Taz

Excellent photos!! Did you notice that the para in post #5 is wearing the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) that we disscused in another thread on his award bar? The officer in post #9 too. regards Eddie.

Paul, I think the emblem in the middle is that of the Kingdom of Saxony (K?nigreich Sachsen) maybe that will help a little to further identify the epaulettes. The pattern in the sheild is the Royal Standard 1815-1918. Regards Eddie.

Yup James, Sounds like a good call. That would probably be under Labour Corps Auxiliaries,which is why its on the cover of the Osprey Book German WW II Woman's Auxiliary Service uniforms. This would be the basic service dress. Regards

Here is a list for you Paul. Army services: Signals Auxiliaries - Staff Auxiliaries - Economics Auxiliaries Navy services: Aircraft Tracking Auxiliaries - Air Warning Service - Naval Auxiliaries Luftwaffe services: Aircraft Report Service - Signals Auxiliaries - Staff Auxiliaries - Flak Auxiliaries Waffen-SS Auxiliaries Political services: Party Women's Movement - Eastern Territories Auxiliaries Red Cross Auxiliaries Labour Corps Auxiliaries Police Auxiliaries Regards Eddie

Paul, It's a German WW II Woman's Auxiliary Service uniform, I assume the badge denotes that she worked in the N?rnberg area. Regards Eddie

The Ostmedaille, formal name, Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 was established on 26th May 1942 by Adolf Hitler. It was designed by the commercial artist Ernst Krause, a member of the SS propaganda Company. It was awarded to soldiers who had fought in the first Winter campaign during the period 15th November 1941 to 15th April 1942 on the Russian Front. Award Critaria: 14 day participation in fighting or for Air Force personal 30 sorties. A soldier who had also recieved a Wound badge. 60 days probationary period. The award dates were later lengthened and finally ceased on 15th October 1944. It could be awarded by the Battalion commander or a higher officer. Reichsgesetzblatt vom 6. Juni 1942 Nr. 61 Seite 375: "Verordnung ?ber die Stiftung der Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille) In W?rdigung des heldenhaften Einsatzes gegen den bolschewistischen Feind w?hrend des Winters 1941/42 stifte ich die Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille). Artikel 1 Die Ostmedaille wird am Band der Ordensschnalle oder im zweiten Knopfloch des Waffenrocks nach dem Eisernen Kreuz und dem Kriegsverdienstkreuz getragen. Das Band ist rot, in der Mitte von einem schmalen wei?-schwarz-wei?en L?ngsstreifen durchzogen. Artikel 2 Die Ostmedaille wird verliehen als Anerkennung f?r Bew?hrung im Kampf gegen den bolschewistischen Feind und den russischen Winter innerhalb des Zeitraums vom 15. November 1941 bis 15. April 1942. Artikel 3 Der Beliehene erh?lt ein Besitzzeugnis. Artikel 4 Die Ostmedaille verbleibt nach Ableben des Beliehenen als Erinnerungsst?ck den Hinterbliebenen. Artikel 5 Die Durchf?hrungsbestimmungen erl??t nach meinen Weisungen der Chef des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht, erforderlichenfalls im Benehmen mit dem Staatsminister und Chef der Pr?sidialkanzlei. F?hrerhauptquartier, den 26. Mai 1942 Der F?hrer Adolf Hitler Der Chef des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht Keitel Der Staatsminister und Chef der Pr?sidialkanzlei des F?hrers und Reichskanzlers Dr. Mei?ner"

IVB, Great job!! at last we get to see this illusive Document. Humberto it would be very nice to see this translated into Cuban-Spanish that makes more sense rather than the online translator. I can't wait to see the first results Best Regards to you both, Eddie

The Navy Unit Commenation would merit the award of a Silver star Medal for heroism or a Legion of Merit for meritorious service to an individual. The Stars just denote the number of campaigns the unit served in. In this case six, which would mean it would be denoted by 1 silver and 1 bronze device The United States military issues bronze and silver and gold service stars, with a silver service star issued "in lieu" of five bronze. For instance, six campaigns, served on a campaign medal, would be annotated by one silver and one bronze service star. Regards Eddie.

Navy Unit awards DEFINITION. A unit is any ship, aircraft squadron, shore command or military organizational element composed of military personnel under control of a military command and charged with carrying out a military mission or function. GENERAL INFORMATION. To foster unit morale, incentive, and esprit de corps through prompt recognition of outstanding performance of group effort. Unit awards recognize entire organizations for outstanding heroism or achievement performed during periods of war, international tension, national emergencies, or extraordinary situations that involve national interests. They are restricted to the recognition of acts or services that clearly and distinctly, by nature and magnitude, place the unit's performance significantly above that of other units performing similar missions. They are not intended to recognize individual actions, but to acknowledge the combined efforts of the organization. The performance should be that which can be recognized adequately in no other way. The Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) and Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) may be awarded to units of the Army, Air Force or Coast Guard with concurrence of the parent service. Description of Unit Awards - Navy Presidential Unit Citation Awarded in the name of the President of the United States to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and co-belligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The unit must have displayed such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to have set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would be required for award of the Navy cross to an individual. Authorization: Executive Order 9050, 6 February 1942 Navy Unit Commendation Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against the enemy, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation; or to any such unit which has distinguished itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat but in support of military operations, rendering the unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service. To justify this award, the unit must have performed service of the character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Silver star Medal for heroism or a Legion of Merit for meritorious service to an individual. Authorization: ALNAV 224 of 18 December 1944Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Awarded by SECNAV, CNO or CMC to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself, under combat or non-combat conditions, by either valorous or meritorious achievement which renders the unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. To justify this award, the unit mush have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of the Bronze star medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. Authorization: SECNAV Notice 1650 of 17 July 1967 Hope that helps, Regards Eddie.

Bronze Star Device etc. Criteria: A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service medals, ribbon awards, and certain military badges. Service stars are different from award stars, which are issued for multiple awards of meritorious and combat decorations. The United States military issues bronze and silver and gold service stars, with a silver service star issued ?in lieu? of five bronze. For instance, six campaigns, served on a campaign medal, would be annotated by one silver and one bronze service star. In some situations, service stars are only issued after the second award of a decoration. For instance, three awards of a Sea Service Ribbon would be annotated by the ribbon with two bronze service stars. The United States Army also occasionally issues award numerals, instead of service stars, to denote multiple awards of certain ribbon decorations. In addition to award numerals, the United States Army uses the same Gold award star that is worn on many Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard decorations to denote the tenth and final award of the Army Sea Duty Ribbon. Service stars issued for actions in which a United States Navy vessel participated are also placed on campaign streamers, which are affixed to the U.S. Navy flag. The regulations for this originated in 1942, which defined naval campaign areas and designated engagements. Participation in such engagements, by ships and by individuals, was then denoted by service stars. The United States Army followed a very similar practice with ground campaigns and battle engagements. A common point of confusion is to confuse bronze and silver service stars with the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal. The main difference between the two is that the Bronze and Silver Star Medals are individual decorations while service stars are worn on awards and are not individual decorations or medals.

Strange isn't it, The main reason for it not being allowed is that the GSM 1918- 1962 had the "Brunei" Bar and the GSM 1962 the "Borneo" and "Malay Peninsular" bars which were for this conflict. And rules state that no medal can be worn for an action in which a British medal has been issued. And of course not forgeting that it is a commemorative Medal, remember the fuss about the Soviet 40 years of Victory (1945-85) jubilee medal? With regards to the Suez medal here is part of a letter written by lord Bach (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence) We are pleased to announce that Her Majesty The Queen has graciously agreed to the institution of the Naval General Service Medal 1915 to 1962 and the General Service Medal 1918 to 1962 with the new clasp "Canal Zone" for service in the Suez Canal zone. Command Paper No 5999 is laid before Parliament today detailing the criteria for this award. My department's medal offices will now commence the award to eligible Suez veterans. Tony Blair confirmed the servicemen - sometimes called the "Forgotten Army" - would finally be recognised with a general service medal and a new commemorative "clasp" By the way, the wear of the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal was approved in 2005 by the Australian, New Zealand and Fiji govenments. regards Eddie.

30.8. 2007 An Army veteran from Runcorn who received a medal for 'the meritorious acts and supreme sacrifices' he made more than 40 years ago has been told that he is not allowed to wear it. Christopher Threlfall, of The Knoll, Palacefields, received the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal at a presentation ceremony in Stockport alongside more than 200 former soldiers.But the medal can only be worn in very limited circumstances - between August 15 and September 9, during the main independence celebrations in Malaysia. Malaysia became an independent country 50 years ago tomorrow, on August 31, 1957. Permission to wear the medal at any other time, including Remembrance services and other military parades, will not be given. Mr Threlfall said: 'I think it's unfair that the British Government said we can't wear it because it is a foreign medal. 'No-one is going to stop me wearing it. 'A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'It is long standing Government policy that non-British medals will not be approved for events or service that took place more than five years before initial consideration or in connection with events that took place in the distant past, or if the recipient has received a British award for the same service. 'Mr Threlfall said: 'I joined the Army in 1959 when I was 17. My first overseas posting was to Malaya in 1962 and there were riots in Singapore when we first arrived.'We were basically a radar section but we also had to go out in the jungle on patrol.'He said: 'It was one continuous stint from 1962-65.'The years in the army were the best years of my life.' The Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) is a medal given by the King and Government of Malaysia. The name translates into English as the "Malaysian Service Medal". It was created in 2004 and is awarded to British and Commonwealth forces who served in Malaysia during the Malayan Emergency and the Malaysian-Indonesian Confrontation periods. The award is in recognition of their "distinguished chivalry, gallantry, sacrifice, or loyalty" in contributing to the freedom of independence of Malaysia. The medal can be conferred and accepted posthumously by next of kin. Eddie.

I'll keep a look out for you and if anything turns up i'll let you know. In the link it states the ranks of the men lost but no names. Regards Eddie.

Interesting little story. Brothers in Arms , is a tale of two countries: South Africa and Cuba, and of a family separated by 40 years of exile. It tells the story of Ronald Herboldt, the only African to participate in the Cuban revolution, his love of his adopted country, his Cuban family and his determination to come home. http://www.idol.co.za/brothers_in_arms_press_release.htm Regards Eddie.

Hi Rick, Not exactly "Christmas" trees, but at least they are wearing them

Hi Mossop, both Medals certainly do exist, http://www.kgl.de/KingsGermanLegion/geschi...eger636_640.htm PM sent regarding the Brunswick Waterloo Medal. Regards Eddie.

Hi Geoff, If you were able to find out which company and troop he was in it might help you with your search. 42 CDO were involved in the following actions (Battle honours in bold): 1982 Apr. 21-26 South Georgia - M-Coy 1982 May 21 San Carlos Landings (42 CDO, Brigade reserve before seizing Mount Kent) 1982 June 11-12 Mount Harriet ( J-Coy, K-Coy 1,2 & 3 Troop, L-Coy 4,5 & 6 Troop) 1982 Apr. 2- 1982 June 14 Falkland Islands 1982 Regards Eddie

Hi Barry, The more common names seem to be the Kittanning Destroyed or Armstrong Medal. Some have rings some have not, so I would imagine both worn and carried. Apparently there are no known descriptions of the ribbon, if any, that went with the medal. http://www.coinlibrary.com/wpns/club_wpns_pr_kittanning.htm Regards Eddie

Well it's still undecided if the two "Vikings" will recive the VC, apparently the final decision will be made later this year by a committee of retired and serving generals. (Quote: Daily Mail) The process of awarding this most auspicious medal is shrouded in secrecy, and the Ministry of Defence said it would not comment on any speculation surrounding who is to receive one. Former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Guthrie said: "The committee is entirely non-political. It will reach its judgments based entirely on the merit of the citations." The soldiers themselves and their families are always the last to know if a medal will be awarded. Given the fierceness of the Anglians' campaign, which has cost the lives of nine of the battalion's soldiers and seen about 80 wounded, there is already strong backing inside the MoD for the battalion to receive two VCs. Lord Guthrie added: "The ferocity of the fighting is such that I am not in the least bit surprised that a couple of these young soldiers would be recognised. "The gallantry in Afghanistan has been of the highest order. The Victoria Cross is awarded on merit. If you do win a VC, my goodness me, you deserve it." The last time two soldiers from the same battalion received the VC was after the Battle of Imjin River in Korea in April 1951. The men were Lieutenant-Colonel James Carne and Lieutenant Philip Curtis of the 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment. Regards Eddie.

