IrishGunner

A lot of US paratroopers wear these metal jump wings as well. I was just at Fort Bragg, NC (home to 82nd Airborne Div and US Army Special Forces) and there dozens of countries' wings - in metal - for sale at the military clothing store. You can't wear a cloth badge on US uniform; so, any other countries' wings have to be made in metal for wear - officially - on US uniforms.

I likey very much. I have to get over there for a battlefield yomp with you...

Our minds aren't the issue. It's what you pulled out of the gutter that has us concerned. (PS: That's what you get for such a crappy topic title. )

Takes a few days for the test results to come back by post, huh?

Oh, no, Ricky, you didn't have to go there....

Oh, gawd, I hope there aren't pictures.

Training with my battery at the Munster range, a Bundeswehr captain pulls up and proudly announces himself as the commander of a Flash/Sound Detection unit and he's "successfully located my battery." I'm like...Dude, range control can locate my battery - it's a training area and I've been here for a day. But you "go girl."

And there it is...

I'd say the Bundeswehr version of a tin foil hat.

I didn't know these existed as a pin back. So much to learn... Beautiful pieces...

Definitely a nice badge. Any info on why this British yeomanry regiment identified with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders?

Fantastic little bar

Looks like the same guy to me... But, hey, all you old guys look alike to me... And if it isn't, he's done a great job of re-creating Sokolov's ribbon bar.

I bet there's an iinteresting story behind his Belgium travels...

Definitely post WW2 - even newer. This is the Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) for the 75th Ranger Regiment. The design was originally approved in 1969 for the 75th Infantry Regiment, it became the DUI for the 75th Ranger Regiment in 1986. Of course, the design is based upon the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), commonly referred to as Merrill's Marauders. More info here: http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Heraldry/ArmyDUISSICOA/ArmyHeraldryUnit.aspx?u=5871 As for exact date, I can't say, but I would put it post-1986.

Looks like some kind of Boy Scout merit badge. Seems appropriate.

Yea, with less than 1500 awarded, the odds are that your's is a copy.

Linas, I found a wikipedia page in Polish about this medal. In Polish, the medal is called: Krzyż Zasługi Wojsk Litwy Środkowej According to the wiki page, the following information is provided (my translation - paraphrase): "According to the (provisional government) resolution, the medal was awarded for acts of bravery, heroism, or outstanding operational and organizational actions by soldiers fighting against Lithuanian forces in Vilnius during the period, October 9 to November 19, 1920. The cross was awarded by the Provisional Government at the request of (Polish) military commanders in Lithuania. Awards were made in 1926 and a total of 1439 crosses were awarded." Here's the site - again it's in Polish - http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krzy%C5%BC_Zas%C5%82ugi_Wojsk_Litwy_%C5%9Arodkowej

Linas, this is a very interesting medal from the post-WWI period. Unfortunately, I cannot give any information on who awarded the medal and for what reason. However, given that it is in Polish language, one can only assume that it was awarded by Poland for participation in the Polish-Lithuanian conflict 1919-1920, which was part of the larger Polish-Soviet War or the Polish War of Independence. I can help with the Polish inscription - Litwa środkowa - literally "Central Lithuania" in Polish. The dates "9.X. 19.XI 1920" refer to 9 Oct to 19 Nov 1920 or the dates for the battle of Vilnius also "Wilno" in Polish. The ribbon is in the national colors of Lithuania and the design is similar to other Polish medals; so, I conclude it's a Polish commemorative for the period of conflict in Lithuania I've outlined above. A wonderful piece in my opinion, and like you, I'd be very interested in its specific history.

I first thought religious item as well. But then I noticed it it is IMS and not IHS - which would be religious monogram for Jesus Christ. But I'm still leaning towards some sort of school medal instead of being something military.

Personally, I prefer the "worn" look. An almost new cap has no character in my opinion. And likely no stories.

The Paris patch alone makes it quite nice... What else was in the group that you didn't snap up?