Bob Hunter

From the League of The Two Rickies an interesting specimen. Fairly ordinary until the end when up jumps a Silver Medal to the Reuss House Order on a statute ribbon.

It depends on the angle of the light. The weave in the gray band is such that the high points give off a near metallic reflection but I can't say there is a silver thread in there anywhere. Pawzon available at your request.

Rick, here is my feeble attempt at enlarging the "mysterious three."

Gerd, this is the sequence of ribbons on the bar; Red Eagle w/ large crown device (3/4 class) Prussian Long Service (assuming 25 year cross) Centennial Meda Hessian Order of Phillip the Brave Sax-Ernestine House Order Sax-Weimar White Falcon Order Waldeck House Order Unknown-Romanian Order of Michael or Star Order? Unknown-no clue Unknown-Italian Order of Saints Mauritius and Lazarus or Swedish Vasa Order (I understand they used the same ribbon) Rick, I'll have an enlargement for you as soon as I replace a couple of vacuum tubes in my scanner.

I am fond of his use of artistic license in the placement of sword devices...

...and t'other side.

OK, gentlemen, what we have here is a very impressive 11X bar in the pre-1915 style and all ribbons are identifiable except for the last three on the bar. The third from last ribbon appears to be Romanian---Order of Michael? Star Order? The next to last ribbon--no clue. The last ribbon is believed to be the Italian Order of Saints Mauritius and Lazarus or the Swedish Vasa Order as both use the same ribbon. Having said that it may be impossible to nail the last ribbon down.

...and I did!

Thanks, I will!

Very interesting artifacts. Thanks.

What is the title and ISBN for the VH&S work?

That is definitely a "gotcha!" I missed that.

Is that the photo that gave rise to the exppression "dripping with decorations?" Thanks Rick.

Rick, I didn't have one specifically in mind.

Good question, Don! Wild Card, thanks for getting the answer started.

I will amend my statement to read "...native speaker or anyone more proficient in the language than myself."

With battery power it would be the perfect commuter vehicle!

...I guess the blindfold and bananas in the toilet are passe'?

What references would be appropriate for researching the creation date of a specific award?

The tall trapezoid style of mounting I have heard referred to as pre-1915 yet the style persisted for at least another decade. Were there any regulations regarding style of mounting and height of the bar?

Looking carefully there is a lot of .50cal, 20mm and 40mm damage that was never really visable when the boat was outside. We were in town four days to visit UC, DePaul and Northwestern. Went to MSI twice, once on the Sunday when it hit 104 and the following day since all the internal boat tours had been sold for Sunday. The line looked like a rock concert or a free beer giveaway!

My son and I viewed the display last week and MSI has done a magnificent job especially with the peripheral displays leading to and away from the boat itself. I didn't notice the SA Sports Badge but I was surprised that no U-Boat badges were recovered from the boat. The three on display are on loan from other collections. However a bronze U-Boat Frontspange belonging to Captain Lange was recovered by a member of the boarding party and is on display.

...ahhhhhh, the degredation and humiliation one must endure to progress in this hobby is truly crushing...

A deeply moving and remarkable account. I believe you have honored their act and their memory and those of us who read and reflect on it honor their valor and compassion as human beings. Thanks for sharing.

This thread is a fun read please keep it going.