W McSwiggan

Wow - you are correct sir! Rick has an excuse - he didn't see - I on the otherhand have no excuse. A bit of a game changer methinks - total of around 60 for combined Commander 1. & 2. Can't wait to tell Rickster! He'll go nuts!

Just got off the phone with Rick Research. His reactions were: 1. Stop with the Göring stuff – definitely not him. 2. Has anyone ever seen a chain with a Pour le Mérite before? 3. Order of the awards is bizarre – highest awards on either end with lowers together in middle. 4. Given the chain at face value – he postulates that the original owner was a Prussian captain. 5. Discounted the possibility that the Fredrich's Order was higher than Knight's 1st Class for many reasons. 6. Discounted the possibility of owner being a General Staffer - suspects a captain in a Prussian Infantry Regiment. He will do some digging but is very pessimistic that anyone will be able to name this chain.

Not sure I get the connection between Göring’s looted decorations and this chain but… Definitely NOT Göring’s. Again, per O’Connor, Volume II page 234 – Göring’s awards were: Orden Pour le Mérite Prussia Royal Hohenzollern House Order, Knight’s Cross with Swords – Prussia Iron Cross I & II Class – Prussia Military Karl-Friedrich Merit Order – Baden Order of the Zäringer Lion, Knight 2nd Class – Baden Pilot’s Badge Observer’s Badge Wound Badge in Black No Württemberg Fredrich Order was awarded to Göring

Very nice chain! Problem in identification includes: Württemberg rolls are crazy (per Rick Research)! This chain is likely a “fashion statement” – not all awards – just the one’s that the wearer found significant. Württemberg fielded a full corps of regulars alone. The Frederick order with swords was rather liberally granted – even in the Knight’s First Class grade – 1,766 per O’Connor. Also per O’Connor – Hermann Köhl was the only known aviator who was a native Württemberger to win the Pour le Mérite. His awards were: Pour le Mérite, Knight’s Cross of Royal Hohenzollern House Order with Swords, Knight 2nd Class of the Order of the Württemberg Crown with Swords, Knight’s Cross of the Württemberg Military Merit Order, Knight’s Cross 1st Class of the Württemberg Frederich’s Order, Austrian Military Merit Cross 3rd Class, Iron Cross 1st & 2nd Class, Wound Badge (Black) and the Observer’s Badge. Clearly – even if this was Kohl’s chain – it is hard to fathom why he would select the awards shown on this chain over the other’s to which he was entitled. Conclusion – not Köhl. Per Hamelman, I count 11 Pour le Mérite awards to Württemberg units – 1 to XIII Corps, 3 to the 26th Infantry Division, 3 to Infantry Regiments, 3 to Mountain Battalion & Regiment and one to the 26th Reserve Division. Done in haste but if I’ve erred, it is on the high side. Pour le Mérite Awards to non-Prussians who were not generals, aviators, surface commerce raiders or submariners were exceedingly rare. They almost automatically were accompanied by the top award from the affiliated prince. I can only guess that the owner of this chain was not a Württemberger or a member of one of that kingdom’s formations. When I speak next with Rick Research, I will ask but I am very pessimistic about identifying the owner.

Glad you liked it - my pleasure. Please see post ahead of this listing error I made - will correct soon - D Companies of 101, 158, 227 & 229 Assault Helicopter Battalions were Aeroweapons not Assault Helicopter -I am at a loss to explain my error as I knew this very well - only picked it up upon rereading today! Arrrrgh! Original has been corrected.

Thanks for the kind words. My worst nightmare is proliferating bad information and I did just that! For reasons I do not understand - I knew better - the first 4 companies listed - D/101, D/158, D/227 & D/229 were listed under the Assault Helicopter Company heading - WRONG! They were Divisional Aeroweapons Companies as part of the two Airmobile Divisions. I will correct the file - repost and beg some moderator with superhuman powers to delete the first and replace with the second. Hope to do this tomorrow - mea culpa... Was able to correct myself - posting now reflects information as intended.

