Megan

In the British Army I've had people asking me where in their rack they ought to put a medal they've just been awarded, or even which way round an asymmetrical one goes... these being people senior to me by both rank and length of service! And we HAVE established and accessible orders of precedence. Anyhow, for the Orders & Federation medals I'm going for the sequence as shown at http://award.adm.gov.ru/... and as for the rest, pretty much as you have it on Wikipedia. If they cannot be bothered to establish their own order of precedence, we'll make a de facto one... they'll probably pinch it, file the serial numbers off and use it as their own eventually!

Medal of Honour for Customs Don't know much about this, except it comes in 3 classes. Here's the 3rd Class:

I doubt if there is an overarching one... you know the precedence for the official Federation ODM, and then use the precedence as given for each Ministry, etc.;... but as for which Ministry or Department comes first, anyone's guess. These bureaucrats never imagine that someone might have dealings, and hence receive awards, from more than one Ministry/Department, so the poor dear is on his own when pinning on his rack!

Order of Agricultural Merit Instituted: 16 April 1964. Awarded: For distinguished contributions to agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry. Grades: 3 (Commander, Officer and Knight). Here is the Commander: -

And the Reverse:

Knight, Obverse:

Order of Merit of National Education Instituted: 16 January 1962. Awarded: For distinguished service to the Ministry of Education or significant services in the field of education. Grades: 3 (Commander, Officer and Knight). Officer:

Order of Cultural Merit Awarded in 3 classes - Commander, Officer & Knight - but I have no dates or terms of award. Here's the Officer:

Knight, Reverse:

Knight, Obverse:

Commander, Reverse:

Order of Sport Merit Instituted: 3 September 1968 in 3 grades (Commander, Officer & Knight). Commander, Obverse:

Silver Star of National Merit Instituted: 31 May 1963. Awarded: With 'Bee' distiction for good and loyal service rendered with efficiency, devotion, creative initiative and zeal in the field of politics, administration, economic, social, artistic or military service for at least five years; or with 'Lion' distinction for particularly meritorious service in any of the above mentioned fields. This is the 'Lion' version:

Reverse:

Commemorative Medal for Campaign Instituted: 25 September 1974. Awarded: For service in war, or in an area designated a war zone. Obverse:

Reverse:

Cross of Military Valour Instituted: 25 September 1974. Awarded: For valour during a military operation or in the presevation of public order. Obverse:

Order of Agricultural Merit Instituted: 31 August 1973. Awarded: In recognition of distinguished contributions in the field of agriculture. Grades: 3 (Commander, Officer and Knight). This is the Knight:

Military Merit Medal Instituted: 25 September 1974. Awarded: To enlisted ranks for 15 years' meritorious service and distinction in combat, and to all receiving one or more wounds in combat.

Officer:

National Order Instituted: 31 May 1963. Awarded: In recognition of exceptional service to the state. Grades: 5 (Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight). Here is the Commander:

Thank you, Emmanuel... for those of you who don't know, Emmanuel is the source of many of the more unusual and beautiful items that grace my website, and are shared here too. Keep 'em coming, wonderful and generous soul that you are!

Officer:

Grand Commander Star: