ARAB MEDALS -- Iraq

[Ed_Haynes]

In response to a request in another thread that we try to address, more coherently, Arab ODM with separate threads on each country, I'll kick things off here, with Iraq.

A note on online sources:

http://www.omsa.org/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=684

http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/medals/iraq/iraq.html

http://www.medals.org.uk/iraq/iraq.htm

http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/cintasas.htm#i (Go here and click on Iraq, part 1 and part 2.)

http://www.netdialogue.com/yy/Asia/Iraq/Iraq.htm

http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Iraq/iraq4.htm

The awards will be discussed in no particular order (sorry).

Edited January 13, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut al-Shujat / Medal for Bravery

This is a fairly complex award, which appears to have altered significantly over time. The first royal award was established in 1926 and seems to have been awarded with two ribbons, one for military forces and one for air force personnel. (Could there have been a naval variety as well?) With the revolution of 1958, a new design was established under General Qassim, altering the overall design of the star to an eight-pointed rayed star with a black emaneld dome in the center with a depiction of the republican emblem in a red-enameled triangle above the embossed swords. In 19??, the design was altered again with the fall of General Qassim, and the republican emblem was removed and replaced with the Iraqi eagle in a red triangle. There is great similarity between later issues of the medal and the campaign medals issued, for example, for the Iran-Iraq War. It is important to distinguish between the two, as the medal is almost identical. Awards for the Second Gulf War ("Desert Shield/Desert Storm) are similar to the award for the war with Iraq, but are cruder in design and manufacture, as they were manufactured in Iraq under difficult economic and industrial conditions. The swords on the obverse were no longer embossed as had been the case with the earlier designs. Details of the individual varieties are reviewed below.

Established: By Law No. 34 of 1926, the "Gallantry and Active Service Medals Law" of 15 May 1926. Revised after the Revolution by ??? Law No. 9 of 1959. ??? Law No. 14 of 1981. Early versions were manufactured by Huguenin (Le Locle, Switzerland). The Gulf War I version has an ornate "A" on the upper edge of the reverse and there is no evidence of this origin on the Gulf War II issue, which is Iraq-made, due to the sanctions regeime.

Obverse: The royal award was a 45-mm silver-gilt seven-pointed rayed star, with a silver circular center bearing a gilt crown with gilt crossed swords below. Suspended by a straight-bar suspender. The republican award was altered to a gilt 40-mm (point-to-point) eight-pointed rayed sunburst star with black-enameled center with crossed swords and triangular red-enameled national arms above. Suspended by an integral loop.

Reverse: Plain. Most are blank, but the Gulf War I version has a concave area in the center and an ornate "A" on the upper point (makers' mark?).

Ribbon: For army awards before 1958 and for all awards after that date: 31 mm, equal stripes black/red/black: 11 mm black, 9 mm red, 11 mm black. For air force awards before 1958: 40 mm very pale blue. Perhaps bearing a gilt crown?

Royal version, seven-pointed silver-gilt star with a prominent crown and crossed swords on the obverse, 1926-58:

Army version with black / red / black ribbon

Air force version with light blue ribbon (crown seen worn on ribbon?)

Obverse

Republican version, the star becomes eight-pointed with a black-enameled center:

Early (Qasim) version, 1958-63 (?)

Obverse

Reverse

1963-90 ("Gulf War I") version - the republican eagle replaces the emblem of the previous version and there is a concave reverse with an "A" on the upper point

Obverse

Reverse

Gulf War II version, post-1990 - of a cruder manufacture, the crossed swords are integral to the obverse, and the ribbon is manufactured from a coarse, almost plastic, material

Obverse

Reverse

It is unknown whether there was/is a Gulf War III version.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut al-Anaqaz / Rescue Medal, 1954

Awarded to those who assisted in rescue operations in the context of the massive flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in 1954. It was as a direct result of these floods that the major flood-control and irrigation works at Samarra (on the Tigris) and at Ramadi (on the Euphrates) were opened in 1956.

Established: By Law No. 69 of 1954. Manufactured by Huguenin (Le Locle, Switzerland).

Obverse: Bronze-gilt, 32 mm circular medal. The figure of a man rescuing a woman from floods; a sand-bagged wall is in the foreground. Suspended from a spray of leaves and a ring suspension.

Reverse: A three-part Arabic inscription. "Nut al-Inqath" or "Rescue Medal", "Fithan al-Iraq" or "Iraqi Floods", and "1954 Santah" or "The Year 1954".

