Kvart

Just to be sure, this is a modern reproduction, right?

The last years I have been focusing on Belgian decorations awarded for service in the Congo free state and Belgian Congo. Several hundred Nordic officers, sailors, doctors and lawyers also served in the colony. I’m wondering if any of them were awarded The Order of The African Star. So far I have not found any documentation supporting such awards. I know the Norwegian officer Kristian Rikardsen Løken (nicknamed Congo Loken) was awarded the silver medal for service in Belgian Congo during World War I, but I’m not aware of any awards of the order itself to Nordic citizens. Do you guys know about any such awards?

Looks like the faded ribbon of the KNBLO-medal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_for_the_Four_Day_Marches

It looks like the grand cross (GCBE) to me. Look at the top ring. A commander, CBE, should have the ring turned 90 degrees, for the ribbon running through the ring and around the guy's neck.

I am in the need of the ribbon to this medal. Where can I try to get the ribbon?

I doubt it's Nordic.

Based on the collar patches and the ribbons, I would say he is a private from Finland. Looks like he is wearing the ribbons of the medal 2nd class of the Order of the Cross of Liberty (wartime) and the Winter War Commemorative Medal. Try google for more information and pictures of these medals. So the picture might be from 1940 onwards.

Cool! Are the stars named?

Wow, that was one really interesting group! The third medal is Norwegian. It is the medal of honour of the Norwegian Reserve Officers' Federation, post 1976 (or so) version: http://www.medals.org.uk/norway/norway032.htm It is awarded for service to the Federation and the case of the reserve officers. Many were awarded to senior representatives of the other Scandinavian reserve officers organisations. The Norwegian Reserve Officers' Federation was established as the Conscript Officers' Association (in Norwegian: Vernepliktige offiserers forening) in 1896. It's medal of honour was identical to the one shown here, but with light blue ribbon and on the lower part of the medal, the letters "VOF" could be seen - just like the upper part shows "Pro patria". In 1976 (or so), the association changed name to Norwegian Reserve Officers' Federation. The ribbon was changed to the ribbon shown here, but the stamps for the medals were keept. However, the VOF-letters were from now on machined away. But you can still see two letters on the medal shown here, V and O. I think the British War Medal might be a local Danish production. Very nice group!

I have done some research on this chain, under the assumption the guy is Finnish and was awarded the grand cross of The order of St. Olav between 1906 and 1936. I looked through the Norwegian State Calender from 1925 to 1936. It lists (almost) every award of an official medal and order each year, the grand cross included. Prior to 1925 it lists every (at the moment known) living recipient of the grand cross, and those lists are not easy to search in. It's better to check a known name, than look for everyone listed as Finnish citizen. Anyway, the following Finnish gentlemen were awarded the grand cross form 1925 to 1936: 1936 - Hackzell, A. V., mininster of foreign affairs, July 6th - Wuolijoki, H. R. W., minister, July 6th - Svinhufvud, Pehr Eivind, president, July 6th (awarded the collar of the order at the same date) 1931 - Virkkunen, E, dr., Finnish "kontraktprost" (contractual priest?), July 7th 1928 - Aura, M, minister of internal affairs, June 9th - Cajander, A. K., professor/CEO, March 16th - Malmberg, K. L. T., major-general, June 2nd - Niukkanen, J., minister of the treasury, June 2nd - Procopé, J. H. F., former minister of foreign affairs, June 2nd - Pulkkinen, Y. R., former minister, June 2nd - Stenroth, O. E., senator, June 2nd - Tulenheimo, A. A., professor/mayor of Helsinki, June 2nd - Åkerman (Aakerman), B. A., major-general, June 2nd 1926 - Relander, Lauri Kristian, former president, October 4th (awarded the collar of the order at the same date) - Sihvo, A., major-general, October 4th - Sunild, J. E., minister of agriculture, October 4th 1925 - Carstén, J, CEO, January 25th - Ignatius, K. Y. B., supreme court justice, August 14th The Finnish order of the Olympic Merit was instituted in 1952 related to the summer Olympic games held in Helsinki that year. It consisted of only two classes, 2st class worn as an ordinary knight order, and 1st worn as commander. Your guy was awarded the 1st class (silver wings on the miniature). From what I can see, a total of 283 awards of 1st class were made. Only 116 were awarded to Finnish citizen. Find a list of these 116 and compare it with the names above, and I think you might have a winner

On The Order of St. Olav, would you say the wings are gold (grand cross) or silver (commander)? The small lion above the crown indicates 1906-1937 award. If we can assume the miniature is identical to the order he actually was awarded, that might narrow it down even further.

Very nice collection!

I got this picture from one of Kuenker's auctions. It shows another Swedish group. The award of Medal of Freedom to a Swede, is not mentioned in Ingraham's book.

Please allow me to correct me self. The book "Norge I Korea" by Pedersen only deals with the NORMASH and its place in Korea. This book does not list all the recipients. But all participating Norwegians in NORMASH are however listed in the book "NORMASH Korea i våre hjerter", published by Norske Koreaveteraners forening (Norwegian Korean veterans association). Both books are only in Norwegian.

Yes, of course. It makes sense that the orders had to be returned, as is common for some Scandinavian orders. But I did not know that Swedish orders should be returned, I thought it was only St. Olav and Dannebrog. However, with the Danish Dannebrog it is usually only the insignia that is returned, while the ribbon is still left in the group. But for Swedish orders both insignia and ribbon are returned?

Very nice. Do you know what medals or orders it's missing? And why do so many Swedish medal groups have their high ranking awards removed?

Yes, the book is "Norge i Korea" by Ulrik Lorentz Pedersen. Not so easy to find, but it turns up every now and then. Hope you find it soon.

Thank you kimj. No, I'm sorry, I don't have more NORMASH stuff, a part form a single medal and maybe a miniature. I have not seen many documents related to NORMASH, as a matter of fact I have never seen the award diploma for the medal either. But I have a book that lists all the recipients.

Used on old ammunition bags?

But there is WW2 service noted. The first ribbon is for service in the Norwegian campaign 1940, and service abroad after that (the rosette) or service during the liberation in 1945. I'm sorry, but unfortunately I did not save pictures of the entire uniform.

I saved this picture with ribbons on a Norwegian lieutenant colonel uniform that sold on an online auction site four years ago. - Participation medal 1940-45 (Norway) - The Korea medal (Norway) - Armed Forces defence medal (for 25 + 5 + 5 + 5 (the stars) years of service) (Norway) - Medal for completing conscription, army (+ 4 + 4 + 4 (the stars) years of service) (Norway) - War service medal (South Korea) - UN Korea - UNEF - UNIFIL - Medal for service in the independent Norwegian Brigade group in Germany 1947-53 (Norway)

From my own collection, is this typical Norwegian Korean war bar. The first medal is the Norwegian Korea medal, awarded to the about 610 Norwegians who served in NORMASH.

And then there is this, belonging to Herbert Sulzbach. Source: http://ehive.com/account/3566/object/14972/Herbert_Sulzbachs_Medal_Group#!prettyPhoto

I have now posted a picture in the thread kimj is refering to.

This miniature group sold on a Swedish online auction site some time ago. The first medal is the Royal medal for zeal and honour.