Lukasz Gaszewski

Are you sure the ribbon bar lying on the photo is the same the man is wearing? I personally do not think the uniform is Polish at all and certainly not from 1920-22 era. Open collars and ties began to be used in the Polish Armed Forces in 1936 (in the air force), in the army as late as in 1939/40 in the Polish Army in France. If it was a WWII Polish army uniform, it would most probably have collar patches on it. To me it looks more Yugoslavian or Czech, unfortunately it is a typical military jacket, you cannot see the rank and the photo is too blurred to see details. I think it will be difficult to figure out without knowing further details about the photo itself :(

I believe the Soviet-like uniforms and insignia were adopted in Cuba in 1970s (according to my information by "Ley No. 1315 sobre el sistema de grados militares de las FAR, de la República de Cuba" of November 23, 1976) but they might be in use some time before. I remember in 1981, being in what was then called Leningrad and now is back St. Petersburg I was on the tram with I thought a Soviet Army captain. Only upon a closer examination I found to my surprise that the insignia on his peaked cap were not Soviet. He explained that he was Cuban. Except the coat of arms on the cap, his uniform was identical to what Soviet officers wore at that time! Below is the chart of what FAR ranks looked like before the Soviet pattern was adopted. Btw: I am interested in the rank of "Comandante de la revolución". Who held/holds it? I know that the rank of Comandante en Jefe is reserved to Fidel, while Raul is a General de Ejército (I think the only one). Slightly off-topic: does anybody know what the ranks of pre-Castro era looked like?

Just wonder if somebody can identify the Pakistani medals represented by these two ribbon bars. The photos I have suggest they must both have been established before 2008. Below are the photos of Gen. Musharraf, Gen. Kayani and another general, all wearing both ribbons. Note the position. On Musharraf's uniform, the first ribbon is placed between the 30 and 40 years of service medals, which can be some hint (a medal for 35 years of service ???). The other ribbon is the last Pakistani one, which would suggest either a new commemorative/jubilee medal or a fairly low decoration (shooting medal ?). Note a device which looks like MID badge on Musharraf's and Kayani's ribbons.

Rick and Daniel. You are absolutely correct! This gentleman is General Wojciech Jaruzelski. He was the Minister of National Defense, 1st Secretary of the United Polish Workers Party (PZPR), Prime Minister and finally the first (and last) President of People's Poland. He is best known of indroducing the martial law in Poland on December 13, 1981. As nobody has recognized any of his ribbons (I do not have any better photo at the moment, sorry), here is another hint. The ribbons are of the following countries (not necessarily in this order): Poland, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, North Korea, Romania and USSR. The ribbons are the same set (and probably the same uniform) that he was wearing when announcing the martial law on TV. Happy hunting! Lukasz

I initially wanted to post this in Christophe's quiz thread, but decided to open up a new topic instead. Two questions: 1. Who is this gentleman in a uniform and dark glasses? (the easier question) 2. The ribbon bars of what decorations is he wearing? (the more difficult one) A hint: all his awards are Soviet bloc awards. Happy guessing! Lukasz Enlarged photo:

The second officer is a Major General. Finnish officers used to wear collar laces, strikingly similar to Austro-Hungarian ones. The rank is denoted by a single lion on the collar. The ribbon in the buttonhole is of the Prussian Iron Cross.

Not sure if I have ever seen an actual one. Still, here is a photo from Greg Ogletree's book. It may have been replaced by a "ribbon-only" award. The ribbon should be yellow with blue stripes. Lukasz

Hi, I need to buy some CGA miniature medals. Does anybody know any relatively cheap dealer of such medals? I will owe you very much for information. Lukasz

Polish authorities have been quite recluctant to establish new medals. The only two commemorative medals for post-WWII service abroad (not including the semiofficial Multinational Division Central-South Commemorative Medal) are the Afghanistan Star and Iraq Star, established last year. A mild proposal of a third, Yugoslavia Star, for service in the former Yugoslavia under UN was turned down in the course of legislative work. No other commemorative award for service under UN has ever been considered. Sorry to disappoint you. Lukasz

Better photos of the medals:

To me this sash looks like that of Sabah's Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu Yang Amat Mulia (PGDK) (Most Honourable Order of Kinabalu - Knight Commander) - the second type of the Order of Kinabalu, that has been in use since 1970 (http://www.medals.lava.pl/my/my3.htm#msh). Lukasz

Thank you very much for that, Hugh. That was exactly what I needed. Now I will be able to adjust at least some of my website ribbons. Thanks again. Lukasz

Hugh, if it is not too much trouble, could you please give the width of the particular ribbons? I am especially interested in the width of the sashes and neck ribbons. Best, Lukasz

I hope this can help too: http://www.medals.lava.pl/my/my3.htm#mtg I believe this can be the ribbon of Seri Setia Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Terengganu (SSMZ) (upper right). Thanks IVB:

