JPL

Hi Guy, The Order of the Oak Crown (Ordre de la Couronne de Chene) was founded on December 29, 1841 by King William of the Netherlands acting as Grand Duke of Luxembourg to honor civil and military merits of the inhabitants of Luxembourg. As for your question about this medal being awarded for Luxembourg Korean War veterans, I checked by copy of Honors, Medals and Awards of the Korean War 1950-1953 by Kevin R. Ingraham and Luxembourg is not mentioned at all. Hope this helps. Jean-Paul

Thanks for the image of this rare Order. Jean-Paul

Another interesting news story regarding the legal battle regarding the medals of Col John McCrae author of In Flanders Field: A dispute over the ownership of Col. John McCrae has been resolved. It will see the medals remain on permanent display at the Guelph museum located at the famous soldier-poet's former home. Read the complete article: http://www.guelphmercury.com/opinion/columns/article/668830--questions-remain-in-legal-effort-to-keep-mccrae-medals-in-guelph Jean-Paul

Not too often we see news items are the awards of Guatemala. Consul a.h. Mellie Ablaza is making waves in an admirable way, going about her pursuits in ways both illuminating and inspiring. Recently, the Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala, Byron Escobedo conferred on her the Diplomatic Order of Antonio Jose de Irisari, to the degree of Grand Officer. A reason to bask in glory, since the award was issued by the Guatemala President and Chancellor in recognition of Consul Ablaza’s “Outstanding service with utmost professionalism in reinforcing the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Guatemala and the Philippines. Read the complete story: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/351109/medal-diplomatic-order-conferred-honorary-consul-mellie-ablaza Jean-Paul

Here is an interesting news story: A Czech soldier serving in Afghanistan’s southern province Logar has been awarded the United States Armed Forces Bronze Star Medal. Staff Sgt. Michal Novotný who is squad leader of the Prostějov reconnaissance unit was decorated for helping to save the life of an American soldier. Read the complete story and view images of the recipient: http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/czech-soldier-in-afghanistan-decorated-for-bravery Jean-Paul

Hi Bill, According to my copy of "The Decorations and Medals of the Republic of Vietnam and Her Allies, 1950-1975" by John Sylvester and Col Frank Foster, this is the Hamlet Common Defence Medal which was authorized in 1963 for services in connection with the First Republic's National Revolution Program. The ribbon is green 4mm, red 1mm, green 3 1/2mm, brown 3 1/2mm, red 1mm, brown 2 1/2mm, red 1mm, brown 3 1/2mm, green 3 1/2mm, red 1mm, green 4mm. The above reference also states that no official documentation has been seen for it, but it appears an authorized award that became obsolete with the fall of Diem and the end of the strategic hamlet program. No ribbon bar or miniature of this medal have been seen. As for rarity, it is rated a 9 with 10 being the rarest, so looks like you've a good find. Jean-Paul

Frank, I saw an early "classified" draft of the proposed regulations for the SSM and initially, there was a NORAD bar included in the regulations. This got my interest, as I was at that time posted to a NORAD unit. But as you know, when the SSM was established, the NORAD bar had disappeared. Would be interesting to see why it didn't make the final draft. Jean-Paul

Here we go again. Found this interesting news article: The MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing re-introduced her Private members Bill that will create a Defence of Canada Medal (Cold War) in the House of Commons today with support from Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP, John Rafferty. “Its purpose is to formally honour the people who defended Canada from within Canada for the period from 1946 to 1989,” said Hughes. “It is intended to be awarded to individuals who served in the regular and reserve forces, police forces, emergency measures organizations, as well as civil organizations such as St. John Ambulance, all of whom were concerned with the protection of Canada from the threat posed by the countries behind the Iron Curtain.” The medal was conceived of by Elliot Lake resident, Ulrich Krings, who presented Hughes with a detailed proposal which she brought to the House of Commons in the last parliament. Read the complete article here: http://www.carolhughes.ndp.ca/post/hughes-tables-bill-to-honour-cold-warriors Here is the link to her Private Member's Bill for the creation of this medal: http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=5270504&file=4 Jean-Paul

Well, it was only a matter of time before "un-official" Diamond Jubilee Medals appeared. So for those that will not be receiving the official medal, there is an option. http://www.responsesource.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=69345 Jean-Paul

