ChrisKelly

Anyone know anything about this medal? I read it ceased award in 1999, and I wonder why. I know it's been reproduced, of course, but I read there are two versions. Presumably one Communist and one post-Communist. Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auschwitz_Cross https://www.ebay.com/itm/375469524325

Sorry about all that... Years pass, interests change, debts arise (causing sales of that once valued collection). I know the feeling. Years ago I sold off a cased 40 year civil faithful service cross I now wish I'd kept. Beware! Strange as it is, I found a fake on ebay. The 50 year medal is not in high demand, since most collectors are more interested in the military and NSDAP awards, but this one has also been reproduced. I wish the seller had posted an image of the obverse. Source: https://www.ebay.com/itm/354159661847?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=354159661847&targetid=2295557531950&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1027271&poi=&campaignid=21415037908&mkgroupid=173029509028&rlsatarget=pla-2295557531950&abcId=9450163&merchantid=646496081&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr7C6BhDRARIsAOUKifiuLD6D36MHBv388foP3dbGYAmiX4giClG81GI19yoTr0wqG1h4G2YaAriJEALw_wcB

Some interesting reading... Have any been awarded yet? Will they be issued named? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-medal-humanitarian-king-charles-b2380342.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12328833/amp/King-Charles-launches-new-medal-continues-support-charity-public-sector-workers.html https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66267872.amp https://www.forcesnews.com/humanitarian/military-personnel-eligible-new-medal-honouring-humanitarian-work https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/656616

A tribute to Rick (Research) Lundström, who could read, write and translate these scripts as easily as he could block print in English. http://www.kaiserscross.com/60401/481643.html I have included some period examples from around the world-wide-web. Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurrent https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sütterlin http://bowfinprintworks.com/Script10Pg5.html

https://gmic.co.uk/topic/69378-opinions-wanted-on-air-crew-europe-star/#comment-641555

Some further research references: http://www.rogersstudy.co.uk/medals/ww2_stars/identifying_fakes/identifying_fakes.html https://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/aircreweurpestarcopyfake.htm Images of a genuine Air Crew Europe Star from: https://www.liverpoolmedals.com/product/air-crew-europe-star-with-packet

Mecklenburg-Schweriner Militärkriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse, 1914, from my collection. Top row: combatant's ribbon ("the blue ribbon") on the right, non-combatant's ribbon ("the red ribbon")on the left. Bottom row: in the middle, a more narrow ribbon, likely for a ribbon bar. Notice the variant on the right in the second image.

Mecklenburg-Schweriner Militärverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse, 1914. Source: https://www.militariazone.com/singles/mecklenburg-military-cross-of-merit-1914-with-minature/itm45699

Here are some better images of originals: Sources: https://grenadiermilitaria.com/product/national-faithful-service-medal-50-years-with-case-by-deshler-sohn/ https://www.jbmilitaryantiques.com.au/product/ww2-german-50-year-faithful-service-medal/

Not to digress, but for those unaware... George William Cann, the Canadian Merchant Navy seafarer mentioned in the sixth post ("July 1"), was granted award of the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal sometime in 2001, thusly: "On March 14, 2001, the Governor General extended the eligibility to individuals who served, but not as members of the military forces. Those granted eligibility were Canadian World War II merchant mariners; Auxiliary Services personnel, engaged and paid by the Canadian Legion, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the YMCA; The Corps of Canadian (Civilian) Fire Fighters who served in the United Kingdom and helped fight the fires during the Blitz; Overseas Welfare Workers and the Voluntary Aid Detachments; Ferry Command pilots and aircrew under contract to deliver aircraft from North America; and British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Instructors. On June 6, 2003, eligibility was extended to members and reserve constables of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who voluntarily served during the Second World War." From: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Volunteer_Service_Medal

