Rich

Hendrik that is marvellous! Thank you so much for not only providing where the information can be found, but also for the scans. Now I know his full name and that he was in Paris, would it be worth contacting the Prefecture to get his police service record, it may explain the earlier award? From my understanding, it seems they provide these for free but do not conduct searches for third parties (i.e. people like me!) - so would I need to employ a local researcher? https://www.prefecturedepolice.interieur.gouv.fr/archives Cheers Richard

Difficult for me to tell but I am sure an expert could, as Belgians wore a variety of uniforms and had, I believe, started to change uniforms and insignia just before 1914. I believe the letter is dated 1916, not 1910. Could be French, but they 'look' Belgian to me because much of their army in 1914 was reportedly rather unkempt by other nations' standards due to its poor status and budget. I'd send it to a Belgian museum, such as the 'In Flanders' Fields' in Ypres. Or post it on The Great War Forum website.

Hello all I have acquired a French police medal pair, both named to Georges Verdure. A police long service medal (pre-1932 type) and the above named silver bravery medal. Are there any accessible records that might point to the circumstances behind its award? If no official list, is there a French online newspaper archive that might mention the tale, as would be likely with a similar British award? Naturally, if his police records are available I'd also be most interested in finding out about how to get them. Thanks Richard

That's true, never thought of it in those terms. Makes sense.

Thanks for the advice, Brig. Strange to think he might have become a recruiting sergeant with such little prior service; I always think of them as early middle-aged guys with decades or service.

Army Commendation Medal named to Alan Harvey Chenevert, who, as a 1st Lieutenant of a platoon drawn from Company C, 127 Airborne Engineering Battalion, took part in the archetypal 1945 prisoner rescue mission. Chenevert and eight of his men jumped with B Company, 1st Company, 511 Parachute Infantry Regiment, whilst another force arrived amphibiously nearby. They set up booby-traps using C3 explosives. This medal would have been awarded in the mid-1960s or so. I found a trove of pictures on the FamilySearch site. I attached a new suspension ring and ribbon to the medal.

US Army Good Conduct Medal to a Joseph Kwiatowski. The only references I can find on Fold3 to this relatively uncommon spelling of the more common Kwiatkowski relate to an infantry PFC who was injured on 4 October 1951 and returned to duty a month later. I wonder whether it occurred during the First Battle of Maryang-San. His hospital record states at that point he had served in "AUS D" (Army of the United States D?) for 21 months. I believe him to be the Richard Joseph Kwiatowski born 1929 and resident in Buffalo NY. I'm assuming, unlike British medals, with these the recipient could nominate what details he wanted stamped on the medal?

A very nice collection. Thanks also for sharing your experience of these.

Hi Bill That's excellent, thanks so much for looking and also for the scans. I'm assuming it was the 1941 Rozier (sounds like a wine vintage), but presumably he'd have already had some years' service by 1941. If so, would it be possible for him to get his first GCM as late as in 1948? I thought subsequent enlistments were shown by bars and then stars. Koval seems to have had a long and varied 3-war career - I think his ribbon is missing an additional bronze star. Cheers Richard

I'm usually a strictly British/Commonwealth collector of medals to submariners, detectives, and my surname, hence huge gaps in my posting on the GMIC (still a stalker though!) but have always had a soft-spot for US medals, especially officially named examples. Here are a few of my recent acquisitions. Some of the information comes courtesy of some helpful chaps on the British Medal Forum, the remainder from the USN muster lists and odd records of marines listed as passengers aboard USN vessels on Fold3 (I don't have Ancestry for the US). Walter S Farmer (typo on stamping) who served as a submariner in both the North African and Pacific campaigns. It seems he later served in the Korean War in some capacity. Died aged only 40 in 1961. Served USS Gunnell in Operation Torch and then various boats in the Pacific war. I have (hopefully) successfully applied for his service records entirely online - surprised i've not been asked to pay for them yet, but my order is apparently being processed. USMC GC medal to a Stephen Koval. Features in some muster rolls aboard troop transports in various Pacific campaigns. Fold3 has a reference to him reaching the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant and having served in Korea and Vietnam. USMC GC to a William N Rozier. Soon to be (re)attached to a suspension bar and ribbon. A helpful member of the BMF said lots of references to William Roziers in USMC muster lists, including as a sergeant in the mid-late 40s, but nothing definitive as yet. Doesn't seem to be in USN muster lists for WW2, but I assume he enlisted 1944/5 to get the GCM in 1948.. Any advice or pointers would be appreciated, especially the Rozier medal as he is a mystery man. Comments, queries, suggestions welcome on this thread.

