Hugh

"Dulce et decorum..." It is sweet and appropriate to die for one's country.

Nice input, FireMedals! While CSC is indeed the abbreviation for Chief Commissary Steward, it appears irrevalent to this inscription. Unusual not to mention the man's rate / rating, at least in later days.

I'll let others reply to the Great White Fleet question, but your man is a Commisryman (known in those days as a Commissary Steward, or informally as a stewburner). He's a Chief Petty Officer (E-7).

It's the Order of the Pillars of State or Chu Kuo Chang, instituted by Imperial Edict 142 dated 14 September 1936 . Can't tell from the picture, but it looks as though it's all silver which would make it 6th - 8th Class. Specific class is distinguished by three, two or one silver bars on the ribbon, which appear to be missing. Otherwise, looks reasonably credible to me.

Megan, You're a treasure! Hugh

Looks like warlord stuff to me. Early 20th century.

Thanks for the supplement, Jeff. I couldn't remember the date, and my book is almost all in Thai. Hugh

By he way, ribbon is correct.

Thailand - Coronation Medal - Should be silver. Hugh

Nice change, probably overdue.

Thanks, Geoff, Any data on possible similar changes to DSC, DSO, DFC, AFC?

The following article from BBC discusses award of the MC to other ranks. I was unaware that criteria had been expanded from the officers-only approach. When did this happen. Is it also true for the DSC, DSO, DFC, AFC? And what does that mean for the MM? Best, Hugh Gallantry medals for Scots troops Donald Campbell helped shore up a ditch under heavy fireA Scottish soldier is to receive the second highest award for gallantry for his actions in Afghanistan. L/Cpl Donald Campbell from South Uist drove a tractor into an enemy zone while under fire to shore up a ditch, allowing his colleagues to cross. He will be awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his bravery. Lance Bombardier Michael Frew, from Dundee, will also be honoured with a Military Cross after saving the lives of his fellow troops in Afghanistan. The 26-year-old father-of-two sprinted across a bridge, which the Army described as a "killing zone," to take on the enemy and allow his team to pass. L/Cpl Campbell, 26, from the Royal Engineers said: "I was very shocked and very surprised at the award and still am. "I come from the island of South Uist and when I phoned my mum, I don't think she really knew what it was about. "I was driving a front-loader, a big civilian tractor with a load of fascines in the bucket and I drove forward under fire to the ditch, but before I could unload, I had to jump out and cut the bindings, the Taliban were shooting, then I had to get back under cover. "At the time I knew that it was something that had to be done and I just thought that it was a good idea." Michael Frew ran across a bridge to hold the enemy back Lance Bombardier Frew said he was shocked when he heard about the award but was looking forward to receiving it from the Queen later in the year. "I had no idea why the Commanding Officer had called me in," he said. "I was very surprised and was not expecting it. "My parents were really chuffed when I told them about the award, they said well done. My wife Victoria was really pleased as well." Bombardier Paul Greenwood, who is a colleague of Lance Bombardier Frew in the Highland Gunners, will also be receiving a Military Cross. He ran through a torrent of enemy fire to collect essential ammunition while he was supporting the Afghan National Army.

With the greatest respect to Rick, I don't think this is the national emblem of Ecuador, Colombia or Venezuela, and I don't recognize it as belonging to Brazil, Peru or Argentina. I specifically said national emblem, as it might be a service specific emblem. In any case, looks like naval aviation. Hugh

"Nobody would care"? Au contraire, mon ami, at least one of us would be very interested in good documentation on Italian medals from Risorgimento up to the present. It would also be helpful, in view of the plethora of unofficial / semiofficial stuff, to have guidance on which were authorized for wear on the uniform. And then, if you're feeling especially industrious, you could go back before unification to the different states. Best, Hugh

We mustn't forget the Montenegrin award to Jay Gatsby, courtesy of F. Scott Fitzgerald! Best, Hugh

Hope you'll put your article in JOMSA.

Just for clarification, Ed, I assume the badge was worn on mufti, and NOT on the uniform? Best, Hugh

I don't have a specific address or name, but if he walks out the main gate at Yongsan, down past the War Museum, there will be 3 - 4 shops on that side of the street, and 1 or 2 across the street and up the side street. Unless he speaks Korean, he'd do well to speak an interpreter with him. It might help if he went in uniform. I'm a retired O-6, and went in with a ROK Army colonel (both in civvies), and they didn't want to hear from us. No specific requests from me, but I'd be curious to see whether they can get access to full size medals. Best, Hugh

Some other suggestions: First three all by Byron Farwell: 1. Queen Victoria's Little Wars 2. Eminent Victorian Soldiers 3. Mr. Kipling's Army 4. Old Soldier Sahib - Private Frank Richards 5. Soldier Sahibs - Charles Allen and so many others.

So, just to press the point, is the Manchuguo flag similar to or identical to the ROC # 1 flag? Hugh

Didn't China itself have a similar flag before The Big One? Maybe before 1911 and the KMT takeover? Hugh

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but the shape of the cap looks to me like a Brigade of Guards cap, not an artilleryman. Also the sharply angled brim. Any thoughts? Hugh

Whoops, bonehead mistake ! Of course the red ribbon is the Navy Good Conduct Medal. Although I never got one, God knows I've seen enough of them. With respect to the points on the stars, I'm sure Jeff is right, but we all know how careless the tailors are, and the stars had a nasty way of rotating after you'd worn them for a while. Bottom line - Prize goes to Rick and the Ulsterman.

It all looks kosher and in the proper order except for the first all-red ribbon, which could be FR Legion of Honor among many others. But an American would never wear it first.