Carol I

Here it comes again: the link on Gheorghe Negel.

No. 1 could be the Greek Order of the Redeemer.

A larger photo would have helped, but I'll give it a try, Kevin. "Formerly in Regiments 22nd Infantry "Closca"(?) and 1st Border Guards. In the war for national reunification, three times with wounds still bleeding got to the first lines under the tricolour flags. With a plutoon surprising(?) a Bulgarian division in Dobruja. The Mărăşti crowns his heroism and Romanian and foreign distinctions recognise it. Winner in battles, he was suddenly defeated by the cruel fate on 20 April 1920 at the age of 23."

The name is Artur (sometimes spelled Arthur) Văitoianu, a former general and prime minister of Romania. As a commanding officer of an army corps during the Battle of Mărăşti in WWI, his remains now rest in the Mărăşti Mausoleum.

The year of death is probably 1886.

General Corneliu Dragalina, the son of Ion Dragalina above, was a well-decorated WWII officer.

This is the tomb of General Ion Dragalina.

The last name is Neghel. You can read here about the circumstances of his death.

General Gheorghe Cornescu It looks like the Russian Order of St Stanislas. Probably the Russian Order of St. Vladimir

Alexandru Socec was degraded in the beginning of 1917 and sentenced to 5 years in prison. Read more in Punish Rumanian General in "The New York Times" of 10.02.1917 and in Why a General is "Doing Time" by Hamilton Fyfe from "The War Illustrated" of 17.03.1917.

See the post on "The Charge at Robanesti" from 07.06.2009 on the Great War Forum.

The man behind the photo: General Samsonovici Nicolae, Chief of General Staff (21.06.1927-11.08.1932) and Minister of War (11.08.1932-14.11.1933) Photo Gallery of the Ministry of National Defense

The name of the order in Romanian is Ordinul Crucea Regina Maria (The Order of the Queen Marie Cross). It was organised in three classes named simply 1st, 2nd and 3rd. An image of the first class of the order awarded during WWI and after (but before WWII) can be found on Megan's site. Second and third classes were not enamelled and were worn on the chest. Orange was indeed the colour of the ribbon of the order. Let me know if you have other questions regarding the grades/classes and divisions of the Romanian orders. It might not be easy in the beginning to understand the differences between them.

Is the officer Joseph Boyle? Some photos show him wearing the wartime Order of the Star of Romania with swords, not the peacetime military insignia. Are you familiar with the different insignia of the Romanian orders: civilian, peacetime military, wartime?

Do you know the type and the division of the awards? Megan's site could be a good starting point to look for information on these awards.

Her name was Louise Gürtesch (born Gellner).

Kevin, can you zoom in the marked area? The name on the hangar could tell us where the photo was taken.

The MS initials are those of Monetaria Statului (the State Mint).

I think it is TECUCI, not Tecna. It could be PLOIESTI, not Ploiesn. The handwriting is rather deceiving.

Hello, Corabia... As far as I know, "Stakhanovite" is the English version of the Romanian "Stahanovist", so I do not know where my mistake was. :unsure:

The text above would translate into something like "Distinguished in the socialist competition on the branch" and the one on the star into "Stakhanovite".

The Order of the White Rose of Finland

Possibly the Polish Order of the White Eagle.

I think MFA stood for Ministerul Forţelor Armate (the Ministry of Armed Forces). The name of the ministry was changed in 1972 to Ministerul Apărării Naţionale (the Ministry of National Defense).

And a provisional award certificate from 1945 for deeds against Axis forces. So, maybe this is not the right section for this topic. Can someone in power move it to Central & Eastern European States: Non Communist Era as it would probably get more exposure there? Thanks in advance!