Christophe

You're welcome. Just have a look at pics of French veterans being "honoured" in official ceremonies. They generally are in civil clothes, and some of them wear these miniatures. Ch.

I agree with Coastie. Probably made in 1977, as the "celebrated" date in roman figures is "1777". Cheers. Ch.

Hi Chris, The miniature shown is in fact a civil one. But about your question : Miniatures are to be worn on civil clothes only (what we call in French "habit", which is a formal suit, but this "habit" is rarely worn today. They should not be worn on a tuxedo, which is considered as an "interior" cloth). They are never worn on uniforms. They can be worn by French and foreigners. There is a precise code about this, but nowadays, it is less strictly applied... Ch.

Nice one. In fact there are several variations. The mini one is correctly mounted (see the red gems...). Cheers. Ch.

Jan, Your turn now ? Just keeping the ball rolling... Cheers. Ch.

George, Difficult to say for sure. IMHO, that would be possible, regarding the design. Ch.

Cheers. Ch.

Don't forget the pic has been taken in 1965!!! Kim is correct about the HSUs and HSL dates. But his HSU #2 has not yet been awarded (1968). Cheers. Ch.

Hi Ed, They are celebrating the 20 Years of the Great Victory again Fascismus. Jukov is easy to recognise. But for the others... Cheers. Ch.

Jan, Super work!! Many thanks. Again, sorry for the uncomplete answer... but in all cases, you have won!!! Congrats. We are now waiting for your question... Cheers. Ch.

Hi Jan, 11 people and 17 stars!!!! And double checked!!!! I now hope I have not made such a mistake. If so, sorry for this. In all cases, you have perfectly found the (my) answer with Brezhnev and Bykowski. Bravo!!!! It's your turn now to post a question. Congrats again!!! Cheers. Ch.

Hi Jan, Good beginning. You are totally right about Brezhnev. All is correct... even the obvious reason!! For the 4th star : it is not Tichonov. Another try ? Cheers. Ch.

So, let's go now!!! Title Hero of the GDR (German Democratic Republic) This award ("Held der DDR", in German) was established on 28 October 1975. In total, only 7 people received this award. Among these 7, were 2 foreigners. These 2 received 4 stars in total. Question : 1. Who were these 2 foreigners ? 2. When did they receive their award(s) ? (Mention of the year only is OK) 3. Why did they receive them ? (For one of the two, the reason is obvious...) Good luck. Cheers. Ch.

Yes, I think so. Just back from work, now... and the time to think about it ... Cheers. Ch.

So, please, transmit my very best wishes to him. The way to wear foreign orders and medals by the Soviet has often been close to improvisation, and more exactly juxtaposition... Ch.

Where is Sharma's group located ? Moreover, what about the Soviet style mounting of the Ashoka Chakra ? Ch.

Ed, Many thanks for this superb set of questions !!!! It allowed me to learn a lot about this award, and again about the space conquest. If the answers I gave are OK, and if they don't need to be corrected; I would really be interested to know more about the way this Indian order is worn in the Soviet style. Again, many thanks Ed for this. Cheers. Ch.

Is it linked to the fact that a special modification of the statutes of the Ashoka Chakra has taken place for these three to get their Indian awards and, that those who trained as backup cosmounats for this mission (Indian and Soviet) got the Kirti Chakra (second class of the Ashoka Chakra) ? Ch.

Others, any idea... or help ? Ch.

Were all the 3 linked to the Soyuz T-11 Mission ? Ch.

Damned !!! I forgot this point... Ch.

Ed, Could it be Kalpana Chawla, the American-Indian who was one of seven astronauts dead on the Space Shuttle Columbia on Feb. 1, 2003 ? Ch.

Ha, ha!!! Let's go back to my sources... Ch.

Hi Ed, Superb question. Let's have a try... First : Are you sure they are three ? I have just found 2 of them... But, let's see... 1- Who were they? Two Soviet Colonels : Colonel Yuri Vasilevish Malyzhev and Colonel Gennady Mikhailovich Strekalov. 2- For what act of bravery were these awards given? When were they given? Indian Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma, and these two Russian colonels were awarded the Ashoka Chakra, for the sucessful completion of the Space Soyuz T-11 Mission. This mission lasted more than 181 days, from 3 April 1984 to 2 October 1984; The orders have been awarded on 2 October 1984. Extra credit: What other gallantry awards were given for this same incident? The three men have been also awarded the Gold star of Hero of the Soviet Union (HSU), and the Order of Lenin, the same day, on 11 April 1984. Extra-extra credit: Can anyone explain HOW this would be adapted for wear on a Soviet medal bar? Honestly, I have no idea... I have to check... I think it is wore separatly, not included in a bar... So, Ed, How did I do ? Cheers. Ch.