Paul R

Thank you for this educational write up. What does the market look like for these swords? I have to say that they have a desirable historical significance to them. Are examples like the you have pictured very expensive? How sharp did these cavalrymen keep their blades? I know that we were instructed not to sharpen our bayonets.

Yes- lets see the documents please!!

I really enjoyed looking at those images. Most seem really early into the war. I especially like the last image with the NCO wearing the officer's long sword. Very cool.

Great match up. What are the odds they belong to the same owner? Is this a common combination?

Very cool. Where did you find the house photo? Was the paper clipping in the box?

CONGRATS!!!!! This is big news.

This is a great photo. Unusual uniform configuration for outside of Africa.

That one is tough... I cannot make it out.

Thanks Uwe. Side by side like that, there is an obvious difference.

This is sad... there are more (and more attractive) medals for civilians and government officials than members of the military.

Thanks Gordon. I had no idea of this unit until I met my collecting friend.

Thank you Uwe. How about the higher military equivalent? Same sort of deal? I am I correct in that the bronze, silver, and gold merit medals also double as long service awards?

That shade of blue is a bit light in tone. Do you think that it could be from the flash?

Thanks to my friend, I now have the entire uniform for this officer. I love the embroidered beret insignia. Better view of the embroidered beret badge

Another beautiful award. How possible is it for enlisted or NCOs to receive this? What sort of deeds are required for this award?

Those are amazing. I like the added detail of the blue cord at the base of the shoulder strap. Is this optional?

I am sorry to have been so quiet lately. I've had a lot of things (good) going on lately, so I have not been as attentive as I should have been. The photograph discussed here is of the original soldiers who received this highest order along with Mutschke http://www.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/luftwaffe/!ut/p/c4/TYpLCsMwDERvJCUWtdPueoo23TmxCQJ_glGaHr_yolAevGGYwRcqxb9588K1-IRPnFe-LSekEz6QY2C_cAr46M8QYa0lSrfEIqzempfaYK9NUl-O1nQBDjjTSBeaTCQio-6NNC0ZGv6xEzkanKYd6eqcGX7gnvP9C59qOjI!/ and https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Träger_des_Ehrenkreuzes_der_Bundeswehr_für_Tapferkeit If you click on the image on the Wiki page, it enlarges twice... the final enlargement makes all insignia very clear. The Sani is wearing a subdued Combat Medical Badge from the US Army.

He looks as if he were in the hotseat action wise for a lot of his time.

Nice find Larry.

Number one! I've never seen one before. How many were awarded?

It is a very interesting book. Was he awarded any decorations?

Nothing be forgotten other than the production and distribution of this medal. LOL

I've never seen one of those in person. Thank you very much for posting them. I would not really want to be moving those guns around, even with those ropes.

I was able to pick this and a few other of this prominent officer's uniforms up from the base lucky bag. Google the name and you will see that he has been selected by the President to head up the TSA (A job I would not want). Because of this designation, he is rushing to retire in a few weeks and start his new job. He is the Vice Commandant of the US Coast Guard (second highest ranking officer for the entire service). I feel so lucky to have been able to claim his uniforms before they were disassembled. I also have his digital green NSU and a set of the Coast Guard working blues. I am trying to obtain a dress jacket of his. I am sure that he has several. Maybe he will donate a few after his actual retirement. In the photo below, he is in the center of the men with the desert uniforms

Can you please provide a shot of the reverse?