I saw it too concerning the gold cross. I can't explain . But I do think that usually when the swords are not mentioned is for a cross without swords. We can accept exceptions, and the gold cross is one. I read somewhere (Angolia ???)that the crosses without swords were awarded in silver for the officers and bronze for NCO's and privates. If your guy has a paper only with silver mentioned , I think it is again an exception for the spanish cross in silver with swords. It is difficult to make a rule or be definitive with these documents. Not so many are available, and nothing has been writen. The dates also are an issue; the preliminary docs were also sent after the 1939 parades. This is more my feeling than a definitive work. jacques