Thanks for this Frank. Perhaps Canada should look at a similar medal to reward CF pers and civilians who deploy each year to such places as Manitoba, etc. during flood season... Jean-Paul

Here is the lastest list of recipients: http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14390 Jean-Paul

Here is the link to the latest list of appointees: http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14386 Jean-Paul

Here is the link to the London Gazette for the official list which contains 28 pages: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/60009/supplements/1 Happy New Year to all. Jean-Paul

Could possibly be one of the many US WW1 service medal awarded by States, counties, or cities. Jean-Paul

Earlier this year Iraq’s Minister of Defense, Dr. Saadoun Al-Dlaimi, sent notice to the US Secretary of Defense authorizing the Government of Iraq Commitment Medal. The Commitment Medal is to be issued by the Government of Iraq to honor the service of the United States and its Allies during the Liberation of Iraq. Click on this link for complete details and a high resolution image of the medal: http://blog.medalsofamerica.com/iraq-medal-commitment/ Jean-Paul

Here is an interesting story behind the company (Birmingham Medals) that won the contract for the QDJM and it's owner Phil McDermott. Here is the link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8978346/Medals-from-collecting-them-to-making-them.html Jean-Paul

News article on the awarding of the Star of Kenya to a number of Kenyan soldiers and sailors. Also contains a lot of information on the recipients of Kenya's highest bravery award, the Uhodari Medal which was last awarded in 1987. Here is the link to the story: http://www.nation.co.ke/News/State+honours+fallen+soldiers+/-/1056/1295360/-/view/printVersion/-/jsj93rz/-/index.html Jean-Paul

Here is the link to the story: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/12/22/george-medal-awarded-to-a-world-war-ii-docks-engineer-returns-to-his-home-town-91466-29994039/ Jean-Paul

Late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il awarded his country's second-highest order to a spy who kidnapped a 43-year-old Japanese man in 1980, in recognition of the agent's "great contribution" to the nation, it has been learned. Sin Guang Su, 82, is wanted internationally in the abduction of Tadaaki Hara in Miyazaki Prefecture and is believed to have been involved in several other abduction cases involving Japanese nationals. After abducting Hara in 1980, Sin entered South Korea posing as Hara in 1985, but was arrested by South Korean authorities. According to investigation reports from the time, Kim Jong Il, then a secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, had ordered Sin in Pyongyang to abduct an unmarried Japanese man and impersonate him. After the abduction of Hara, Kim Jong Il invited Sin to an event in Pyongyang to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the birthday of his father, North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, in April 1982. At that event, Kim awarded Sin the Order of the National Flag 1st Class. This order is given to people who have made special contributions to North Korea in the political, economic or military arena. It was the highest honor in North Korea until the creation of the Order of Kim Il Sung in 1972. Read the complete article: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T111221005912.htm Jean-Paul

The controversy continues on this subject. Russia's ambassador to Britain has attached the government for not awarding an Arctic Medal, and the British Defence Minister has not helped the situation by some of his comments on the subject lately. Read the complete article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2075305/Fury-Russians-medal-snub-Arctic-heroes.html Jean-Paul

Eleven recipients from across the province will receive the 2011 Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. See the complete list with citation: http://news.ontario.ca/mci/en/2011/12/ontarians-honoured-with-medal-for-good-citizenship.html Jean-Paul

Arthur Clark of Tulsa was an Army paratrooper in World War II. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star, among other citations. Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/ourlives/article.aspx?subjectid=58&articleid=20111218_11_A22_CUTLIN263329&allcom=1 Jean-Paul

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, announced the names of 23 individuals mentioned in dispatches for specific achievements that have brought honour to the Canadian Forces and to Canada. View the list here: http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14383 Jean-Paul

German East Africa might be a possibility. Jean-Paul

A 10th Mountain Division Soldier who pulled passengers to safety from a burning tour bus July 22 on Interstate 90 was awarded the prestigious Soldier's Medal. Sgt. Jacob J. Perkins, 28, a forward observer with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, stood tall before the loud cheers and applause of his fellow Soldiers, his squadron, brigade and division command groups, New York State Police officials and a Canadian family he helped save from the fire. Read the complete news story: http://www.newzjunky.com/news/1213drum_hero.htm Jean-Paul