Lukasz Gaszewski

The Medal of Research:

Ed, you just beat me to that! And here is the result of my efforts: The Medal of Service 1st Degree for Mr. Reza Aghazadeh (left, no close-up of the medal, I'm afraid ): BTW: don't they ever wear ties?

I'll try to help: try to reduce the size of the photo. You can use any non-vector graphics software (Gimp, Paint Shop Pro, etc). You can even use the old good Microsoft Paint, which you should have on your PC with the operating system. Just open the photo in MS Paint, select Stretch/Skew in the Image menu, reduce both the width and height (to 80% or 50% - try it out) and save the photo in the JPG format. For me the maximum size of a file to upload is 110 kB (which is not much indeed), but you can have more, as you have many more posts. Important: first make a copy of your photo and experiment on it ONLY, or you will not be able to restore the original quality of the file! Good luck! Lukasz

Only this b/w drawing, but I think better than nothing. The ribbon is the same as in the republican version:

Great hunting Antonio!! I saw that website a few years ago, but it has changed much since then. There are other interesting items out there. My favorite: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=15097

I think this one is Commander rather than Member.

CL

GCL

Cross of Valor and the Order of Logohu from http://www.elmint.com/ :

I have arranged as many ribbons as possible according to the photos of the ribbons worn by actual recipients, but some are still doubtful: http://www.medals.lava.pl/ir/ir2.htm I think Dave's medal can be the Medal of Bravery. The side stripes are dark green rather than black and the white edges may come out blue on some photos. I have spotted another ribbon bar on google, referring to an ebay auction. Unfortunately, the auction is over, so only the resized google image is available: Look at the first ribbon. It is the same as in Dave's medal. As the remaining ribbons suggest a person in the active military service, it is unlikely that he could receive the medal for the next of kin. Lukasz

An eye candy for you (the decoration, not the recipient ). The Order of the Islamic Republic of Iran 1st Class on Mr. Hugo Chavez. Enjoy!

A nice-looking ribon bar from the Islamic Republic (can you id the ribbons?):

Congratulations, Dave! Great site. I have always found the award system of Bavaria the best developed of all German states and Bavarian decorations the most elegant.

He has been promoted (er..., I meant promoted himself) to Major-General. No wonder that with such a lack of respect your requests remain unanswered!!! L.

Yes, it is! That's the pre-1991 type. The post-1991 type is this: Cheers, Lukasz

Fantastic information, thank you! I was unable to find any information about the medals, particularly about the Sphinx medal. Where can I find information about other medals of the Corps of Commissionnaires? Lukasz

Even if just one does, the effort will pay. Here is another horse from the same stable: I'm putting it up here "as it is" to preserve it for the future generations. Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...bayphotohosting It must cetainly be the WWII type, as it was only then that they added Swedish clips to the ribbon You can have this beauty "purchased off a very reputable seller of fine medals" for just US $115.00 (+ $10.00 shipping and handling)! Run folks and be quick!!!

Seine allerh?chste Majest?t Franz-Joseph I, von Gottes Gnaden Kaiser von ?sterreich, Apostolischer K?nig von Ungarn, K?nig von B?hmen, von Dalmatien, von Kroatien, von Slawonien, von Galizien, von Lodomerien und Illyrien, K?nig von Jerusalem, etc. ; Erzherzog von ?sterreich, Grossherzog von der Toskana und Krakau, Herzog von Lothringen und von Salzburg, von der Steiermark, von K?rnten, von Krain und von der Bukowina; Grossf?rst von Siebenb?rgen ; Markgraf von M?hren; Herzog von Ober- und Niederschlesien, von Modena, von Parma, von Piacenza und Guastalla, von Auschwitz und Zator, von Teschen, Friaul, Ragusa und Zara ; Gef?rsteter Graf von Habsburg und Tirol, von Kyburg, G?rz und Gradisca ; F?rst von Trient und von Brixen; Markgraf von der Ober- und Niederlausitz und in Istrien ; Graf von Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg etc. ; Herr von Triest von Cattaro und auf der Windischen Mark ; Grosswojwod der Wojwodschaft Serbien, etc.; Kaiserliche und Apostolische Majest?t. This is His Majesty's fieldmarshal's uniform and the decorations are as follows: War Medal, 1873 Officer's Decoration for 50 Years of Military Service, Gold Jubilee Medal for the Armed Forces, 1898, Military Jubilee Cross, 1908, Russian Order of St. George 4th Class. The sash is of the Military Order of Maria-Theresia. The stars are of: Military Order of Maria-Theresia, Order of St. Stephen, Order of Leopold, Order of the Iron Crown. The neck decoration is the Order of the Golden Fleece. Thanks for sharing!

Right! I forgot the Desert Storm.

Do they still keep awarding TOE CdG? I thought it had been discontinued in 1950s and the Croix de la Valeur Militaire has been awarded instead. Also the star on the ribbon looks too small to me. Lukasz

2) Corps of Commissionnaires??

I recently got these two pretty medals. I believe both to be British, but do not have much information about them. Please help! Thanks, Lukasz 1) Sphinx medal

OK, here are the statutes of the order. I cannot help thinking that the legislators must have been much inspired by the Soviet Order of the Patriotic War. Article 1. The ORDER "CAMILO CIENFUEGOS" is awarded to the members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in the active military service, in the reserve and retired, as well as to the military of friendly countries, for extraordinary merit in developing and accomplishing combat actions, in defense of the achievements and sovereignty of our socialist country. Article 2. The ORDER "CAMILO CIENFUEGOS" is made of gilt metal. Article 3. The ORDER "CAMILO CIENFUEGOS" is conferred in recognition of the following types of merit: a) shooting down a bomber or a fighter-bomber by the means of the Air Force; b) shooting down two armored helicopters or three transport helicopters by the means of the Air Force; c) shooting down three or more bombers or fighter-bombers by the means of anti-aircraft missiles or contributing to their destruction in the complex conditions of the situation in the air; ch) shooting down two or more aircraft or helicopters by the means of the anti-aircraft artillery; d) destroying three or more enemy tanks or armored carriers; e) sinking three or more enemy barges or transportation or personal amphibious vehicles; f) neutralizing an enemy artillery group; g) destroying two or more tanks or pieces of artillery with the support of tanks or armored vehicles; h) sinking a transportation barge for troops, combat equipment or artillery support by the means of small firearms; i) capturing and fetching to our lines important enemy arms or equipment; j) destroying a submarine or a supporting barge; k) removing, under the enemy fire, damaged vital parts of equipment or arms; l) successfully assisting, under the enemy fire, in a combat action of the unit or subunit; ll) assisting at the risk of one's life the commander of the unit during the combat, accomplishing combat objective with him; m) annihilating superior enemy forces while commanding the unit or subunit with its forces and means; n) destroying at the direct risk of life the enemy equipment or arms thus securing the success of our troops; ?) saving the life of comrades at the direct risk of one's life; o) achieving combat success resulting from participation in the planning of combat actions and distinguished commanding the troops; p) demonstrating other deeds or acts of personal valor and bravery. The following articles describe the physical appearance of the order and ribbon bar, the obligations of the recipients and the deeds for which the order can be revoked. Article 9 states that the order may be conferred posthumously; article 10 details to whom the insignia will be handed in such a case.

Fantastic piece. Thanks! Lukasz

Thanks Dave, that was exactly what I needed. Interesting, that just like with UN medals, only one medal is authorized for wearing, any subsequent being denoted by star devices. Lukasz