I've used Vanguard and they even take Paypal payments. www.Vanguardmil.com

Six years later....

Been ages since I've been on here! I just bought this attractive modern medal group, ideal to frame on the wall. I'd very much like the input of those who understand a lot more about the nuances of US medal awards, as there appear to be a few anomalies 1) navy and army achievement medals: I assume recipient most likely served ashore under army control (in Iraq)?If so, any particular specialty? 2) the medal rack has a Coastguard sea service ribbon and one of the expert shooting medal ribbons has the emblem in Coastguard format. However, no Coastguard medals and no USN Sea Service Ribbon, even though the service stars show considerable sea service; is this likely to be erroneous, or reflective of subsequent USCG service? 3) would anyone care to hazard the Humanitarian Medal operation? In in any case a lovely group bought at a very good price. (Sorry if photos skewed, were correct aspect when uploaded.

Unusual combination - impossible if complete entitlement?? The C de G is not on the Vichy ribbon (which was black and green), but on the French Republic ribbon and without emblem. Presumably he served 1939-40 with the French forces, in which case he should also have the WW2 commemorative (and presumably explains presence of military Valour Cross.

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Long time since those posts... I still have his medal and was wondering whether it's worth insuring in its own right and/or so I can estimate the total of my collection for insurance purposes (I'm okay with estimate the UK/Commonwealth stuff)? I know very little about Soviet prices, this being my only gallantry example (and only USSR award aside from a c.1944 MMM to a female transport NCO for directing convoys). Any ball park figures for the Bravery Medal and the researched MMM to a female soldier? Any information gratefully received. Rich

I note this is an ancient post, but re. Defence Medal absence: 1 - Home Guard generally required 3 years' service (and only in active existence for 4 years) 2 - WW2 medals had to be applied for, so perhaps application was never made, through oversight or deliberate inaction (not everyone could be bothered or even wanted them). In which case, NOK can apply for it. 3 - Maybe it was received, but never mounted since he'd left the services and therefore missing.

So did the Turks actually produce a war medal to go with the campaign bar ribbons?

There is an illustrated article on them, and RAF equivalents, in a c.1940 publication called Britain's Wonderful Fighting Forces (Think that's the title but I don't have a copy to hand.)

......... sorry, trying to attach attachment, can't see how to delete post.

Here's a link showing the couple I own(ed), both 1 REC for Chad: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1262...mp;#entry121582

Hi, So, French KIAs received either Legion d'Honneur and C de G (officers) or Medaille Militaire and C deG (other ranks). Questions I've been puzzling over: 1) Did they also receive the 3 campaign medals (Victory, Commem. and (if entitled) C du Combattant)? 2) What make of C de G did they receive - a generic 1914-18 one, or does it depend upon year of death? 3) In these instances was the C de G always awarded with a Star, or a Palm? 4) Was this the same practice during WW2? TIA for any help; just been wondering about these things for a bit.

You ought to read how Prussian officers are described in John Buchan novels... ... suspiciously short hair and a penchant for soft furnishings. Hannay twigged it, obviously.

I suppose one must bear in mind that some of the medals we have were awarded to gay people (if one really cares about who does what with who and how). In fact, I know someone who researches WW1 relatives for people who's sometimes had to confess that a certain military 'crime' for which a great-uncle was convicted falls into the same-sex sexual misdemeanor. Those pics just show different cultures in a different age... ... although that one of the Soviet generals is really dodgy.

Okay, thanks. Bear with me and I'll post the scans of what I already have. (Not really au fait with Russian research possibilities, as you might have guessed.)