heusy68

Hello Gentlemen, Very interesting. But it seems there was a first version. Watch photo of Valentina Tereshkova (first woman to go to space). She's wearing a breast decoration with a straight bar suspender that is the ribbon of the Order of the Volta of Ghana, but a different type of insignia (just next to her Grunwald Cross). She was awarded Order of the Volta in January 1964 http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentina_Vladimirovna_Tere%C5%A1kova I guess that the insignia awarded from the time of President N'Krumah were different. The later type is more commonly seen, even if still rare. And it seems that since 2008 they changed the ribbon & center medaillon. All the best. Emmanuel

Another nice detailed picture of what is said : Medaille du Merite National. (here with clasp : ACTION SOCIAL, which means for achievment in the field of social healthcare). Actually it's the same medal that the medal awarded to Lucien Naré (from a post I did some years ago). Lucien Naré who got his own medal, but probably with a different clasp for his action for the acess of blind people to braille typing machine & braille keyboard for computer. If anyone know one such a medal for sale, I'am ready to buy. Regards. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, at last I catch a correct picture of Burkina Faso Ordre du Merite Commercial et Industriel (Order of Commercial & Industrial Merit). Here with clasp : COMMERCE, so I guess that there shall exist a clasp : INDUSTRIE If anyone has one for sale, I'am always ready to buy. Regards. Emmanuel

Another gallantry award, but lower to Aung San medal, it's the Thiha Bala There is one on display in Nay Pyi Taw Army Museum. The same remark as above. I do believe that medal was institued somewhen in the 50ies ,but might have been continued to exist in the 60ies after the revolution of 1962. Emmanuel

Here , some whar I believe now obsolete medal The Aung San Medal for Bravery I believe this medal was instituted somewhen in the 50ies, but might have continue to exist in the 60ies....? Emmanuel

This is the usual kind of stuff visitor can buy, without ribbon, then you have to go in a remote place to get ribbon bar (that are 2,5 inches long)........ First row : Sithmuhtan That - Tatmadaw Gonhtowzaung 2nd Class - Naingan A Kyow Zaung Second Row : Sitpwe 1988-90 (Combat Medal) - Tatmadaw Gonhtowzaung 3rd Class - Sitpwe 1974-88 (Combat Medal) Emmanuel

Here is a medal that is more often met on Officers Group. It is Yan Nyein Aye : A Man of a Good Nation (translation from lapel scrip from National Museum Yangon where there is also medals on display, but strictly no photo there). Than Shwe was also wearing it (second row, second from left). It seems High Staff & General Officers got their medal heavyly gilded, and soldier in bronze. Or maybe as soldier could not get replacement of their medal, the gilding is often worn off. Regards. Emmanuel

According to soldier I spoke to at Army Museum in Nay Pyi Taw (in a "so so English"), this medal : Pyithuthargaung is the highest a soldier could expect, but you almost have to die for, to get it. There is one in the showcase of the museum, but apart that single one, I never ever saw (even the ribbon) on a medal bar of a NCO or Officer. Regards. Emmanuel

This is Burma Thuyegaung Hmattanwin. No more information.... If anyone can help, Ed ? Regards. Emmanuel

Here I'am listing some higher ranking awars of Burma/Myanmar Here is Sithmuhtan Thingaha. I was never able to get a full size (even without ribbon), but Lucky me, I got a miniature with its original ribbon. Miniature is gilded metal & 18 millimeters in diameter. I just can say it's an award for the 3 branchs of the armed force,a s in center are symbol of Army, Navy & Air Force. Anyone who got more information relevant to all thes emedals is most welcome to post here. Regards. Emmanuel

About these 3 I know very few. They are Tatmadaw Gonhtoozaung 1st Class (mainly purple ribbon), 2nd Class & 3rd Class (mainly green ribbon) Tatmadaw means Army or Military, but in officers group you often see these as ribbon or as full size medals. Enjoy. Emmanuel

There is 2 others Combat Medal ( Flu & Mela )........very hard to get, even without their ribbon. Sorry I have no more information on them. Emmanuel

Here the Sitpwe or Combat Medal with ribbon respective to different period of awards : 1962-1974 (gilded medal mainly dark blue ribbon), then 1974-1988 (silvered mainly yellow ribbon) , then 1988-1990 (bronze medal mainly green ribbon). But these ribbon are hard to get, from tailor shop you can get sheet of 2,5 inches no more..... Emmanuel

This is the Naingan A Kyow Zaung from Ministry of Defense web site. No more info about this medal. If someone can read burmese and read what is written on back side of the miniature group posted 2 post above, he's most welcome to make comment. When I asked in Yangon, I was reply : it's some sort of military.....people still scared about to give information, I guess. Emmanuel