Several years ago I said I would post the US Army units that operated AH-1G Cobras in Vietnam. I had obtained a primary resource and thought this would be a small task – silly boy! The database was a mess with double entries and inconsistent key words. And a data dump was not available – hence much pain. That said, I’ve finally completed (subject to the possibility of error) the task. What follows is an abridged result of the work to help those interested when reading histories of this conflict. There were four types of company sized units operating this aircraft: Assault Helicopter Companies (AHC), Aeroweapons Companies (AWC), Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARA) Batteries (later redesignated Aerial Field Artillery) and Air Cavalry Troops (ACT). Normally AHCs with Cobras – not all were transitioned – were authorized 6 Cobras in addition to other aircraft. The compliment for AWCs was either 24 or 12 (6 at 12 and 2 at 24) and all were ultimately equipped with the aircraft. All AFA Batteries had 12 Cobras authorized. All ACTs except one had an authorized compliment of 9 Cobras, 10 Scouts and 8 UH-1s. One provisional troop, E/2-17 Cav never operated the Cobra. There were exceptions and I will note them as I go. Please note many of these units initially operated UH-1B & UH-1C gunships early in their tours until transitioning in-country. The first Cobras arrived in-country in August 1967 with 6 Cobras for the New Equipment Training Team (NETT) and 6 for the first unit to transition (334 AHC – later AWC). In some cases the units were migratory and I’ve chosen to list higher headquarters and tactical zones representing the most typical case. A note on annotations – the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS) in force during this time frame used the dash to indicate a unit designation and a slash to indicate command relationships; hence F-9 Cav was a Cavalry troop drawing lineage from the 9th Regiment of Cavalry. F-9/12th Combat Aviation Group (CAG) indicates the command relationship where 12 CAG directed operations for the troop. 7-1 Cav was a Cavalry squadron deriving lineage from the 1st Regiment. 7-1 Cav/164 CAG indicates the higher command headquarters for the squadron as 164th CAG. At this time only Cavalry maintained SOME actual regiments – the 11th was one and was deployed to Vietnam. ACT/11th Cav therefore was the Air Troop reporting directly to the Regimental Headquarters. AHC B Company, 1st Aviation Battalion, 1st Infantry Division operating in III Corps Tactical Zone (CTZ) under control of II Field Force (FF). See note 1. B Company, 4th Aviation Battalion, 4th Infantry Division operating in II CTZ under control of I FF. B Company, 9th Aviation Battalion, 9th Infantry Division operating in III CTZ under control of II FF. B Company, 25th Aviation Battalion, 25th Infantry Division operating in III CTZ under control of II FF. B Company, 123rd Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division, XXIV Corps operating in I CTZ under control of III MAF. See note 2. 48th AHC, 223rd Combat Aviation Battalion (CAB), 11 CAG, 1st Aviation Brigade (AB) operating in I CTZ under operational control of FRAC. Later reporting directly to 11 CAG 57th AHC, 52nd CAB, 17 CAG, 1st AB operating in I CTZ under operational control of SRAC. Later reporting directly to 17 CAG. 60th AHC, 10th CAB, 17 CAG, 1st AB operating in I CTZ under operational control of SRAC. Later reporting directly to 17 CAG. See note 3. 114th AHC, 214th CAB, 164th CAG, 1st AB operating in IV CTZ under operational control of DRAC. 129th AHC, 7th squadron 17th Cavalry, 17th CAB, 1st AB operating in II CTZ under operational control of I FF. Later reporting directly to 17 CAG. 173rd AHC, 11th CAB, 12th CAG, 1st AB operating in III CTZ under operational control of II FF. Later reassigned to 11 CAG in I CTZ. 175th AHC, 214th CAB, 164 CAG, 1st AB operating in IV CTZ. See note 4. 187th AHC, 269th then 11th CAB, 12th CAG, 1st AB operating in III CTZ under II FF and later TRAC. AWC D Company, 101 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 101 Aviation Group (CAG), 101 Airborne Division (Airmobile), XXIV Corps operating in I Corps Tactical Zone (CTZ) under control of III Marine Amphibious Force (MAF). See note 1. D Company, 158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 101 CAG, 101 Airborne Division (Airmobile), XXIV Corps operating in I CTZ under control of III MAF. D Company, 227 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 11 CAG, 1 Cavalry Division (Airmobile), operating in III CTZ under control of II Field Force (FF). See note 5. D Company, 229 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 11 CAG, 1 Cavalry Division (Airmobile), operating in III CTZ under control of II FF. See Note 6. 