Paul R

You do know that the wrong shoulder boards are on the Border Guard tunic.

Beautiful tunic as well! It makes a great back drop for your RK. Are there only one set of loops for a badge? A fallschirmjager badge would look great! Everyone adorns their flight piped officer tunics with aviation badges. I thought that all glider pilots were NCOs?

Here are the specifics on the Purple Heart. I still dont think that it can officially be awarded to a non American(although I am aways open to seeing evidence leading to the contrary!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart

I would love to see some evidence of a Purple Heart being officially awarded to a Non US member.

Yes, if it placed the rescuer in peril. I have never seen this medal awarded to a non US service member before. Do you have the story of what happened, exactly? I have never seen a Dutchman with US awards before. I have seen lots of Germans with US awards, but not Dutch.

What betrays the ORB as fake?

David is correct. Specific Service DECORATIONS (Achievement medals and higher) and unit awards are the same for both the Marines and the Navy(since the Marines are under the Department of the Navy). Now days, these shared decorations are prefixed with Navy/Marine Achievement medal. I guess that it makes the grunts happier when they wear it! LOL

Is she still sleeping? I could only be so lucky!

Thanks Pinpon!

I have never heard of this medal before. What nation awarded this medal? Was it a valor medal?

It is in very nice condition! Congratulations.

Les, Thank you for the detailed explanation. This is a very informative thread!

The purple heart is for US Service members wounded as a result of direct enemy action. I dont see it being realistically awarded to foreign military members. I have never heard of unit citations being awarded to foreign military members either. I do see the Chaplain getting a Silver Star and the boat crew getting Bronze Stars from the US Govt. The USN expert shot medal is a qualification and not a decoration. If the Admiral gave him one, it would be as a sort of "ironic gift" that would not be official.

I think that the link was left for the purpose of reference versus promoting the site. If this is the case, I dont see a problem here.

I am surprised to see that they did not use the typical rainbow pattern on the WW1 Service/victory medal.

I am scared to think what that would sell for these days. It is a beautiful piece!

Spectacular photos, Sandro!! I really like the HG Division cake!

I am not a badge guy, but I am not liking it at all...

At worst, a complete fantasy piece. At best, an unofficial patriotic item.

Hello, I am not a medal specialist, but I do not like the looks of this one. The helmet has a funny shape and I do not like the general lack of detail. Just my take. Paul

Some of those dont look to be in too rough of shape.

That is interesting... I thought that the tabs were black. I guess they arent NSKK... Regardless, that is one hell of a score for a Pound!!

Can you please post an image of the underside of the collar as well as the eagle? It looks to be a really interesting piece.

I had no idea that the Germans adorned their aircraft with such graphics. Was this the case throughout the war?

All you need now is a 1914 pattern Wound Badge in black, to have his entire grouping!