Ribbon: 35 mm, white, with 8 mm green edges and a 5 mm brown center stripe. (8 mm green, 8 mm white, 5 mm brown, 8 mm white, 8 mm green.)

Awards: In addition to awards to Iraqis, approximately 66 medals were awarded to British Army and Royal Air Force troops from the air base at Habbaniya.

[Ed_Haynes]

King Faisal II Coronation Medal, 1953

Issued to commemorate the coronation of King Faisal II ibn Ghazi on 2 May 1953. Faisal had been on the throne under a tightly controlled regency (under the management of Amir Abd Ilah and Nuri al-Said) since his father's death in 1939. Established: 1953. Was struck both by the Royal Mint (London, England) and by Huguenin (La Loche, Switzerland).

Obverse: Circular 32 mm medal (patterned after the British medal for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II), King Faisal II facing right. Suspended by a ring. The medal was produced both by the Royal Mint in London and the Huguenin Company (Le Locle, Switzerland) with slightly different designs. For example, the legend "HUGUENIN" appears in faint letters underneath the king's head on the Swiss-made variety.

Reverse: Crown with royal cipher of two interlinked Arabic "F"s above; these are much more stylized (almost unrecognizably so) on the Hugelin striking than on the Royal Mint striking. Arabic inscription: "Towija sanah 1372 H. - 1953 M." or "Coronation Year 1372 H. - 1953 M.". The Hugenin striking omits the hyphen in the date.

Ribbon: Maroon/red, with thin white, green, white edge stripes. The ribbon was slightly different on the English and Swiss strikings. English ribbon: ???; Swiss ribbon: 39 mm, 27 mm maroon center with white and green edge stripes of 2 mm (2 mm white, 2 mm green, 2 mm white, 27 mm maroon, 2 mm white, 2 mm green, 2 mm white).

Awards: The Royal Mint silver medal was struck in 5000 specimens.

Royal Mint variety - silver, small head (16 x 24 mm) and plain rim to obverse - the reverse inscription has a hyphen between the dates

Obverse

Reverse

Huguenin variety - larger head (18 x 27 mm) and rim on obverse - the reverse inscription has no hyphen between the dates:

silvered bronze - unofficial?

Obverse

Reverse

bronze

Obverse

Reverse

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut lil Shurta al-Khidman al-Aama / Police General Service Medal, 1939-58

Established: 1939? After the 1958 revolution, it was replaced by the Police National Service Medal. Manufactured by Huguenin (Le Locle, Switzerland).

Obverse: A 40 mm seven-pointed bronze star with ribbed points, with a crown covering the uppermost points. Behind the star, crossed police truncheons. In the circular center, an Arabic inscription "Faisal al-Thani" or "Faisal II". Suspended from a straight-bar suspender.

Reverse: Within a central circle, and Arabic inscription "Nut lil Shurta al-Khidman al-Aama" or "Police General Service Medal". Above the circle on the reverse of the crown, the maker's mark "HUGUENIN / SUISSE".

Ribbon: 35 mm, blue with 5 mm red edge stripes. Red 5 mm, blue 25 mm, red 5 mm.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut al-Khidmat al-Awal / General Service Medal, 1926-58

In the nature of a general service medal, this medal was awarded for service in specified military operations in Iraq between 1924 and 1936. It is unclear what services after 1936, if any, were represented by this award. The medal was first awarded for services in the Eastern District of Iraq between 24 May 1924 and 18 December 1924 and between 23 March 1925 and 30 September 1925. For service in subsequent operations, a clasp was to be awarded instead of a medal. In some cases, however, it appears that a medal with bar may have been issued for the first campaign service. These clasps are detailed below. The medal is sometimes referred to - especially in British sources - as the "King Faisal War Medal". This medal was commonly awarded to British officers serving with and in Iraqi forces throughout the interwar period. Unfortunately, the award history and conditions are better known as they pertain to British troops; the corresponding awards to Iraqis are still not well understood. This medal was renewed, after the revolution of 1958, as a new General Service Medal.