On the surface, this looks like a genuine piece. Nonetheless, I don't like the "wobbly" inscription on the reverse. Given the gold-gilding to the wreath, the "50" should look about the same, as the number was also gold-gilded. That's a weird wear pattern. I also don't like the suspension loop at the top of the cross. It's too... "tinny". This cross looks strange to me. Certainly, the ribbon and pin bar on the reverse are likely genuine. These crosses are desirable, rare, and subsequently, expensive, should you find one. At best, this cross has been altered, but more likely, it's a fake. Below are some images of genuine crosses for comparison. Source (first image): https://www.germanmilitaria.com/Political/photos/N026290.html

graham's post... Now that's a really nice piece! Textbook! First time I saw a Brunswick steckkreuz was in the UVa. archives, in Charlottesville, Virginia, about forty years ago. Archivist had some First World War material... Pulled open a desk drawer and retrieved a wooden cigar box, so I took the box, found an empty table and got to handle the items. I seem to remember a small sign, about two inches tall and eight inches long, baked black and white enamel, which read "Hindenburg-Str." that had been removed from a door or a wall. Since then, I've only seen the Brunswick steckkreuz in photographs.

I'd love to see it. About forty-five years ago, I went to an antique shop on the way to Roanoke, Virginia, on US460 West. Place was huge. Like a football stadium huge. I bought a Deutsches Frauenwerk pin for about $15USD. It was the first Third Reich/non-military/civil item I ever purchased. I remember it was hallmarked "M1/72". Great condition. No enamel damage. I guess that's why I got nostalgic about it. As you may have guessed from my copious posts, I like the civil/non-military material. Kind of piques your interest in the "everyday life" of those places and times.

The "filled-in" DAF stickpins are likely the mid-to-late-war productions in zinc. I found a few nice examples on the world wide web. Sources: https://vdgmilitaria.com/shop/the-third-reich-1933-1945/civil-organizations/ww2-german-daf-stickpin-rzm-m1-36-berg-nolte-ag-ludenscheid/ https://www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com/gettysburg-battle/world-war-ii-militaria/original-german-nsdap-nazi-party-daf-members-lapel-pin-mitgliednadel-brought-home-by-a-u-s-veteran-certified-4/

I do wonder about those steckkreuze with different colored metal pins and hinges, and what looks like a bad soldering/welding job. Looks sloppily repaired with left-over parts, at the least, doesn't it?

This is a reproduction. In an original, the background fields on the obverse and reverse are much smoother. The split ring/suspension loop is a different color, which is inconsistent with the color of the medal, and the suspension ring looks seperately attached to the medal, which would normally indicate an early tombak issue rather than the later zinc ones. Most important, it lacks defined detail, an example being the acorns in the oak wreath as well as the stylized ribbons at the top and bottom on both obverse and reverse. These details look "fuzzy" on this medal. Couple of images of originals below. Sources: https://www.lakesidetrader.com/item.php?ID=31954 https://www.rjmilitaria.com/product/rad-4-year-long-service-medal-in-bronze/

Today is my second anniversary with GMIC. It's been Boffo! Educational, enlightening and entertaining. Thanks to all. Story from a popular American magazine about my dad's land of birth during the Second World War. He was living in Greenock, at six years of age, when it was published. Enjoy.

A wartime mention from a popular American magazine:

A few words about the U.S. Merchant Marine from their British allies.

Addendum: Below is the regulation from the U.S. Department of Defense specific to U.S. Merchant Marine personnel. "DoDM 1348.33-V2, December 21, 2016. SECTION 4: DOD CE&S MEDALS (pages) 53-54. 4.15. POW MEDAL. a. Introduction. The POW Medal, established by Section 1128 of Title 10, U.S.C., recognizes qualifying individuals who, while serving in a capacity with the Military Services, were taken prisoner and held as POWs. b. Award Category. Individual Service Medal. c. Award Criteria and Eligibility Requirements. ☆(1) General Eligibility Criteria. (a) The POW Medal is authorized for any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Military Services, was taken prisoner and held captive after April 5, 1917. The POW Medal will be issued to Service members and other personnel serving in any capacity with the Military Services, who were taken prisoner and held captive: 1. While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; 2. While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or 3. While serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. (b) The POW Medal may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Military Services, was held captive under circumstances not covered by Paragraph 4.15.c.(1)(a), but which the Military Department Secretary concerned finds were comparable to those circumstances under which persons have generally been held captive by enemy armed forces during periods of armed conflict... 2. (c) The period of service qualifying an individual for the POW Medal must have been honorable for the period of captivity which serves as the basis for award. 1. Any person convicted by a U.S. military tribunal of misconduct or a criminal charge or whose discharge is less than honorable based on actions while a POW is ineligible for the POW Medal. 2. POWs whose conduct is not in accord with the Code of Conduct contained in E.O. 10631 and whose actions are documented by U.S. military records are ineligible for the POW medal. (Page 55) (2) U.S. Civilian Personnel. The Secretary of the Military Department concerned will evaluate requests for award of the POW Medal to U.S. civilians and will award the POW Medal upon determining that: (a) The individual was serving in a capacity with a branch of the Military Services under the control and authority of the Military Department Secretary concerned. (b) The individual meets POW Medal eligibility criteria contained in ☆Paragraph 4.15.c.(1)."

