Taz

Medalla "Abel Santamar?a" Given to young Cuban and foreign nationals for their revolutionary attitude reached in creative work; in artistic and literary culture; in sports; in struggle for the conquests of the Cuban or foreign young generation and for the consequent practice of the proletarian internationalism. Also, in exceptional cases, it can be given to other people for the same reasons or for contributing in an outstanding way to the integral formation of the young generation.

Reverse

Distinci?n "M?rtires de Barbados" (m?rito deportivo)

Medalla "De la Amistad"

Medalla "Haydee Santamar?a"

Interior ministry medals are often seen in the double wrapped style.

Interior ministry issue by the look of the obverse. Regards Eddie

Ouch Ed, That will be a hard one to find out I would tip Bulgarian Jubilee Medal "45 Years of Ministry of Interior" (1989) but only because of the 50 Years State Security ribbon is present. The second one I would say the same as you, 10 Years of Yugoslav Army" Medal. No real help at all but those two ribbon ID's will always be uncertain I think. Regards Eddie

Miniature Gold Stars exist, In Raul Castros recent foriegn visits he wore one. Regards Eddie

The latest try, any ideas guys? Top row: Medalla " Combatiente de la Lucha Clandestina" , Medalla "Eliseo Reyes" (I). Second row: Distinci?n "Por el Servicio en el Ministerio del Interior" (20 years) Third row: DPRK Foundation 20th Anniversary Commemorative Order (1968) Fourth row: Ho Chi Minh Order, DPRK order of labour. Fifth row: 50 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR, ?, 60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR. Bottom row: Soviet Medal for Strengthening Combat Alliance (1975), Bulgarian Brotherhood in Arms Medal (1975) , Soviet Jubilee Medal on 100th Anniversary of Lenin's Birthday, Unknown, possibbly Angolan (see the MPLA Poster) or Egyptian Medal of Exceptional Promotion? Row 3 (Medal for the War of 1939,1981) and 5 look like Polish ribbons?

Very nice and seldom seen, The earliest approved design for what was to become the Victory Medal. This earlier design was proposed in 1918 and comprises of the national colours of the victorious Allies. The design was approved, and manufactured in large quantity, before the decision to change to the familiar rainbow was made in 1919 or 1920. Large numbers were issued, but as ribbon only. At the time the ribbon was produced, no design for the medal itself had been made. It seems to have been mostly worn during the Victory Parade in London, 1919, in the absence of medals, these ribbons were produced and mounted for distribution to those marching in the parade. Regards Eddie

He he, way too easy well done Christophe!!! One of the most dangerous moments in the Cuban Missile Crisis was unrecognized until the Cuban Missile Crisis Havana conference in October 2002, attended by many of the veterans, at which it was learned that on October 26th, 1962 the USS Beale had depth-charged an unidentified submarine which was in fact Soviet and armed with nuclear weapons. An argument broke out among the three commanders with Vasiliy Arkhipov being against their use. He is thus credited with averting the breakout of nuclear war at that moment. Captain Savitsky, Political Officer Ivan Semonovich Maslennikov, and Second Captain Arkhipov were entitled to launch the torpedos if they agreed unanimously in favour of doing so. An argument broke out among the three, in which only Arkhipov was against making the attack, eventually persuading Savitsky to surface the submarine and await orders from Moscow. The nuclear warfare which presumably would have ensued was thus averted. At the conference commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis held in Havana on 13th October 2002, Robert McNamara admitted that nuclear war had come much closer than people had thought. Thomas Blanton, director of the National Security Archive, said that "a guy called Vasili Arkhipov saved the world." Regards Eddie

Ok guys I'll have a go Bit cryptic Three officers on board dancing Foxtrot? Two were for, one against WW III. Regards Eddie

Top row: seems to have the Medalla "Eliseo Reyes" (I) far right. Second row: Distinci?n "Por el Servicio en el Ministerio del Interior" (20 years) far right Third row: Fourth row: Fith row: Bottom row: Soviet Medal for Strengthening Combat Alliance (1975), Bulgarian Brotherhood in Arms Medal (1975) , Soviet Jubilee Medal on 100th Anniversary of Lenin's Birthday, Unknown, possibbly Angolan (see the MPLA Poster) or Egyptian Medal of Exceptional Promotion? Some seem familiar, you know the feeling? now where did I see that ribbon? I'm sure you know what I mean. Regards Eddie

Yep Vic, very good job there But your new pic makes me want to pull my hair out, It seems to be a different bar with no similarites at all and where is his Gold star? All I can make out right now: Bottom row: Soviet Medal for Strengthening Combat Alliance (1975) Bulgarian Brotherhood in Arms Medal (1975) Soviet Jubilee Medal on 100th Anniversary of Lenin's Birthday Unknown, possibbly Angolan (see the MPLA Poster) 10 year MPLA? Does that exit? Guys what are your opinions

HE HE , no Rick just thought I would add a little info and pics here, Regards Eddie

Update on the RPG - 29 ''Vampir'' penetration of a Chally II The RPG-29 that breached CR2, bounced off the ground and detonated under the tank sending a single piece of shrapnel through the belly, the driver lost some toes. A new armour package has been developed that increases protection against this type of damage (Mainly IED's/Mines) So it seems the frontal armour wasn't comprimised as was first thought. As an additional note this weapon was tested against T-80 and T-90 tanks and penetrated the frontal armour. Both the Merkava and M1 ''Abrams'' have been battle damaged by the ''Vampir'' Without being too biased, Chally vs which tank for the number 1 spot? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF3faiNsiow Regards Eddie

Here are all the Czech HSU's Otakar Jaro? (1.8.1912-8.3.1943) Jan N?lepka-Repkin (20.9.1912-16.12.1943) Josef Bur??k (11.9.1911-30.6.2002) Anton?n Sochor (16.7.1914-16.8.1950) Richard Tesař?k (3.12.1915-27.3.1967) Stěpan Vajda (17.1.1922-6.4.1945) Ludv?k Svoboda (25.10.1895-20.9.1979) Gustav Hus?k (10.1. 1913-18. 11.1991) Vladim?r Remek (26.9 1948-) All 44 foriegn HSU winners are to be found here : http://www.soviet-awards.com/forum/soviet-...sults-date.html My research is still ongoing as time permits. BTW After the Communists took power in1948 Anton?n Sochor died under strange circumstances in a car accident. Vladim?r Remek is the only Czech HSU still alive today. Regards Eddie

Odznak pro absolventy Zdravotnick?ho politick?ho učili?tě v Ru?omberoku ZU = Zdravotnicke U - Medical Orderlies

Odznak pro absolventy vojenskopolitick?ho učili?tě J. Hakena VPU = Vojenskopoliticke U J Hakena - Military Political School of J Haken

Odznak pro absolventy leteck?ho technick?ho učili?tě LTU = Letecke Technicke U - Air Force Technical

Odznak ceskoslovensk?ho partyz?na This badge was made at the Mincovna Kremnica in 1946, the original dies still exist today. It is ranked 45 in the list of Czech decorations. Awarded to anyone who had acknowledged partisan status with active service, 24.000 awarded. Also awarded to some of the Yugoslav partisans who were cooperating in Czech partisan formations.

Medal ?250th Anniversary of the University of La Habana?, created by Law Decree N? 12, of January 9, 1978, awarded till November 30, 1979, according to Law Decree N? 29, of October 27, 1979. With many thanks to Mr Vidal from the University of Havanna I am able to post one of the few remaining Cuban medals without any pictures. Regards Eddie

Thank you Christophe and Christian, I hope you don't mind if I defer on asking the next question? Please go ahead if you have one prepared. TIA Eddie