Lukasz Gaszewski

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

Here are the Malays. I'll be adding a gaggle of Philippino to this board. I'll do closeups / names if anyone wants one.

Hugh

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:

And how did a Polish guy become involved with Sarawak?

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.

Thanks, Lukasz! I've been waiting a long time to learn this. Any comments on the others?

Hugh

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

Here's a closer look.

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.

On 14 June, 2007 the President of the Republic signed an act establishing six new military awards and reviving a medal that was in use before WWII. It has been the largest amendment to the Polish award system since 1992.

The Military Cross is a combat decoration, which can be conferred to any military, irrespective of rank and service, for combat valor against an act of terrorism on the territory of Poland or while on an overseas mission, which however does not meet the requirements to be awarded with the Order of the Military Cross. It can also be awarded to members of other uniformed services, to civilians or to a military unit. It can be conferred up to four times to the same individual. It is a non-warlike counterpart of the Polish Cross of Valour.

The ribbon is crimson with dark blue side stripes, which are the reversed colours of the Order of the Military Cross. Each subsequent award will be denoted by a bronze bar with oak leaves on the ribbon.

The Army Cross of Merit, Navy Cross of Merit and Air Force Cross of Merit are conferred to members of these services. The crosses are awarded with swords for meritorious service in combat operations against acts of terrorism at home or during military missions overseas. The crosses without swords are awarded for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service.

The ribbon is dark crimson, navy blue or light blue, with narrow white edges and side stripes equally spaced. Each cross can be conferred twice. A second award will be denoted by a bar on the ribbon.

The Long Service Medal was established originally in 1938. It is awarded for long, exemplary service to the country in three classes: gold, silver and bronze, for 30, 20 and 10 years of service respectively. It is conferred to members of the Armed Forces, other uniformed services and to government or local government employees.

The ribbon is claret with a wide white stripe in the centre. When ribbons only are worn, a Roman numeral is attached to them.

Hello Kevin, excuse please this delay. I've had an urgent work to do and was unable to answer any correspondence last week.

The scans are excellent! This is exactly the information I needed. I am going to update the Pershing Rifles section asap and you will certainly be added to the contributors list (unless you don't want to).

I am happy and proud to hear my DDR page is still useful! I have collected some material regarding the non-state medals of DDR, a small part of which can be found down the page. Perhaps it's time to expand it.

Thanks again and best regards

Lukasz

Hello Kevin,

Thank you for the quick response. I actually do not need the ribbons for myself. The reason I am inquiring is because I would like to add their images to my website http://www.medals.lava.pl/us/uschk2.htm (see down "Organizational Awards for ROTC" to see the rest of them). I will be more than glad if you will provide the photos from your collection - this will absolutely do. Needless to say, I shall add you to website contributors if you want me to.

Best regards,

Lukasz

Hello, I am looking for the following Pershing Rifles awards:

1. National Staff Ribbon

2. Regimental Staff Ribbon

3. Life Saving Award

I will owe a lot for help.

Lukasz

Ohhhh .... Order Budowniczych Polski Ludowej

Exactly Ed, this is it!

An interesting thing about the Order of Builders is that it could be conferred exclusively to Polish citizens. Surprisingly, Rokossovsky was no exception here. He was of Polish origin, and although he left Warsaw in 1914 (to join the Russian army) before Poland regained independence, he was granted Polish citizenship when he arrived in Poland in 1949 , to become, from Stalin's appointment, a Minister of Defense and to add the rank of Marshal of Poland to that of Marshal of the Soviet Union. He left the country in 1956, when destalinizing process began, and never visited Poland again.

Besides the Order of Builders, he had the Grand Cross of Virtuti Militari and the Grunwald Cross 1st Class which he received already in 1945 as a Soviet Marshal.

Lukasz

It is the class of Grand Cross of VM. It should be worn as a sash decoration, but Sovet recipients neglected this manner. The decoration on the left is the Order of Builders of People's Poland - the top award of People's Republic.

The tunic is an early post-war model and the decorations on it seem to be attached for display purposes only. There is the Order of the October Revolution, an award established in 1967, when this type of tunic had already fallen into disuse.

Lukasz

Marc,

unfortunately I dont know, something from eastern europe I suppouse.

Waldemar

Surprisingly it is not! It is the star of the Grand Cross of the Peruvian Cross of Military Merit, Kulikov was awarded in 1972. I was not able to find any images of the star itself, but here is a photo of the Knight Cross, courtesy <a href="http://www.medal-medaille.com/" target="_blank">http://www.medal-medaille.com/</a>.

And here are some photos from a conferment ceremony:

<a href="http://www.ejercito.mil.pe/prensa/2007/jun...ora_agremil.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ejercito.mil.pe/prensa/2007/jun...ora_agremil.htm</a>

Lukasz

A humble suggestion to the moderator: perhaps a separate forum for South and Central America (possibly including Mexico as well) would be a nice addition to GMIC.

PS: the photo depicts Kulikov as a general of the army. He was promoted to a Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1977. It must have been taken in 1974, because he is already wearing the Romanian Order of 23rd of August he was awarded that year and does not have his Motherland 3rd Class he received the following year.