U.S. Merchant Marines are awarded the Prisoner Of War medal for conflicts from World War One to the present. It was established on 8 November 1985. Some other "strictly military" awards have been granted previously, but seemingly are limited to the Second World War. To wit: "NAVY DEPARTMENT BULLETIN CUMULATIVE EDITION; 31 DEC. 1943 43-1391 --- Navy Awards to Merchant Marine Personnel Op18 C-jc, Serial 202913, 9 September 1943 ACTION: ALL SHIPS AND STATIONS 1. Authority is hereby delegated to the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, the Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, the Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet, the Commander United States Naval Forces Europe, the Commander THIRD Fleet, the Commander FOURTH Fleet, the Commander SEVENTH Fleet, and the Commander EIGHTH Fleet to make awards of certain Navy decorations to officers and members of the crews of the United States Merchant Marine ships operating with the Navy. The following policy will govern such awards: (a) Navy awards may be made to United States Merchant Marine personnel only when direct combat with the enemy is involved, or in case of especially meritorious service under combat conditions when members of a naval expedition. The latter is not to be construed as covering normal overseas convoys. (B) In such cases, Navy awards will be limited to the Silver Star Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, as appropriate. Major naval commanders to whom this authority is delegated are authorized to award these naval decorations on the spot as is now done for naval personnel. (d) All naval commanders, if not authorized to make awards themselves, will be meticulous in forwarding recommendations for awards to Merchant Marine personnel of such medals as may be considered appropriate. Such commanders, if serving directly under an officer authorized to make awards, will submit recommendations to that officer. Other naval commanders will submit such recommendations to the Secretary of the Navy. (e) All naval commanders will be meticulous in forwarding recommendations for awards to Merchant Marine personnel of War Shipping Administration medals to the Navy Department for further transmission to the War Shipping Administration. ---SecNav. Frank Knox." Sources: https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/167042-ww2-us-merchant-marine-war-zone-bar-certificates-ribbons-and-medals/ http://www.usmm.org/medalsmilitary.html http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/MerchantMarines.html https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner_of_War_Medal

The Soviet Union awarded the 40th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War to the merchant seamen of all Allied nations who participated in the legendary "Arctic convoys", primarily to and from Murmansk, during the War. The USSR, under General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, advertised and solicited applications from ex-merchant seafarers who qualified. The British and Canadians were the first, and most copiously awarded. Upon award, the recipients were placed on a perpetual list, ensuring they would automatically receive subsequent anniversary medals until their deaths (these "jubilee" medals are not awarded posthumously). Additionally, all surviving veterans of the Arctic convoys were awarded the esteemed Medal of Ushakov beginning in 2012. For the U.S. Merchant Marines, given the despicable, insulting attitude of the American government, and most of the American public, towards merchant seafarers, coupled with the hostile view of the USSR, recognition was slow, and grudging at best. Nonetheless, arrangements were made for these brave merchant seamen to receive the 40th Anniversary medals upon application. It was not until the 21st century that recognition for those non-military personnel who "did their bit" and then some, started coming more copiously. The first two images show the medal as awarded to non-USSR citizens, including Allied metchant seamen. Sources: https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/10/29/soviet-murmansk-medal-brings-chilling-memories-marylander-served-in-arctic-convoys/ https://militariabcn.com/product/ussr-medal-of-the-40th-anniversary-of-the-victory-of-the-great-patriotic-war-version-for-foreigners/?lang=en https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_Ushakov Not to digress, but the images below show awards to the U.S. Merchant Marine's British counterparts. Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-33252549.amp