235th, 307 CAB, 164 CAG, 1st AB operating in IV CTZ. This unit was authorized 24 Cobras. 238th, 268 CAB, 17 CAG, 1st AB operating in eastern II CTZ under operational control of I FF. 334th, 145th CAB, 12th CAG, 1st AB operating in III CTZ under operational control of II FF. Later reporting directly to 12th CAG. 361st, 52nd CAB, 17th CAG, 1st AB operating in II CTZ under operational control of I FF. Later reporting directly to 17 CAG. See note 7. ARA 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery (Aerial Field Artillery), 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), II FF. This battalion operated 3 Batteries of 12 Cobras each. 4th Battalion, 77th Field Artillery (Aerial Field Artillery), 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), XXIV Corps. This battalion operated 3 Batteries of 12 Cobras each. F Battery, 79th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade (Separate), 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) operating in III CTZ under operational control of TRAC. See note 8. ACT D Troop, 1st Squadron (Battalion equivalent), 1st Cavalry attached to 23rd Inf. Div. (Americal), XXIV Corps operating in I CTZ. Unless a squadron was an air squadron, it would be comprised of 3 armored cavalry troops and one air troop (D Troop). See note 9.1-1* D/2-1 Cav. attached to 4th Inf. Div. operating in II CTZ. See note 10. 7-1 Cav., 164 CAG – air cavalry squadron operating in IV CTZ under operational control of II FF. Air Squadrons were organized with 3 troops of air (A,B,C) and one troop of light ground cavalry (D). D/1-4 Cav, 1st Inf. Div., operating in III CTZ under operational control of II FF. D/3-4 Cav. 25th Inf. Div., operating in III CTZ under operational control of II FF. F Troop, 4th Cavalry (F-4), 12th CAG – later 11th CAG operating in III CTZ under control of TRAC then FRAC. See note 11. D/3-5 Cav, 9th Inf. Div. operating in IV CTZ under operational control of II FF. Temporarily redesignated D-17 for a very short time then disbanded upon departure of the division. F-8 Cav, 23 Inf. Div. (Americal), XXIV Corps operating in I CTZ. This troop was raised by redesignating C/7-17 as F-8. C/7-17 was reconstituted as soon as possible to fill the squadron. C/7-17 was used again in this manner when the squadron departed and H-10 was raised. Upon departure of Division, F-8 was assigned sequentially to 196th Inf. Bde and 11th CAG in I CTZ and finally to 12th CAG in III CTZ to end of hostilities. 1-9, 1st Cav. Div. – air cav squadron operating in III CTZ under operational control of II FF. See note 12. F-9 (sometimes unofficially known as H-16), 229th AHB, 3rd Bde (Sep), 1st Cav (Airmobile) operating in III CTZ under operational control of TRAC. Later assigned to Task Force Gary Owen on departure of brigade and finally 12th CAG – all in III CTZ. See note 13. D/1-10 Cav, 4th Inf. Div operating in II CTZ under operational control of I FF. H-10, 17th CAG operation in II CTZ under operational control of SRAC. See note 14. Air Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment operating in III CTZ under operational control of II FF then TRAC. See note 15. C-16, 164th CAG operating in IV CTZ under operational control of TRAC. See note 16. 2-17, 101 Airborne Division (Airmobile), XXIV Corps operating in I CTZ. See note 17. 3-17, 12th CAG (opcon to 9th Cav Bde for a period) per note 12 operating in III CTZ under tactical control of II FF. See note 18. D-17, 11 CAG operating in I CTZ under operational control of FRAC. See note 19. 7-17, 17th CAG operating in II CTZ under the operational control of I FF. H-17, 17th CAG operating in II CTZ under the operational control of SRAC. See note 20. D/229 as earlier noted – this AWC was reconfigured to an Air Cavalry Troop structure to serve with the 1-9 Cav as provisional F/1-9 then with the 229th AHB as “D Troop, 229” as part of the 3rd Brigade (Sep) of the 1st Cavalry Division. Notes: 1. III MAF was a corps sized headquarters responsible for tactical control of Marine Corps assets in theater in the 1st CTZ. III MAF was given the additional responsibility of controlling XXIV Corps (controlling 23 Div (Americal), 101 Airborne Division (Airmobile) and the 1st Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division) effectively rendering III MAF a field army. I & II Field Force (FF) were Corps equivalent headquarters. I FF exercised tactical control of II CTZ and II FF controlled both III & IV CTZ. 2. B/123 was unofficially designated “Aeroscout” and followed a nominal ACT organization and mission having 10 authorized Cobras. 