JBFloyd

Gedeminas badges of the first, second and third classes are 48mm. badges of the fourth and fifth classes are 43mm. The differences come in the suspensions and the addition of a rosette to the fourth class. The entire suspension looks like a later addition in this photo. The fourth and fifth classes have very simple rectangular bars. Pkus, the ornate device has a strap on the revere for a backing riibon, which is not part of the Gedeminas order. The unit badge is far beyond by limited skills with Lithuanian insignia.

Air Force regs are similar to the Army's in that sense -- only 4 devices on any ribbon. If you have more than four devices, you go to a second ribbon (which takes the place of one device) with the devices on the first ribbon. This is most commonly seen with the Air Medal, but other awards do occasionally show up with this situation and that can lead to persoanl preferences trumping the regulations. I wore two Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbons -- one with a "V" and the other with the various oak leaf clusters. I simply looks better than jamming eveything on the first ribbon. In the 10+ years I wore them that way, only 1 person ever asked about the arrangement.

Laos, DPR. Medal of Labor, second class. It should be on a red/blue/red ribbon.

Dan, The various formats of the membership medal did not denote membership classes, but the amount the member wished to spend for his badge. The gold and enamel badge cost $15; the silver-gilt and enamel badge was $7.50; and the plain bronze version was $1.50. At the time the society was established (1898), $15 was serious money. BB&B was the premier manufacturer of society insignia at the time, specializing in the insignia of the men's societies. J.E. Caldwell, another major Philadelphia jeweler, specialized in the insignia of women's societies (DAR, etc). Tiffany made society insignia, but seemed to focus more on New York-related groups (e.g., Holland Society of New York.

The first medal appears to be the merit medal of the Order of Three Stars.

I was just talking to one of the few Iranian collectors around and he identifies the piece with the two Dannebrog badges as the Order of Science, first class. The order comes in three classes (1st - gilt, on a red ribbon with rosette; 2nd - silver, blue ribbon with rosette; 3rd - bronze, blue ribbon without rosette).

The RFC/RAF often used the MSM as an award for sustained service in the field. You'll find them to senior NCOs as well as junior personnel. There was really no other way to recognize them, as decorations were for gallantry. I have the BWM/Victory/RAF MSM to Flt Sgt J.R. Henderson, who was Captai Albert Ball's rigger. His MSM was certainly recognition of his part in Ball's record of success.

Commander in Chief, Pacific Flleet is CINCPACFLT, not CINCPAC. CINCPACFLT is a Navy position that reports operationally to CINCPAC, who is usually an admiral filling the joint billet. Arcane trivia for those who care -- or who can decipher Navy unit designations.

Sorry about the size of the photo, but Eric was a big man in many ways.

When Eric was alive, he was an incredible source of information. On a Sunday morning, I showed him a photo of a woman wearing an unknown sash of a Danish/German order. On Monday morning, he called me to identify the sash as part of an obscure ephemeral/religious order, and then name the woman as a minor princess of a branch of the Danish royal house who had family connections in Schleswig-Holstein. His research always matched that level of detail but, better yet, it was always written in a clear hand or typed -- his gift to the generations. Rick has substantial shoes to fill.

There was a sloop by that name, built in 1767 and wrecked off the Florida coast in August 1778. Also a sloop captured from the Americans in 1778. It was sold in 1782.

May the patron saint of endless tasks bestow appropriate measures of patience and protect you from the rigors of eternal squinting.

I can only pass along received information on this, as I've never had much luck removing verdigris. One friend uses automobile carburator cleaner and another says that extra virgin olive oil will help lift it off after a soak. The latter certainly smells better than the former, but both cause damage to the ribbon, so care is critical.

I recall a number of medals of this type flowing out of Hamburg 10-15 years ago. All on nice flat ribbons with the upper corners of the ribbon clipped off to prevent unraveling.

It's the French Medaille des Prisonniers Civils, Deportes et Otages, 1914-1918. He probably lived in the German-occupied provinces in WWI.

The Nishani Shefkat was established in 1878 as an award to women for heroism, sacrifices, helping theneedy and nursing the sick and wounded. It was awarded through the end of the empire. It went to both Turkish citizens and foreigners (one went to Mrs Lloyd Griscom, wife of the US ambassador c.1904, for here work in aiding earthquake victims.

The next to last is the vatican's Cross for Jerusalem Pilgrims.

And the reverse of the third class badge.

After a new scanner, the reverse of the first class star.

Essentially a World War II service medal, for services against the Japanese occupation. Thailand was allied with the Japanese at the beginning of WWII, and allowed Japanese forces free access in exchange for assitance in recovery of disputed territories. As the war progressed, however, the Thais got tired of the Japanese attitude toward them and started to resist, forming an underground that worked with the allies.

The ribbon ends show no age. Plus, the transitional schnalle also strikes me as an anomaly considering the period of the campaign medals.

He was apparently born "Ludovicus", but changed it to Louis later on. There seems to be only one photo of van Iersal, because this appears in every mention I can find with a photo. It looks like the top row is the Medal of Honor, French Medaille Militaire, French Croix de Guerre and Italian War Cross.

They are illustrated in the correct orientations (single point up on the third class and point down on the first class).

Werlich notes that it was given for political or military services in the final stages of the Burma gaining its independence. He also notes three grades of the order, but does not lay out how to distinguish them. That's one of the very few mentions of the order in the literature, and Werlich's info clearly came from contact with the Burmese embassy.

I seem to have beaten the image into submission. It's a third class of the Nishani Shefkat.