Herman

Hello again, I took some better pictures (I hope) during daylight of my bronze iron cross 2nd class 1914. By the way, the ek2 is unmarked and is slightly heavier than a normal ek2 1914. Herman

and the reverse compared with others.

And what do you guys think of this iron cross 2nd class 1914? It is made out of one piece bronze and has a correct ribbon ring and attachment. I don't have any idea where it is used for. It was very dirty when i got it, so I cleaned it. I coul'dn't find any remains of black and silver paint on it. I'm sorry for the low quality pictures, but its the best i can do for the moment. What do you experts think of it? Herman

Hello, if the French Legion d'Honneur was made prior to 1951 the blue rim around the centre medaillon on the obverse should read 1870 at the 6 o'clock position. After 1951 the year notation was changed to a star. The picture is to small for me to see this, but if your cross bears a star it was issued after 1951. regards Herman

Hello again milhistry, Indeed it is a Commanders grade Legion of Merit. Not an Officer. Good luck with your research. Herman

Christer, Some questions: You just picked out all the Germans from these lists? Is it perhaps possible that Dutch military and/or citizens awarded this nice Swedish order are also mentioned? And if yes, is this list covering the years 1945-1960? regards Herman

The last ribbon is a US Legion of Merit, Officer grade. The Africa Star has an '8' attached to it and the War Medal 1939-1945 has an oakleaf of 'Mentioned in Despatches' attached to it. Herman

Got this one today and understand it is a MVK3XC. Am I correct? It is marked GH at the backside between the crown and swords. regards Herman

Hello, after 3 1/2 months of silence in this thread I will give it another push. I invite everybody to post his / her pictures of Dutch medals, awards and orders in this thread. I enclose a picture of a medalgroup of a Dutch warhero. He flew as a bomberpilot in the war from the Dutch East-Indies. Evaded to Australia in 1942, flew in Mitchell bombers and commanded the Dutch 18th NEI Squadron in action against the Japanese. He was awarded the Dutch (1944) and British DFC (1945). In 1950 he got the highest Dutch bravery award, the Militaire Willemsorde 4th class for all his actions in WW2. HRH Prince Bernhard awarded the cross personally in june 1951. After the war he left the Airforce and became a businessman. He stayed on reservist status and eventualy got promoted to reserve-Commandeur (1 star General in the Dutch Airforce). He died in1997. His uniform and awards are kept and shown in the Dutch Airforce museum at Soesterberg. His name: Ir. Dirk Lucas Asjes. If you google him, some other interesting things will appear. Flying in an airrace before WW2 is one of them regards Herman

Hello Johnnymac, Thanks for your reply. To put one thing straight right away. I do NOT posses the U.S.M. 37 medal of Col. Barney. I picked this picture and another one, which I shall add to this post, a few years back from the internet. I don't know where, maybe ebay. I don't know why the US Mint gave away these numbered medals. Furthermore Laslo's book is not clear on this subject either. For your question on the suspension of the VM of Col Barney, see the picture below. It is a type 2 as you can see. Best regards Herman

Kevin, thanks for your honest reply. I know the Polish VM's are fantasy pieces. I just bought one as a reference and i tried to make my VM display as 'complete' as possible. FortunateIy I did not pay that much. regards, Herman.

The book on VM's of Alexander J. Laslo (2nd edition) mentiones in the United States section an official type 3. This official type 3 is a numbered serie. The edge is stamped with U.S.M. followed by one or two digits. Laslo thinks they are United State Mint presentation pieces. He describes this version on page 92 of his book. This numbering triggered me and over the years I tried to identify the numbers. It is a very slow process. I hope that the readers and contributors to GMIC can unify their information and that the list may grow. At the moment I identified the following numbers: U.S.M. 5 awarded to Gen John J. Pershing U.S.M. 37 awarded to Colonel James P. Barney U.S.M. 68 (mentioned on page 92 of Laslo's book) U.S.M. 70 (figure 113 on page 86 of the book) U.S.M. 95 awarded to Brigadier General R. Krauthoff Not that impressive yet. So, who knows another one. I add two pictures. A picture of the U.S.M. 37 of Col Barney and a black and white photo of the set of Brigadier General Krauthoff with his VM marked U.S.M. 95 (not shown in the picture). Best regards Herman

and the reverse of my Cuban VM. (A picture i had in my computer). Herman

This Cuba has the Chobillon marking and BRONZE in the rim. I add a picture of the reverse in the next post. Gents, I want to apoligize for the quality of the pictures in the string of photo's of today. I don't have the rights yet to add good quality pictures. Furthermore the pictures of the reverse of the medals were impossible to make without breaking down the presentation frame in which they are grouped. Questions, comments, I eagerly await you experts ........ Best regards Herman

I also have an unofficial Polish VM. It is marked on the obverse with MK at the 7 o’clock position. At hte same position it is marked Vlaitov on the obverse edge. The reverse is marked with a big Polish eagle. It came without a ribbon, so i added a ribbon from a spare VM from another country.

Czechoslowakia An official type 2

My South African Victory medal. It is a type 1 and named.The rim reads: PNR. S.T. COGHLAN S.A.P.B.

my second Victory medal of Great Britain is a single one with a Mentioned in Despatches oakleaf. I also own the MiD certificate. The name on the rim reads: S-307535 A. CPL. S. SANDERS. A.S.C. The oakleaf was attached to the reverse side of the ribbon when it arrived in the mail. I kept it as it is.

then on to Great Britain. I own two British VM's. The first one is part of a trio all named to a Private Stevens of the Wiltshire Regiment. The rim reads: 14493 PTE G.C. STEVENS. WILTS.R. The VM is a type 2.

Japan A type 1 complete with hook and eye at the backside of the ribbon.

My Italian VM's. I have three: An official type 1, marked: Orsolini Mod, Sacchini Milano an official type 2, marked: Orsolini Mod, S. Johnson Milano and an official type 3, marked: Orsolini Mod, F.M. Lorioli Castelli Milano

My Portuguese VM. It has a funny story that goes with it, although when it happened a few years back i was quiet mad. When the medal arrived in the mail, my mailbox then was a post slot in the front door of the house, the dog got hold of it and teared the envelope in pieces. The ribbon of the VM was damaged. After the first wave of shock and anger I decided to keep it as it is. The dog is no more and now it's a nice momento to her. It is an official type 2 with bronze ribbonholder.

The Rumanian VM is own is an identified piece. It belonged to Captain Robert Gardescu. It is an official type 1, complete with hook and eye at the backside.

My French VM's. An official type - Morlon, an unofficial type 1 – Charles / Chobillon with the Chobillon marking and marked BRONZE in the rim. The third one is an unofficial type 2 – Pautot / Mattei, also marked BRONZE.

My only 2 Victory medals from the USA. They are an official type 2 with 3 ribbon bars: St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector.Perhaps the 29th Division. The backside of the ribbon has a brooch. The one on the right is an official type 2 with ribbon bar: France and a Maltese cross. It has a French brass hinge.