3. The 60th AHC was raised using the assets of the departing C Company, 227th AHB, 11th CAG of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 238th AWC in August 1971 using Cobras throughout its existence. 4. 175th AHC – information related to this company is somewhat questionable. Unable to verify with multiple primary sources. 5. The 11th CAG remained in-country after the departure of the 1st Cavalry Division in March & April, 1971. The unit was transferred to the 1st Aviation Brigade and relocated to the I CTZ to control aviation resources in that area. It was there subordinated to the First Regional Assistance Command (FRAC) which controlled that zone during the latter phase of the war. Comparable Commands were established in II CTZ – Second Regional Assistance Command (SRAC), III CTZ – Third Regional Assistance Command (TRAC) and IV CTZ – Delta Regional Assistance Command (DRAC). 6. D/229 remained in country after the departure of the 1st Cavalry Division. The 229th AHB was assigned to the 3rd Brigade (Separate) of the 1st Cavalry. During the period ending in the Company’s and Battalion’s departure, the Company was restructures as an Air Cavalry Troop and referred to as D Troop, 229th. 7. 361st AWC mission was support of clandestine cross-border operations in Laos & Cambodia in consort with MAC-SOG & Vietnamese forces. 8. Raised from the assets of departing C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 20th AFA. 9. 1-1 Cavalry was a 1st Armored Division asset attached but not assigned to the Americal Division. Due to its status members of the squadron were entitled to wear the 1st AD unit insignia. 10. 2-1 Cavalry was a 2nd Armored Division asset attached but not assigned to the 4th Division. Due to its status members of the squadron were entitled to wear the 2nd AD unit insignia. 11. F-4 (Air) Cav raised from the assets of D/3-4 Cav upon departure of the 25th Inf. Div. 12. 1-9 Cav added two provisional troops – E/1-9 formed from assets of D/227 and F/1-9 formed from assets of D/229 to augment the division’s reconnaissance assets. The division drew necessary scouts and infantry to from other divisional units. During this same period the division also formed a provisional air cavalry brigade (9th) consisting of this squadron and the attachment of the 3-17 Cav plus other assets from 9/70 to 6/71 (squadron departure date) 13. F-9 raised from assets of B/1-9 upon departure of the 1st Cavalry Division. 14. H-10 raised from assets of C/7-17 Cav upon departure of the squadron. 15. The 11th Armored Cavalry was the only regiment – only cavalry operated in regiments as a corps asset – in Vietnam. The regiment consisted of 1st, 2nd & 3rd Squadrons each consisting of 3 armored cavalry troops, one tank company referred to as a troop and a howitzer battery. The Regiment also had one troop of air cavalry assigned simply designated Air Troop, 11th Cavalry. 16. C-16 was raised from assets of D/1-4 Cav upon departure of the 1st Inf. Div. 17. In February & March, 1971 the squadron formed a provisional air troop (E/2-17). This troop did not operate Cobras as there were none readily available so it used UH-1C gunships. 18. 3-17 operated OH-58 helicopters as scouts in lieu of the OH-6. 3-17 had 334 AWC attached for Dec. 70 through Jan. 71 and referred to this company unofficially as E Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry. The organization of the company was no changed and it resumed its former mission upon relief from attachment. 19. D-17 – originally the designation for an Armored Cav Troop organic to the 199th Infantry Brigade. Unit stood down in Oct 70. Raised for second time from assets of D/3-5 Cav as an Air Troop for a brief time and disbanded again. Raised for a third and final time from assets of D/1-1 Cav and assigned to the 11th CAG for operations in I CTZ under operational control of FRAC. 20. H-17 raised from assets of B/7-17 and assigned to 17th CAG in II CTZ under control of SRAC.