Established: By Law No. 34 of 1926, the "Gallantry and Active Service Medals Law" of 15 May 1926). The first service conditions for the award were established by a Royal Irada of 18 December 1926 (published in the Government Gazette of 28 December 1926); the dates for qualifying service were amended by Royal Irada of 14 November 1928 (published in the Government Gazette of 6 January 1929). The medal was described in a notification in the Government Gazette of 2 April 1927. Clasps were authorized as detailed below. The medal was further revised after the revolution in 1958. Manufactured by Huguenin (La Loche, Switzerland); there is also a variety made by V. Singal & Sons (Baghdad).

Obverse: A bright bronze (sometimes incorrectly described as gilt) medal (though it darkens with time), 53x34 mm, with a crescent and semicircular wreath with an Arabic inscription "Al-Khidmat al-Amma" or "General Service". Crossed rifles in the background, with their muzzles joined by ten rays which attach to the straight bar of the ribbon suspension. The back side of the suspension bar, normally concealed within the ribbon, bears the maker's mark, "HUGUENIN SUISSE".

Reverse: Within a circle, Arabic inscription "Al-Awwal / Faisal / 1344" or "Faisal / I / 1344 [A.H. = 1927 C.E.]".

Ribbon: 33 mm, equal stripes (11 mm each) green/white/green. The ribbon was orininally described in the 1927 description as "A piece of silk, 1? inches long and 1? inches breadth. The two side quarters of the piece shall be in green colour and the middle half white." While no ribbons of this description have been observed on this medal, this description is quite close to the ribbon used for the General Service Medal after 1958.

Awards: In addition to being awarded to Iraqi forces, this medal and its clasps were also awarded to British army and air force personnel serving in Iraq.

1. medal, no clasp - It is not entirely clear why this medal (though very common) should exist without a clasp.

2. medal, plain clasp - While this bar has been reported, it is uncertain what services it may represent, perhaps it merely represents bars bearing inscriptions which the British decscribers could not read?

3. medal, inscribed clasp:

3.1 "1927 ???" or "Eastern District 1927" - This clasp was established by an undated Royal Irada, published in the Government Gazette on 1 March 1928. It was awarded for services with the Penjwin Column in the Eastern District of Iraq between 19 and 27 April 1927. Some evidence suggests that the period of qualifying service may have been extended back to cover actions in 1926, although this picture is far from clear.

3.2 "Kurdistan al-Khadbit 1930-31" or "Southern Kurdistan 1930-31" - This clasp was established by a Royal Irada without date and published in the Government Gazette of 19 April 1931; these service conditions were later altered by Royal Iradas of 9 June 1931 (published 23 August 1931), of 16 November 1931 (published 24 January 1932), and of 25 January 1932 (published 10 April 1932). It was awarded for services against Shaikh Mahmud in Southern Kurdistan and the Eastern District of Iraq between 29 October 1930 and 25 November 1930, between 3 December 1930 and 18 December 1930, 11 January 1931 to 5 February 1931, 10 March 1931 to 14 May 1931. The specific region of operations was defined (for the British Royal Air Force by Air Ministry Orders N.454 of 1932 and A.284 of 1932) as: "Kirkuk-Surdarsh-Junction of Qala Cholan and the Little Zab rivers on the Iraqi-Persian Frontier north of Mawit-thence along the frontier east and south to where it crosses the Khanaqin-Kermashah road-Khanaqin-Kingerban-Kirkuk". Only 89 awards of this clasp took place; the number is listed in three Iraqi Royal Orders (Irada). orders as follows: 13 persons granted through The Royal Order no. 123 in 14th May 1931; 51 persons granted through The Royal Order no. 162 in 9th June 1931; 25 persons granted through The Royal Order no. 169 in 2nd July 1931. SHOWN BELOW.

3.3 "Barzan 1932" - This clasp was established by Royal Irada of 9 August 1932 (published in the Government Gazette of 18 December 1932) and was awarded for active service in the Barzan area of Northern Kurdistan between 15 March 1932 and 6 July 1932. For British forces, this service was also represented by the General Service Medal.

3.4 "Barzan 1933" - This clasp was established by Royal Irada of 19 September 1933 (published in the Government Gazette on 16 September 1934) and was awarded for services in Barzan district of Northern Kurdistan against the Tyari rebels between 23 July 1933 and 17 August 1933. No awards of this clasp are known to British forces.

3.5 "Harakat al-Faran 1935" or "Euphrates 1935" - This clasp was authorized by Royal Irada of 14 August 1935 (published in the Government Gazette on 8 September 1935) to recognize services in the Euphrates area between 11 May 1935 and 29 July 1935.

