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Resistance Decoration was awarded in two classes denotated by one or two stars on the ribbon. Two stars is the First class and one star is the Second Class. The planchet is 1-1/16 in. from point to point. KHANG CHIEN (resistance) is inscribed on the obverse bottom. Bob

Resistance Order in First Class (three stars), Second Class (two stars) and Third Class (one star). It was awarded to units and personnel for outstanding military service or service supporting resistance against the enemy. The planchet is 1-1/2 in. from point to point. Bob

Reverse of the Decorations. Bob

The Victory Decoration is awarded to Personnel who had three years service requirement but not five to be awarded the Victory Order. It was awarded in two classes and had the official red enamel and the version with the gilt center. Chien Thang (victory) is inscribed below on obverse. Bob

Reverses of the Orders. Bob

The Victory Order was awarded in three classes. The first Class was awarded to personnel at the Regiment or Division Level, the Second Class to the Company, Platoon or Squad level and the Third Class was awarded to NCO's and Enlisted Men. The classes are recognized bt the number of yellow stripes on the ribbon (First Class has three stripes, etc.). This Order was awarded for Army Service length of at least five years and good conduct during this time. There are two versions to this award, one with the official red enamel center and one with a gilt center. The penchant is 1-3/4 in. from point to point. Shown are two different red color (painted) and enameled centers. Bob

So, what do the different insignia in post #729 and #730 represent? Are they for artillery, foot soldiers, etc? Should they be in pairs to be a complete set? Bob

Lorenzo, Who or what are all these insignia for? Are they all military units? Bob

Soldier of Liberation Order in plastic presentation box. This is the most common box used and the award is not fitted to the box. The one picture shows the clear plastic lid and the other has the lid removed. Bob

Reverse of Order and Decoration. Bob

Order of the Soldier of Glory (left picture)and the Soldier of Glory Decoration (right picture). The Order is found in three classes. The first class has three yellow stripes, second class two yellow stripes and third class has one yellow stripe. It was given for nine(first class), seven (second class) and five (third class) years of meritorious service . It has the red flag and "Resolved to Win" stamped on it and "Soldier of Glory" on the bottom. The star is 1-3/4 in. from point to point. The Soldier of Glory was issued in one class. It was awarded for 3-5 years of service with no discipline in the PAVN. The star is 1-11/16 in from point to point. Bob

Mervyn, I have had this sword about 20 years and the person whom I bought it from had it +or - 20 years and you are not going to break this blade by leaning on it as I've tried. Bob

Yes, there were other year (1861,1862,1863, etc.) that were used but the 1865 year blade apparently were made too late to be used in the war. Bob

This is an award document and award for a Combatant Order Third Class. Bob

Reverse of Order. Bob

This is the Combatant Order Third Class (one star) and Second Class (two stars) and was awarded for bravery in battle. It is 1-5/8 in, from point to point on the planchet. It is made out of aluminum. It was awarded to Officers, heroes, high ranking PAVN Personnel, Sapper Units and battalion and larger size units. Also shown is the corresponding chest ribbon. Bob

Makre mark. Bob

This is my Model 1860 Cavalry Sword with the maker mark of C. Roby W. Chelmsford, Mass. and US/1865/A.G.M. It has a 35 in. long blade. It is my understanding that this year of swords were made too late to see action in the American Civil War or also known as the War Between the States. Bob

A commemorative badge for the founding of the Special Forces Sapper Branch - date of 19-3-1967. Planchet is 1-3/8 in. from point to point. Bob

The Military Exploit Order comes in three classes and was awarded to individuals and units for outstanding performance during combat. First and second class were awarded to smaller units and the third class to Battalion size and larger. The order is made of aluminum, 1-3/4 in. point to point and total height is 4-1/4 in. The planchet is attached to the ribbon with a small gold wreath. "Order of Military Achievement" is inscribed on the obverse of the order. The third class is shown. Bob

Close up of the Peoples Armed Forces Hero Decoration. Bob

People's Armed Forces Hero Decoration, 1-11/16 in. from point to point, 2-1/4 in high and made of aluminum. It is awarded to PAVN members for heroism and is the second highest award . It could also be awarded to units. Above-heroes Below-Peoples Armed Forces Bob

This is the obverse showing the complete Order and the fastening pin. Bob

This is the Gold Star Order which is the highest honor awarded and is equivalent to the Hero of the Soviet Union Medal. Very few of these Orders have been awarded (16 as of 1997). It is approximately 1-1/2 in. from point to point and is gilt plated. This example was purchased in 2003 from a dealer in Hanoi as an original example from the Vietnam War era would be almost impossible to obtain. I have posted this example here to show what they look like. The Vietnam Wat Era fastening pin would be a simple bent wire. There are many reproductions of this award claiming to be "original Vietnam War" for sale but some of them don't even have the wreath and laurel branches on the reverse or they are too large and sloppily done. According to Edward J.Emering, in 2007 there was a major change in the Awards of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (combined North and South Vietnam). He has written an article about the changes in the January-February Issue of the Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America. Bob

Stewy, Thank you for your reply. Bob