Two thoughts - First - this award mirrors the fact that all other services (unless you take exception due to the Navy Cross going to Marines - perhaps departments would be a better choice of words) have a unique award at this level. Coast Guard has always been somewhat of a "poor cousin" amongst the Armed Forces" and this may be partly a matter of addressing that. Second - when operating under the control of Homeland Security - how are acts of exceptional heroism in the face of an armed enemy to be recognized? I think the second point may have been the real motivation. Interesting point on the exclusion of the Air Medal and Bronze Star Medal. Hard to understand unless they have been addressed by other legislation or... their "on/off switch" is similiar to the other services and authorization is already in place.

Wow! Hard to dispute photographic evidence! I stand corrected and apologize to all for any confusion I created. This is the first case I've seen of wartime wear of the MMJO on the medal bar by a Bavarian! In hopes of defending my somewhat tarnished credibility - my source for the statement I made relative to Bavarians war time wear of the knight's cross of the MMJO was O'Connor, Volume I, page 9. I may have messed this one up but at least I am in good company! Thanks for the clarification & regards! wem

References not currently in hand so I can not quote date but - yes - his award was both posthumous and post-war. Bavaria continued to make awards after the war but always referenced an "official" date that reflected "the" or at least "a" notable action that justified the award. While there were post-war awards of the EK I & II - I am not aware of any other Prussian awards granted after the abdication. Of the other major states (by my reckoning only - those that fielded at least one pre-war regular corps - Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, Wurttemberg & Baden) - these were the only post-war significant awards. As I recall - the Duke of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha - a card carrying NAZI - made awards of the Saxe-Ernestine House Order and I think awards from Lippe were made as well but again - they were not comparable to the "top five". Perhaps someone can hop in here with more definitive information.

Well - let's put it this way - it was the knight's cross and Bavarians did not wear it from the medal bar during WWI.. The MMJO was worn alone from the button hole. Those from other kingdoms, grand duchies, duchies, etc wore the knight's cross from the medal bar but not Bvrarians as stated. The commander's cross was worn at the throat but I know of only one company grade officer who was awarded this cross and as I recall - it was posthumous. One pilot (a captain) was recommended for the commander's cross but was KIA before the award was granted so it was revoked.

