is the Taegeug (1st Class) as awarded 1950-67. Originally this badge was all you got, in 1963 they added a star (of which I do not yet have a picture).

Lorenzo, the insignia I posted belongs to HM Queen Elizabeth of the UK. I was sent the pictures by the master goldsmith who crafted them. He sent me a few others of orders he's made (mostly Malaysian, so they belong in other threads) but says he regrets not having started taking pictures earlier, as he made a lot of things then handed them to whoever ordered them and has no record.

Medal for Participation in Vietnam War

Your wish is my command... Here is the medal for 20 years' long service in the police:

Gwangbok Medal (5th Class), post-1973:

After the inevitable 1973 revamp, the Samil Medal (4th Class) looked like this:

Samil Medal (4th Class), as awarded 1967-73:

Order of National Security Merit Instituted: 1967 Awarded: For distinguished service to national security, in 5 classes. This is the Tongil Medal (1st Class) badge, version awarded before 1973:

Grand Order of Mugunghwa Instituted: 13 August 1949. Awarded: To the President and to foreign heads of state. This is the Collar: