Richard LaTondre

Hi Paul, This is quite true. But I think that we have enough people out there that will share their bits of information with you. Perhaps once YOU have all of this data YOU may come up with some rhyme or reason for these marks. I have some old Japanese books on the Osaka mint that I will dig up for you. Believe me, you will have a lot of support from people, including myself, to help you in your project. Best Regards, Dick

Thanks John, This is good information and hope Paul includes a section on hallmarks in his forthcoming book. Dick

Yes Dieter - try http://www.jacar.go.jp and good luck, Dick

Yes I am allowed to wear it as it was awarded by an allied country for military services provided. It is worn in last place after all U.S. awards. This specific award normally has a number on the reverse or in lack thereof a designated blank area for the engraving of any additional data. I also, as well as many other Marines, have received similar awards from other countries such as the Republic of Korea and Vietnam. Welcome aboard and please tell us about yourself and the medals you collect. Dick

I was awarded this medal however there is a device attached to both the medal drape as well as the ribbon. it is the silver and blue miniature Nationalist seal. I notice that the People's Revolutionary Military Museum has a copy of this medal in its listing on page 112 of their catalog. A hole appears on the drape of the ribbon where this device should be. Dick

Thanks for the nice reference. I know you probably don't know the answer as you didn't design the 'chart', but what is the differnce between the first ribbon to the left in the top row and the fourth ribbon to the right in the third row. Is this source you have provided a seller of ribbons? I think I may have run across him when I was helping John Royston find a maker of rosettes. Dick LaTondre

sorry. It's http://www.jacar.go.jp/english/index.html

You might try http://www.jacar.go.ip/english/index.html

Thanks David. As you probably already know, Japan is one of the many countries that award the medals class based on the recipient's rank. Dick. P.S. what was the source of the excellent photo. The Japanese Colonel(?) awarding the medal has quite a rack!

A Marine stationed on Okinawa was recently awarded the Order of the Rising Sun: Marine on Okinawa Receives Japan?s Oldest Award Okinawa, Japan-based Marine combat correspondent Lance Corporal Monty Burton reported that Colonel Danny L. Melton was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun at the Ground Staff Office Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, July 11th. It was presented by Japanese General Ryoichi Oriki, Japan Ground Self Defense Force chief of staff. Melton won the award for his distinguished service in building positive relations between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and the U.S. Marine Corps during his time as the main attach? at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Melton is now the assistant chief of staff for community policy and planning, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Okinawa. The Order of the Rising Sun is Japan?s oldest award, first instituted in 1875, and is awarded to foreigners, both military and civilian, who have made outstanding contributions to promote foreign relations with Japan. Other Marines who have had this prestigious honor bestowed include the 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Michael W. Hagee, and General Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. LEATHERNECK OCTOBER 2008

Paul: The chemical process required to restore these items to their original state would be far to invasive. Your Great Grandfather saw fit to plate these items so if, as you say, you will never sell these pieces, keep them as he loved them If he had carved his initials in the stock of his carbine I don't think you would want to sand them out and re-finish the stock. They were his and he loved them the way they were. Just my thoughts, Semper Fi Dick

Roger that! As I mentioned to Hugh, there is a gentleman from the Chinese mainland, that is publishing some of my photos that are in the forthcoming book and I would like to inform him, that it is illegal. But based on his location . . . . .?

Thank you for your kind words Hugh. I hope to finish it this year. It should contain the Imperial Issues, The Republic Issues, The War Lord Issues, and some of the Nationalist Kuomintang Issues. Of concern to me at this time. is that a member of the Gentleman's Military Interest Club is publishing some of my photos. Richard

Unfortunately, you have reproduced copyrighted images that were lifted from either the OMSA Medal Database site or from my CD of the Harry Mohler collection. These images can only be used when given the proper attribution. Richard LaTondre

These are great photographs! Thanks for sharing them with us. Richard

Is there a possibilty that this is not a Japanese bayonet . . . . . . . .?

I believe that you are correct. It is the Silver Coronation Medal Rama IX. 35mm in diameter with white ribbon and alternating 5mm white/yellow stripes. It is in the Harry Mohler collection at Stanford. There is also, of course, the Gold Coronation Medal of similar design. Best Regards Richard LaTondre

Perhaps you could share the images on the OMSA database that have ID issues. I would be happy to examine them. Richard

That makes it much more clear. He is not wearing the Boxer Medal it is the 1894-95 War Medal. Thanks Dick

The fourth medal in your group is the General Cao Kun Commemorative Portrait Medal. He was the long time boss of Wu PeiFu. I have to get that book on Chinese warlord medals published! Dick

It looks as if he is also wearing the Boxer Rebellion medal and was under the command of General Baron Fukushima. Dick

Hi Enzo! What an amazing collection. With one exception, these are all Merit Medals awarded by the most powerful warlord of the Republican period, Wu Peifu. The first medal is a Wu Peifu Merit Medal (55x51mm), The second is a Wu Peifu Marksmanship Medal 40 x 47mm), The third I have not as yet identified (it is old), the fourth is a Wu Peifu Merit Medal 38x52mm), and the sixth one is also a Wu Peifu Merit Medal. Wu was a major warlord during this time and many scholars believe he was backed by U.S. and British interests. He fought the Nationalists as well as the Communists and was offered the puppet rule as monarch in North China by the Japanese government. He was born in Shandong Province in Eastern China in 1874 and died in 1939. These medals were issued prolifically to his followers during the period 1916 through 1927. A good description of the warlord activity during the period can be found in Edward A. McCord's book "The Power of the Gun" Dick LaTondre

Unfortunately That is a Chinese Communist replica complete with the standard Communist drapery.