Per O’Connor, Volume II, page 239: Oberleutnant Fritz Ritter von Röth known awards – Orden Pour le Mérite – Prussia Military Max Joseph Order – Bavaria Military Merit Order, 4th Class with Swords – Bavaria Royal Hohenzollern House Order, Knight’s Cross with Swords – Prussia Iron Cross 1st & 2nd Class – Prussia Pilot’s Badge - Bavaria

Thanks for posting that information Dave - it was a very nice "round out" & I enjoyed reading it. Given the sizes of the lesser states - these are the very prestigious and significant awards and worthy of comparison with the analogs of Prussia. Nice to see it presented so well. Wayne

Saxony maintained a number of orders: (World War I Orders) The House Order of the Rue Crown - single class The Military St. Henry Order - 4 classes - Grand Cross, Commander 1. Class, Commander 2. Class and Knight's Cross The Merit Order (Civil & with Swords for Military) - Grand Cross, Commander 1. Class, Commander 2. Class and Knight 1. Class & Knight 2. Class The Albert Order - 10 grades - 4 of Grand Cross, 2 of Commander, Officer's Cross & 2 of Knight Two "Damen" orders - not applicable to your question. Per your question - the Saxon equivalent to the MMJO is the Military St. Henry. Both were the highest exclusively military order. While the Merit & Albert Orders in their higher grades were almost exclusively for generals, clearly the Military St. Henry was the most prestigious. Max Immelmann won the Commander 2. Class and per O'Connor - personally considered it superior to his Pour le Merite. The Grand Cross (excluding Ludendorff & Hindenburg) went solely to "royals" during the war. 14 awards of the Commander 1. Class were made hence making it and the Commander 2. Class (153 awards) the equivalent you seek in my opinion.

I know of no suitable website and frankly - would be hard pressed to get all of the lyrics right at this point. As to performing the ditties - given that my only vocal talent is volume - the whole thing is probably best left to the imagination... If this tickled a fond memory then I'm glad for that. I know that I personally reflect, on occasion back to the outrageous antics that went on in our troop's Quonset hut "Officer's Club". Never fails to make me laugh. One such moment involved a gunship driving Warrent urinating on a visiting Field Artillery Colonel's leg... all was well when the CO explained that that meant he liked the colonel! Don't tell Irish Gunner!!! I fear that this could amount to hijacking the thread so I will stop. Cheers!

When I first saw this thread, several "poems" came to mind – all learned in the riotous & ribald environment of post operations bar room gatherings of air cavalry pilots in Vietnam. They are politically incorrect, crass and profane. I have decided that they are not fit for a "gentleman’s" forum however a little tease never hurt anyone and may bring a smile or two to the faces of my brothers & sisters. They are (first lines or titles depending on what my memory recalls): "Hear that popping of the rotor blades – it’s the old 1st Cav. in a retrograde; we’re burning gas; we’re hauling a$$; and we’re moving on" "Drink a little bit; f**k a little bit; follow the cav; follow the cavalry; my father’s a colonel; a colonel is he; a very fine colonel is he; all day he screws off; he screws off; he screws off; at night he comes home and…" "Throw some candy to the children" Your memories or imaginations will need to fill in the blanks…

Not that anyone has asked but... I don't like it. I am a combat veteran. I do not have a Purple Heart and I do not want one. (Not to imply that I disrespect this award because I hold it in high regard). I am a disabled veteran. My disability is related to my combat experience and is not PTSD. PTSD ruined my best friend's life following Vietnam. I am a retiree of the US Army (28 years but who's counting). I know of people (by their own admission) who have been coached as to what to say to the Veterans' Administration in order to be compensated for PTSD. VA compensation for disabilities related to PTSD should suffice. The Purple Heart should be sustained as an award for combat wounds. If the Armed Forces begin awards for PTSD they will be (without necessary expertise in my opinion) making eligibility determinations for the VA - a really bad idea. As it is, the VA is subjuct to fraudulent claims for PTSD and this will not help. Let the VA do its job to the best of its ability and where compensation is awarded, that is symbolic of a grateful nation. We need not sully a proud decoration and its recipients with this proposal. Two cents for what it is worth.

Correction - there was a 112th and they did have affiliation with the 1st Cav but not during Vietnam. They were a National Guard Cavalry regiment and their lineage is now carried by the 112th Armor of the National Guard.

