Ulsterman

robert- you could always pull it before the end and then make chris pay you in beer- I suspect you'd end up ahead. By the way -those flak negatives are superb.

any chance he was a newspaper reporter? I know of at least one OTC chap who was in Ulster for a few months who got the GSM in the late 1980s. His medal named "Cadet" though.

awarded in 2000-from Cubas' official Gramna" newspaper: I estimate by the on-line decrees that well over 3000 of these have been awarded:

well, once again I learn something new! Having just perused the National CC's website (see above picture, which i borrowed/pilfered therefrom, in the name of academic illustration) the NCCC is a HUGE body! I just sent an email to the website adviser, a Lt. Col., with a link to this subject and perhaps he can answer our question regarding what rank/position she held? Perhaps you have the model turned actress.... !

perhaps an HIV educator? http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/102281514.html

well a quick google check shows an economic ambassador to Cologne, a model turned actress, a barrister, a well reputed MD and another medical scientist (the latter four all females). Hmmmmm.... a good deal is...a good deal! Congratulations.

OK- I'll bite-why is "Mrs." the nomenclature for a fake? Many of the Indians I know all use English patois from the 1920-40s so this would be technically correct, albeit stuffy, for a married female cadet corps matron? Are there no Indian female cadet corps officers?

Beamter/Rat? In Berlin in 1870-71?

We need to see photos. You may have a big hit there, as Sadaam awarded "swords of victory' to officers who led successful attacks and defense operations in the Iran war and the Kuwait invasion. the latter were made by Wilkinson and delivered 5 days before the invasion.

Agreed- I base my comments upon the perusal of @ 20 resumes of varied sorts (election lists, party lists, cultural resumes, academic resumes) and everyone in the arts community seems to get this medal. however, the NAMED medals seems to merit more 'worth', as they are awarded later and not to 'everyone". The "Stars" seem to list the named medals at the top. No the real interesting one is the medal of valor that was awarded to the Lt. Col. shot by the "US sponsored" hijackers last year.

Not any more-but it was common in the 1050s.

I am stunned! THAT is the ultimate bar-the jewel of the collection crown . Congratulations!!!

Wow! Of course, it would look better on the OMSA database. I am jealous and very impressed. Which forumite may i ask?

...I still boggle at the thought of the Military Museum STORE selling off things- Can we have the snaps for OMSA? Really interesting thread-I'd bet there weren't many of these guys, but they had great border stories.

wow! Now THAT is a tunic! I really like that one-GREAT uniform.

A really interesting one- I find recipients who are famous revolutionary journalists,"old guard" revolutionaries, army officers in Angola and a spy who infiltrated an exile group in Miami. Reyes was killed in Bolivia with Che. Another important one to collect.

I note that an American, one John Gilman, head of the Peace and Justice network in Wisconsin (and a WW2 vet as well) has just been awarded this medal for his anti-war and "let Cuba live" work. I sent him an email as to whether he has a document with the medal. In April,1998 several BRITISH customs officers received this medal as well. Think of Gilman and the Customs officers medal bars! here's a picture from the link above of the Iranian Ambassador receiving his Amistad medal:

you are welcome. If this was numbered-well....it'd be the ORB all over again.

Ack! Individually! History wrecker. Any of you read the article in Harpers, "The Man Who Would be Khan"? It gave a lot of great background detail on the Mongolian army.

Graet article! Any photos of them in wear? how many customs guards were there? So to summarize, there were medals established in 1951, new ones in 1953, then again in 1957 and 1966 and they were abolished in 1977? Are they common to find?

Hmmm...In perusing resumes all evening this one really is one of the important ones. You got this for being in the old guard-and fighting Batista. Perhaps Cuba's version of the golden party badge-one to collect, along with the Che order of course.

Established on April 28, 1989, the medal recognizes individuals and groups that, through intellectual and artistic/cultural work have contributed to the defense and integration of Latin American culture. It is awarded primarliy to artisits, writers and intellectuals and awrdees have included: Gabriel Garcia Coarse Marquez, Mario Benedetti, Augusto Roa Bastos, Robert Matta, Alfonso Tailo,, the ICAIC and the theatre company "The Shed" of Uruguay. Only two Cubans have been given the award to date. Presentations are made in the House of the Americas in Havana, usually on Culture Day (October 20th).

Hmmm-Now that is worthy of a JOMSA article. Before 19179 it apparently was the highest award of the federation of Cuban women. there are many awards out there from 1974/75.

wow! The first Ana Betencourt Order (seems to be ladies only) I have seen!

Neat Order. Apparently Pais was commander of a separate and powerful other revolutionary movement and Che and he did not get along. if he hadn't been murdered........? This seems to be a "Legion of merit" or "OBE" kind of thing and established early. i found a couple of awards made in 1962! http://cuba.cu/ciencia/acc/crafael_rguez_ingles.htm The above is interesting-imagine THAT medal bar!