JapanX

1st class medal (another workmanship)

And here we have nice scan of reverse of the 1st class medal numbered 131

The reverses of medals bears stamped number and (typical for Nationalist medals) Bureau of decorations seal. Here it is.

Apart from differences in ribbon and enamel color 1st class medal is gold gilded and 2nd class is in silver. Take a look at these reverses

2nd class medal (this specimen has number 65 stamped on reverse)

1st class medal (this specimen has number 136 stamped on reverse)

Word-by-word translation

Well, I found out what this small medal from post # 2 is. But the breast star is still mystery. Although both (breast star and small medal) have identical inscription on obverse... Flight Medal (a.k.a. Medal of Flying) It was established on August 1, 1935 in two classes (or grades, if you like this word better ) 1st class 2nd class It is awarded for achievement in aviation competitions to officers, soldiers or civilians. Original name of this medal (four hieroglyph`s on obverse)

Again no signs of our "Honor Medal" ... Another mystery. Luckily we don`t have this problem with this Doolittle Rider Cheers, Nick

In the process of getting fourth star ...

The strangest thing is the absence of Medal of Armed Forces bar... Here we have last known (to me it is ) of General in uniform. Most likely it was taken in 1985 shortly after he got his fouth star.

Close up

and another one

This tunic was sold last year at New York auction for 33 000$ As we see - no chinese bars for us on this one. And another photo ;)

More details ... 5 6 7 8

4

Again no signs of our Medal... Now allow me to remind you that from January 1944 to September 1945, Doolittle held his largest command, the Eighth Air Force (8 AF) in England. Good thing that I find exellent photos of his tunic exactly from this time period Check this OuT! 1 2 3

So we have a bar for Order of Cloud and Banner, but no signs of the Medal of Armed Forces ... When did he get his Cloud? My estimate - no early than 1944 no later than 1946. Here we have interesting photo of Doolittle's dress uniform (collection of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)

After war photo (late 50s - 60s). At last!!! Bottom raw, penultimate bar.

Color one from 1943. Same results ...

Another one and again no Asia in sight...

First will be this photo from 1942. No signs of Chinese awards ...

Nice definition of award № 23 Not to mention that they actually mixed № 22 and № 23 ... But the strangest thing is that our Hero has A grade 1st class (at least it looks like A grade 1st class ) on ribbon from A grade 2nd class!!! And the ribbon looks suspiciously new ... I wonder when did he got this one ... Another invistigation

Definitions

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