3.6 "Harakat al-Faran 1936" or "Euphrates 1936" - This clasp was authorized by Royal Irada of 2 July 1936 (published in the Government Gazette of 16 August 1936) for services in the Euphrates area between 1 May 1936 and 28 June 1936.

[Ed_Haynes]

The 1939-45 War Medal

Iraq severed diplomatic relations with Germany at the outbreak of WWII, but avoided any direct participation until after the 1941 rebellion. In January 1943, Iraq obediently declared war on the Axis powers, although there was scant combat involvement. For the most part, Iraq became a base for the British wartime occupations of Iran and the Levant.

Established: 1945. Amended by Law No. 28 of 1950.

Obverse: Cicular medal, 40 mm, gilt, within a milled edge a soldier blowing a bugle, the dates 1939-45 and the Arabic word "Herb" or "War". Above, a grenade, anchor, and crossed sword and rifle over two crossed flags. Suspended by a ring. Manufactured by Huguenin (Le Locle, Switzerland).

Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: 27 mm, rhree scarlet stripes divided by narrower stripes of white. Edges of black and white, black on the outside. Black 2 mm, white 2 mm, red 5 mm, white 2 mm, red 5 mm, white 2 mm, red 5 mm, white 2 mm, black 2 mm.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut al-Nasir 1945 / Victory Medal, 1945

Iraq severed diplomatic relations with Germany at the outbreak of WWII, but avoided any direct participation until after the 1941 rebellion. In January 1943, when told to by the ocdcupying forces, Iraq declared war on the Axis powers.

Established: 1945. Amended by Law No. 28 of 1950. Manufactured by Huguenin (Le Locle, Switzerland), though there is no maker's mark.

Obverse: A 39 mm seven-pointed rayed silver star with a circular gilt medallion in the center. On the medallion, two sprays of laurel with an Arabic inscription "Al-Nasir 1945" or "Victory 1945". Suspended by a jump ring.

Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: 30 mm, eleven alternate thin stripes of white and green with red edges; 4 mm red, 2 mm white, 2 mm green, 2 mm white, 2 mm green, 2 mm white, 2 mm green, 2 mm white, 2 mm green, 2 mm white, 2 mm green, 2 mm white, 4 mm red.

[Ed_Haynes]

War Against Iran, 1980-88

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, relations between Iran and Iraq had steadily worsened and, on 22 September 1980, open warfare began. Considerable financial support came to Iraq from neighboring Gulf Arab States and the United States, as Iraq came to be seen as the defender of the conservative Gulf kingdoms from the Iranian revolutionary zeal. The war, which has become known as Gulf War I, was extremely costly in lives and material on both sides. It was finally concluded by a cease fire on 20 August 1988 and the ongoing cease-fire came under the supervision of the UN Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG). A similar medal, with a black-red-black ribbon was awarded for bravery in this war and another similar medal, with a different ribbon and a legend on the obverse, was awarded for the 1990-91 Gulf War (Gulf War II).

Obverse: Gilt 40 mm (point-to-point) eight-pointed rayed sunburst star with black-enameled center with crossed swords and triangular red-enameled national arms above. Suspended by an integral loop.

Reverse: The maker's mark, an ornate "A", appears on the uppermost point of the star.

Ribbon: 38 mm, grey-olive-colored with a black (dark blue?) center; these two colors are separated by rainbow-colored stripes; 9 mm olive, 3 mm rainbow, 13 mm black, 3 mm rainbow, 9 mm olive. (This is remarkably similar to the ribbon used by the U.S. veteran's organization, the American Legion.)

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut Qami al-Isyian fi al-Shimal / Medal for Crushing the Northern Rebellion

While tension - and often armed tension - had been common between the Iraqi central government and the Kurds in northern Iraq ever since the formation of the modern Iraqi state after W.W.I (and had been a common destabilizing afctor for Iraqi governments), open war had not been the habitual practice. The Kurds, in fact, had been ardent supporters of the 1958 revolution but, by September 1961, full-scale conflict had erupted with the Qasim government. A cease-fire was concluded only in 1964, and this war in the Kurdish north had been a major factor in the governmental shifts of that period.

Established: Law No. 7 of 1964.

Obverse: Circular 40-mm gilt medal, with a blue-enameled circle around the edge. In the center, three green-enameled mountain peaks with white-enameled snow caps against a blue-enameled sky. In front of the mountains, two guilt hands engage in a handshake. On a gilt scroll above, the Arabic legend "Al-Jamhuriyah al-Ir'aqiah" or "The Republic of Iraq". Suspended by a ring.