This is the Burma Mineyan Methawaw Taikypwe (for the battle Mongyoung) Full size medal has a diameter of 32 millimeters. Very easy to get in Yangon (Rangoon), but with ribbon....incredible how hard it is to get a few inches of ribbon !!! Emmanuel

Here is a miniature group (even those are very hard to get). From left toright : Armed Force Long & Faithfull Service - Mineyan Methawaw Taikypwe (also refer as Mongyoung Methawaw Battle Medal) but it's 2 different way to design same battle - Naingan A Kyow Zaung - Sitpwe (1988-1990) or Combat Medal 1988-1990 On later post I will give more détails on medals. Miniature size are between 17 & 20 millimeters. Emmanuel

Here the rank decoration (it seems they exist only for the lowest NCO rank) RSM Rank (yellow ribbon with 2 tiny green stripes) Sergeant Rank (purple ribbon with large saffron yellow center stripe) Corporal Rank (dark blue ribbon with tiny red stripe at right hand side). By the way I have no idea what RSM rank means. All the best Emmanuel

These are the deocration for Army College : Military College Decoration for Officer - Command & General Staff College (ribbon with green outer stripes) Military College Decoration for Officer - National Defense College for Officers below General Staff rank (ribbon with bleu outer stripes) In Official Reception in Yangon I was some General wearing them. Emmanuel

The Burma/Myanmar Army has some rank decoration (2 post further), and some Training Course Award. Batallion Commander Training Course (light green ribbon with dark green central stripe) Company Commander Training Course (red ribbon with 2 blue stripes) Platoon Commander Training Course (blue ribbon with yellow stripe at left) Emmanuel

This is a picture of another Sithmuhtan That (with 4 white stripe at right hand side & 5 star on the enameled green bar). That green bar is suppose to be related to the current army rank (not 100 % sure). Below are ribbon bars with Sithmuhtan That ribbon on 2 row from bottom at right hand side, ounce with 3 white, ounce with 2 white stripes. So now you can see exemple of ribbon with 4, 3, 2 white stripes at right hand side (and a very tiny white stripe at left). To add to the mystery, the group posted above is a Sithmuhtan That with NO white stripe at right hand side , but with 2 very small white line at left hand side. Maybe different ribbon for NCO & for Officer ? Even having visiting their brand new Army Museum in Nay Pyi taw is not so easy to understand. It seems there was a system of awards before to 1962 Ne Win Revolution, one for the period 1962-1990....with some changes, and since 1990 there was some new changes in the shapes and ribbons. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, This is another Burma Group, with 4 Medals, the 2 first are well known, From left to right : Military Service Medal - Medal for Battle in People's War - Sithmuhtan That - Company Commander Training Course. It's extremely hard to get (cheap but hard to get) Sithmuhtan is a kind of long service award as long as I could understand. All the best. Emmanuel

These are others view of the same star. Reverse of the pin reads : STERLING The center is a separate very thin piece, that soldered (if so very neatly) or lightly hammered (then lightly polished). It is NOT a crude item at all. The way the craftman who did this piece did it, is very well. All the best. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, Long time ago, I was able to buy this medal on the british web auction site speedbid.com I knew it was a rare medal, then I asked to Prof Tammam of Basel, who replied me that it is the rarest medal in the world (with the always enthusiastic sound of his voice). Actually I do not like the thought "rarest medal in the world", there is plenty of rarities in phaleristic that only a handfull of specimen have survived over the years. This afghan medal is certainly one of the rarest. Mine seems to be mounted with its authentic suspension device, despite I guess that one could have been added late XIX or early XX Century by the soldier or officer who brought it back from Afghanistan to Britain. The medal is in silver, 43 grammes with ribbon & suspension device. The Star is 48 millimeters wide. Hope you'll envoy the photo. Emmanuel

Hello Megan, Nigeria got Independence from the UK in 1960, and Queen Elizabeth was then Queen of Nigeria till 1963 when Nigeria became a Republic. Malawi got independence from the Uk in 1964, and Queen Elizabeth was then Queen of Malawi till 1966 when Malawi became a Republic. For Malawi it exist an Independence Medal 1964 (with Queen Elizabeth on obverse), and also a Republic Medal 1966 (with President on obverse) For Nigeria no such things, just exist the Independence Medal (I had posted a photo of mine several years ago). That Nigeria Independence Medal has been striken many time after 1960. But yet there seems there was never a Nigeria Republic Medal 1963 (could have been a non wearable medal, in a presentation case to commemorate this event). Emmanuel

Here is Burkina Faso : Ordre du Merite de la Jeunesse et des Sports. Order of Merit of Sports & Youth, awarded to Mohammed Morchid from Company Sonatel. Picture is of bad quality, but better than nothing. I never saw this Order in real. All specific awards of Burkina Faso (I mean Orders & Medals awarded by ministries) are very hard to get. Emmanuel