For the sake of accuracy - Co A 1st BN 112th Cav is incorrect - it should be Co A, 1st BN, 12th Cavalry. If there ever was a 112th Regiment (I doubt there was) - it had no elements assigned or attached to the First Team during Vietnam.

Good to "eHear" from you even if only a tease! When you do get back on we'll have to have an "eParty"!

Actually - sarcasm aside (note - I'm Army so have no great expertise on Air Force but - I suspect the comparisons will hold) - this is crazy. Brownie points for promotion is irrevelant at least for officers. If you choose Infantry - Armor or Field Artillery in the Army - career potential is limitless. If you choose Finance or Chemical - Colonel is probably the max. Within these fields - apples are compared to apples - combat arms officers are largely competing with each other as are combat service support. I suspect the same holds true for the boys in sky blue. Top dogs will be the top guns - drone manipulators will be competing against each other and will likely see a lower ceiling (pun again) than the aircraft drivers. To my mind - this fact removes the need for more medals - if the high flying dronies (oxymoron) see non-combat awards only then the DSM & Legion of Merit are the calling cards for advancement - not "I'm special" awards. The US Armed Forces have already proliferated ODM to a ridiculous level - it's time to stop or these things will only generate more cynicism than they already have (lots).

Please put my name next to Hugh's. On the other hand - if this flies (think there is a pun in there somewhere) - then I propose Purple Hearts for Carpal Tunnel, Lower Back Pain & Hemorrhoids...

A very reasonable response - thank you! My frustration was growing trying to provide insight to increasingly disjointed posts. I think you have both hit the proverbial nail squarely and provided the sought after answer to the question posed! I admire your mental flexibility which clearly exceeds mine!

Sir - your posts continue to confuse me! If you have an agenda - I guess it needs to be directly stated for the likes of me because I fail to grasp your point. These decorations are crosses for war - meaning a reward for services rendered during war time to forward the military cause of Belgium & France. As stated they were related to the level of military headquarters citing the soldier. The medal is a cross with swords bisecting the arms. The cross is a Christian symbol - yes - but it is an exceedingly common motif for military orders and decorations for nominally Christian nations. There is no connection between this award and political positions, acts of charity or religious affiliations. It is simply a medal bestowed on personnel serving during war in a manner meriting recognition. To me the intent and circumstances of the award have been clearly explained to include bestowal on foreign nationals. How you have moved from the explanations made to religious context, and other components of your post is beyond me. If someone can explain this to me - or to hzenba2012 for that matter - please jump in - I am completely at a loss!

Let me try to explain what I can for you. Connection to the Mexican government that you tried to make is a total mystery to me. The American slaves were liberated as a result of the American Civil War a half century before the First World War. Although freed, people of color still faced prejudice and segregation. Segregation extended to the Army as well where units not racially mixed. When American forces deployed to Europe, they were not always placed as subordinates to higher American headquarters. American Divisions were placed under French Corps and Armies. The French generals who commanded these Corps and Armies remained generals in their own army. They commanded their subordinate formations with full authority without regard to their country of origin. Therefore, if a soldier in an American Regiment or Division that had been attached to a French Corps performed a noteworthy act – his act could easily be recognized by a French award. Often, recognition could be forthcoming from the French faster than the Americans. For such a soldier – his award would move up to the French commander as the most direct communications chain (Division to Corps for approval) as opposed to all the way up the chain then over to the highest American headquarters for approval. Post war American documents could have simply an issue of soldiers and former soldiers applying for and receiving authority to wear foreign awards. As an additional note, many American airmen served in the French air force prior to the American entry into the hostilities. They first joined the French Foreign Legion (to protect their citizenship) and then were assigned to the French air service. These persons would solely subject to French awards unless they later transferred to the American forces after America entered the fray. Some did transfer and some stayed with the French for the duration. I do not see any linkage between the award of French medals to American citizens and monetary loans from government to government. I hope this clears up some of the confusion for you.