Megan

Wonderful (if distracting when I am working on South Korea!!!!). Regarding the Order of the Star of Sarawak - it was instituted by Brooke on 28 September 1928 in 3 classes (Master, Companion and Officer) + Sovereign and Grand Master. The order was revived by the Sarawak state government after independence on 10 July 1964 and expanded, under the name Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak. Regarding the General Service Medal 1965, the official position is 'may be accepted as a keepsake but should not be worn.' However as virtually everyone entitled is retired, they can wear what they please as they are not subject to Queen's Regulations! So it adorns many a proud chest, I am glad to say.

Reading the regulations, I always thought my dad should have had a Defence Medal along with the rest of his WW2 collection - (1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star and War Medal, plus a US Bronze Star) - but although I had one to hand we decided when he asked me to mount his medals so that he could wear them for Remembrance that as it had not been awarded he would not wear it however much entitled.

The one with the blue & white ribbon is the Cross of Merit of the Armed Forces (Cruz de las Fuerzas Armadas) from Honduras.

Still Order of Industrial Service Merit, this is the Bronze Tower (3rd Class) awarded since 1973:

This is the Iron Tower (4th Class) of the 2nd version of this order, awarded between 1967 and 1973:

Order of Industrial Service Merit Instituted: 29 September 1962. Awarded: To those who have contibuted greatly to the development of industry and the national economy. This is the Bronze Tower (3rd Class), as awarded 1962-67.

Website editors in large organisations generally post what they are given! (I know, I've been one!) Even worse if you are posting in a language which you may not be fluent in... I wrote the first Portuguese-language version of the Compaq website, from translations provided... and I did not speak a word of Portuguese when I started on that project. No idea if the text that went on those pages even made sense, let alone said what Compaq wanted it to. More likely the translator is the one unfamiliar with Royal protocol, Thai-style. Lots of people even those in government get confused on such matters. Back in 1977 when the UK Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee, the task of organising out-of-London ceremonial was farmed out to regional government offices. The Welsh Office was tasked with the official service at Llandaff Cathedral. Now, the church sorted out the actual service, but someone had to write the dress instructions to be sent to the guests. Nobody had a clue... except, my dad happened to be the civil servant in charge of the Welsh Office so he asked me to write them. Buckingham Palace commented it was the only set of instructions which did not need correcting!!

Sports Merit Medal Presumably created the same time as the Order, and awarded for much the same...

Order of Sports Merit Instituted: 25 January 1973 (so at least there's only one variety!!!). Awarded: In recognition of outstanding sporting achievement, in 5 grades. The only picture I have yet, and apologies for its low quality, is the Baegma Medal (4th Class):

Interesting. As I am in the middle of the South Korean section of my website right now, please pop over and proffer any suggestions you may have - it will be most appreciated!

The Mogryeon Medal (4th Class), post-1973, again on an 'officer' type ribbon: (These will also be uploaded to OMSA but later, dearly beloved has started drinking my beer!)

Now the current version, a Dongbaeg Medal (3rd Class), post-1973, on neck ribbon as befits a 'Commander' grade:

Moving on, Mogryeon Medal (4th Class) from the 1967-73 period - with a more conventional 'officer' style ribbon rosette:

Mogryeon Medal (4th Class), 1951-67 version: It looks like at least classes 2 and below were chest-medals, I am told that a 1st type 1st class star has been seen, however.

Dongbaeg Medal (3rd Class), 1951-67: (Don't ask about the ribbon - this is how the picture came! Am inquiring...)

Order of Civil Merit Instituted: 22 December 1951 Awarded: To civilian employees of the government and the military for outstanding service, in 5 grades. To start with the first type, here's the Moran Medal (2nd Class), as awarded 1951-67:

Well, Hugh, it appears that virtually ALL South Korean orders exist in THREE types - 1950-67, 1967-73 and 1973 to the present day. The 1967-73 versions are particularly hard to get hold of, but all of them are quite rare as it is illegal to sell what the government gives you. Given the contents of my mailbox this morning, the relevant section of my website is going to grow fairly rapidly (copies to here & OMSA of course!). More anon....

This is the 5th Class badge of the 1st design, 1963-67.

Now for the first type of the order, awarded 1963-67. Here is the 1st Class star:

Rattling cages? More information has come to light - the pictures above are the 2nd Type of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, which was revised in 1967. (And again in 1973, but they just added an extra grade rather than change the design yet again!). Here is the Chang-Eui Medal (or 5th Class) post-1967:

And here is the Star of the Grand Gwanghwa Medal (1st Class):

Order of Diplomatic Service Merit Instituted: 25 July 1963. Awarded: For meritorious service to the extension of national prestige overseas and to the promotion of friendship with other nations, in 6 grades. Here is the Badge of Grand Gwanghwa Medal (1st Class):

Thanks to Hugh's generousity (not to mention others who have contributed in the past) I have spent the past couple of days updating my Indonesia section!

More, more...

Welcome to GMIC, Kirill. And a very nice picture, too!