Hello Hugh and all, I find Malaysian orders beautiful from the artistic point of view. Besides, I am fascinated by the multitude of ODMs they have. I guess, due to its federal structure, Malaysia has one of the most developed award systems of the world, giving way only to Imperial Germany. As far as the Terengganu Order of the Crown is concerned, in1998 HM Mizan Zainal Abidin followed his father Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah as the 16th Sultan of Terengganu. It is possible that the ribbon was replaced just then, as it is the case sometimes on such ocassions. The new sultan established a new order, namely the Order of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Terengganu, thus discontinuing the Order of Sultan Mahmud Terengganu, established by his father. Both orders are kind of household orders, similar to the British Royal Victorian Order, while the Order of the Crown has the function similar to the Order of the British Empire. I am looking for an image of the Order of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Terengganu, or at least a description of what its ribbon looks like. If somebody has any information, please share. Lukasz

Ramon L. Gonzalez, USCG sent me information regarding the newly approved CG Combat Action Ribbon. This is a second recently established Coast Guard award, after the CG Presidential Unit Citation of 2006. The ribbon looks very much like the Navy CAR, but has additional white 3/64" pinstripes: Enclosed is the information I found about eligibility: ALCOAST 361/08 COMDTNOTE 1650 SUBJ: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COAST GUARD COMBAT ACTION RIBBON A. MEDALS AND AWARDS MANUAL, COMDTINST M1650.25 (SERIES) 1. ON 16 JULY 2008, THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROVED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COAST GUARD COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (CAR). THE CAR WILL BE AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD IN THE GRADE OF CAPTAIN AND JUNIOR WHO HAVE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN GROUND OR MARITIME COMBAT. 2. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: THE CAR IS AN INDIVIDUAL SERVICE AWARD. THE PRINCIPAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERION IS SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE UNDER ENEMY FIRE WHILE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN A GROUND OR MARITIME ENGAGEMENT. NEITHER SERVICE IN A COMBAT AREA NOR BEING AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL OR A COMBAT AWARD/BADGE FROM ANOTHER SERVICE AUTOMATICALLY MAKES A SERVICE MEMBER ELIGIBLE FOR THE CAR. THE FOLLOWING AMPLIFYING GUIDANCE IS PROVIDED: A. DIRECT EXPOSURE TO THE DETONATION OF AN IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) USED BY AN ENEMY, WITH OR WITHOUT THE IMMEDIATE PRESENCE OF ENEMY FORCES, CONSTITUTES ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN A GROUND OR MARITIME ENGAGEMENT. B. PERSONNEL WHO SERVE IN CLANDESTINE OR SPECIAL OPERATIONS, WHO BY THE NATURE OF THEIR MISSION, ARE RESTRICTED IN THEIR ABILITY TO RETURN FIRE, AND WHO ARE OPERATING IN CONDITIONS WHERE THE RISK OF ENEMY FIRE WAS GREAT AND EXPECTED TO BE ENCOUNTERED, MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CAR. C. THE CAR WILL NOT BE AWARDED TO PERSONNEL FOR AERIAL COMBAT, HOWEVER, A PILOT OR CREWMEMBER FORCED TO ESCAPE OR EVADE, AFTER BEING FORCED DOWN, MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARD. D. PERSONNEL WHO EARNED THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, ARMY COMBAT INFANTRYMAN/MEDICAL BADGE, OR AIR FORCE COMBAT ACTION MEDAL WHILE ON DUTY WITH ANOTHER SERVICE OR AS A PRIOR SERVICE MEMBER, MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO WEAR THE CAR. APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOLLOW IN PARAGRAPH 3.A. 3. IMPLEMENTATION: A. INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EARNED THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, AIR FORCE COMBAT ACTION MEDAL OR ARMY COMBAT INFANTRY/MEDICAL/ACTION BADGE FOR ACTIONS ON OR AFTER 1 MAY 1975, MUST REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO BE AWARDED THE CAR. REQUESTS WILL BE ROUTED THROUGH THE MEMBERS COMMANDING OFFICER AND ADDRESSED TO COMMANDANT (CG-1221). REQUESTS MUST INCLUDE A COPY OF THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE ARMY/NAVY/AIR FORCE AWARD. REQUESTS WILL BE REVIEWED INDIVIDUALLY AND RESPONSES WILL BE PROVIDED IN WRITING FOR UPDATE IN THE MEMBERS SERVICE RECORD AS APPROPRIATE. B. EFFECTIVE 1 JANUARY 2009, NO AWARD OF THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, AIR FORCE COMBAT ACTION MEDAL, OR ARMY COMBAT INFANTRY/MEDICAL/ACTION BADGE IS AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE COAST GUARD UNIFORM, EVEN IF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY WAIVER FROM CGHQ. SERVICEMEMBERS MAY WEAR THE NEW RIBBON IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT OF AUTHORIZATION FROM COMMANDANT (CG-1221). C. RETIRED/SEPARATED SERVICEMEMBERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO RETAIN PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED ARMY/NAVY/AIR FORCE COMBAT SERVICE AWARDS. D. AWARDS OF THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON FOR SERVICE PRIOR TO 1 MAY 1975 REMAIN AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE COAST GUARD UNIFORM AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR CONVERSION TO THIS AWARD. 4. ELIGIBLE OPERATIONS: THE COMMANDANT DETERMINES WHICH OPERATIONS MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THIS AWARD. CURRENTLY, THE AWARD IS AUTHORIZED FOR OPERATIONS ALLIED FORCE (KOSOVO), DESERT STORM, ENDURING FREEDOM AND IRAQI FREEDOM. THIS LISTING IS NOT ALL INCLUSIVE, AS THE CAR MAY BE AWARDED IN MINOR OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS FOR SPECIFIC ACTIONS. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE: A. ENLISTED MEMBERS AWARDED THE CAR WILL RECEIVE ONE AWARD POINT TOWARD THEIR SERVICEWIDE EXAM. MEMBERS WHO PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED CREDIT FOR A COMBAT SERVICE AWARD FROM THE NAVY, ARMY, OR AIR FORCE WILL NOT RECEIVE ADDITIONAL CREDIT FOR CONVERSION TO THE CAR. B. SUBSEQUENT AWARDS. A 3/16-INCH BRONZE STAR WILL BE WORN TO DENOTE SUBSEQUENT AWARDS. A 3/16-INCH SILVER STAR WILL BE WORN IN LIEU OF FIVE BRONZE STARS. ONLY ONE AWARD PER OPERATION IS AUTHORIZED. C. GUIDANCE AND CRITERIA FOR THIS AWARD WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT CHANGE TO REF (A). 6. AWARD DESIGN AND AVAILABILITY: THE AWARD DESIGN ADDS A SMALL WHITE BAND TO EITHER SIDE OF THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE BANDS IN THE CENTER OF THE NAVY AWARD. A GRAPHIC OF THE NEW RIBBON IS AVAILABLE AT THE MEDALS AND AWARDS WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/MEDALS. INITIALLY, THE RIBBON WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE FROM CGHQ AND WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AUTHORIZATIONS FOR THE AWARD. THE RIBBON WILL BE AVAILABLE COMMERCIALLY IN ADVANCE OF THE 1 JANUARY 2009 FINAL IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR PERSONNEL WHO HAVE THEIR RIBBONS PROFESSIONALLY MOUNTED. 7. DIRECT QUESTIONS TO MR. GABLE AT (202) 475-5385, CWO HUGHES AT (202) 475-5384 OR MS. DAY AT (202) 475-5386. 8. RDML DANIEL A. NEPTUN, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, SENDS. 9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