Manchester Evening News 16/10/2006 A PARATROOPER from Manchester has been nominated for the Victoria Cross for saving the life of a wounded American soldier while under fire from the Taliban in Afghanistan. Private Peter McKinley, 21, could become only the second living serviceman in 40 years to be awarded Britain's highest military honour. He endured a 15-minute barrage of grenades and machine-gun fire as he treated the US serviceman during one of the fiercest battles of the current campaign fought by the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment. Army chiefs are now putting his name forward for a VC for the "massive act of bravery". Pte McKinley was one of 100 Paras sent from their base to rescue an American supply convoy ambushed by Taliban fighters at Sangin in northern Helmand province. The Paras formed a defensive cordon around the Americans, but as night descended, dozens of Taliban, armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns, launched a blistering attack. Two American soldiers were badly wounded when grenades tore into the jeep where they were sheltering. First-aider Pte McKinley heard their desperate screams for help and ran across open ground to the vehicle as enemy rounds whistled overhead. He found the American sergeant had suffered serious facial injuries and other wounds including a broken arm, a neck injury, and fragments in his legs. Pte McKinley said: "They were still firing at us when I ran back to the Humvee. The sergeant was in a pretty bad way but my training just kicked in and I spent about 15 minutes looking after his wounds, stemming the blood and keeping his airway clear." Major Will Pike, the commander of A Company, described the soldier's actions as "massively impressive". He added: "He was very brave while completely disregarding his own safety. He also treated the American soldier beyond the level that as team medic he is expected to perform. We have a lot of private soldiers who are very young and just out of training but have proved very steady under fire." To earn the VC soldiers have to display conspicuous bravery or daring or perform a prominent "act of valour or self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy". An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm Pte McKinley provided medical treatment to a US soldier whilst under sustained attack." "On the 15 December 2006 the Operational Honours and Awards List was released and my son Peter McKinley was awarded The Military Cross (MC). Our family is so proud of him, and all the men and women who daily put their lives on the line for us. Keep supporting our troops". Jo McKinley (A Hero's Mum), Manchester 17/12/2006

This is a CDR medal (Committees of Defense of the Revolution) and will be awarded for the first time on the 28th September to 400+ members of the group as part of the commemorative activities for the 47th anniversary of the CDR. Regards Eddie.

Troy, Do they have any markings on the reverse? The list below shows the typical mint marks when written. The Order of the Patriotic War is a soviet award the MVD badges are newer, after 1990 Russian Federation Badges. мондвор - contraction for mint. монетный Двор - mint (for both Moscow and Leningrad) ммд - Moscow mint. ленинградский монетный Двор - Leningrad mint Regards Eddie

Troy, These awards are often sold as the Russian, for service in Chechnia Badge. However they are Russian MVD Internal Security Troops badges for Excellent Service. It was established in 1995, and has two classes. They are also awarded for service in Chechnia hence the incorrect naming. Translated, "F?r Dienst in Innenministerium" would be for service in the Interior ministery. These badges are widely faked, the original badges have hot, not cold enamel work and generally more detail, and are scarce. Best regards Eddie.

Hi Ed, Yes that's right. It was issued for the Zulu conflict but it wasn't made "exclusively" for the Zulu War. Battle Honours are, Isandhlwana, Rorke's Drift, Eshowe, Ntombi, Hlobane, Khambula, Gingindlovu and Ulundi. Hlobane and Khambula would be the honours for the action in the newspaper article. Campaign honours were awarded to cover all operations in South Africa in 1877-79 not only the Anglo-Zulu War From the link:- In 1854 royal sanction had been given for the award of a medal to the survivors of British regular troops who had served in any one of the three campaigns of 1835-36, 1846-47, or 1850-53, on the Eastern Frontier of the Cape Province. Designed by William and L.C. Wyon, this medal bears on the obverse a beautiful portrayal of Victoria as the young queen, wearing a coronet. The reverse shows a lion, half-crouching watchfully, behind a protea bush, with the date '1853' in the exergue. In 1880 it was ordained that the same medal should he awarded to all personnel - Colonial volunteers and native levies as well as British regulars - who had served in any of the campaigns in South Africa between September 1877 and December 1879, namely the Gaika / Galeka War, the Northern Border War, the lst and 2nd Sekukuni Wars, the Moirosi's Mountain campaign in Basutoland, and the Zulu War. A bar or clasp was to be attached to the suspender of the medal bearing the date or dates of the year or years in which the recipient had actually served in any of those campaigns. Military personnel who had been mobilized in Natal, but had not crossed the Tugela River into Zululand, were to receive the medal without any bar. Regards Eddie.

Thats right Rick no campaign medal was instituted exclusively for the Zulu War. However twenty-three Victoria Crosses and 15 Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded meaning that this conflict can't be forgotten. Hlobane (Zlobana) and Khambula would be the Battle honours for the action in the article. Here is an interesting article about the various Medals of the Zulu war from 11th January to 1st September, 1879 from the South African Military History Society including the native Zulu decorations. http://rapidttp.com/milhist/vol044fm.html Regards Eddie.