Your obedient servant! I was just speechless when I saw your photos. They are great indeed! I am particularly obliged for the photos of Sarawak orders. They are extremely hard to find. I once made a compilation of all ribbons of Malaysian orders and medals available to me. Here is the Sarawak section: http://www.medals.lava.pl/my/my3.htm#msk. I still have some doubts about the names of Sarawak orders. According to my research the Order of Kenyalang has a still different ribbon - yellow with black central stripe and red edges. But you are never sure about Sarawak orders, which are the most mysterious of all Malaysian states. The Order of the Star of Sarawak adopted a new ribbon in 1988. If you have any additional information, please share! I am also not sure about the Order of the Crown of Terengganu. Either it is a fake ribbon (this ribbon is used by the Order of Kinabalu of Sabah - the 1970 type), or they adopted a new one recently (this happens ocassionally with Malaysian orders). The badge is certainly that of the Order of the Crown. Yours is a great contribution to GMIC indeed. I am sure other GMIC members will say the same. Thanks a lot! Lukasz

Hi, It is the Installation Medal (Pingat Pertalaban) of HRH Sultan Idris Almutawakkil Allahi Shah (33rd Sultan of Perak - 1963-1984). Lukasz

Defense Information Systems Agency - Meritorious Civilian Service Medal

Defense Information Systems Agency - Exceptional Civilian Service Medal

The Afghanistan Star and the Iraq Star are conferred to military and civilian participants of the missions to Afghanistan and to Iraq. The ribbon of the Afghanistan Star is light green with the edges in the Afghan tricolor. The ribbon of the Iraq Star is sand yellow with the edges in the colors of the Iraqi flag. In the centre there is a red stripe, flanked by narrower white ones. Participation in a contingent or operation is denoted by a bronze bar with contingent number or name of the operation. The first bestowal of the Military Cross took place on Independence Day, on 11 November, 2007. The stars have been conferred since 1 January, 2008. Photos are courtesy of the President's Chancellery, Warsaw. At the moment I do not have any photos of the commemorative stars.