Reverse: Plain, with the Arabic legend "Nut Qami al-Isyian fi al-Shimal" or "Medal for Crushing the Rebellion in the North" at the lower edge.

Ribbon: 35 mm, six equal stripes (left to right): light blue, white, black, yellow, grey, and purple; 5 mm light blue, 5 mm white, 5 mm black, 5 mm yellow, 5 mm grey, 5 mm purple.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut al-Istihqaq al-'Aali / Supreme Worthiness Medal, 1992-93

Awarded for service (?) in the 1992-93 era? Is this the same as the "Order of Perfection"?

Obverse: A gilt floreate shape, 40 x 45 mm, enemeled in vertical stripes red / white / black. At the upper point, three green-enameled stars. At the botton, an open gilt book bearing the Arabic legend "Allah u Akbar" or "God is Great" with an upright gilt star above all. Suspended by a bar across the back of the medal and with an upper ribbon bar of a gilt scroll bearing the Arabic Legend "Nut al-Istihqaq al-'Aali" or "Supreme Worthiness Medal".

Reverse: Plain, with a horizontal bar and clasp for ribbon attachment.

Ribbon: 29 mm white with a pattern of light blue linear patches.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut Al-Shurta lil Khidmat Al-Mumtaza / Police Distinguished Service Medal, 1958

For distinguished service by the police.

Established: 1958, in substitution for the royal Police Distinguished Service Medal.

Obverse: 42-mm, silver circular wreath with a eight-pointed rayed star. In the center, a circular field and within a white-enamaled circle, an ornate depiction of the Iraqi national emblem. Suspended from the ribbon by a ring.

Reverse: The Arabic legend "Nut al-Shurta lil Khidmat al-Mumtaza" or "Police Distinguished Service Medal".

Ribbon: 34 mm, dark blue with 5-mm white edges and three thin 2-mm white center stripes: 5 mm white, 6 mm dark blue, 2 mm white, 3 mm dark blue, 2 mm white, 3 mm dark blue, 2 mm white, 6 mm dark blue, 5 mm white.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut Al-Shurta lil Khidmat Al-Mumtaza / Police Distinguished Service Medal, 19??-58

Replaced after the revolution of 1958 by the new Police Distinguished Service Medal.

Established: ???, became obselete with the 1958 revolution. Manufactured by Huguenin (Le Loche, Switzerland).

Obverse: 40 mm silver circular wreath with a seven-pointed rayed star. In the center, a circular field with the head of King Faisal II, facing right (as on his coronation medal), and the Arabic legend "Nut al-Shurta lil Khidmat al-Mumtaza" or "Police Distinguished Service Medal". Suspended from the ribbon by a straight integral bar.

Reverse: Plain, with the maker's mark at the top: "HUGUENIN / SUISSE".

Ribbon: 35 mm, dark blue with white edges; 5 mm white, 25 mm dark blue, 5 mm white.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut Harkat Mais 1941 / Medal for the May 1941 Revolt

Established after the revolution to commemorate the May 1941 Iraqi rebellion under Prime Minister Rashid Ali al-Gaylani. The British role in crushing the Arab Revolt in Palestine from 1936 to 1939 had contributed to growing anti-British sentiments in the Iraqi Army and the first rumbling of a desire to overthrow the Iraqi monarchy date from this period. As World War II approached, German diplomacy played upon this growing anti-British sentiment in Iraq. In 1939, Iraq severed diplomatic relations with Germany, but their sympathies were by no means unambiguiously with Britain. In 1940, the nationalist Rashid Ali al-Gaylani became prime minister and imposes restrictions on British troops in Iraq. In April 1941, Rashid Ali granted only tightly governed rights for Britain to deploy any new troops into Iraq. The British replied by landing troops in Basra, claiming that Iraq had broken agreemants in their 1930 treaty of friendship. Many Iraqis saw this as an effort to restrore British rule in Iraq, as a unprovoked British invasion of their country, and as an effort to shore up an increasingly collaborationist monarchy. With limited support from Germany, Iraqi troops fought to defend their country from these incusrions by the British, who were supported by the Arab Legion from Jordan. Baghdad was occupied, an armistice was signed on 30 May 1941, and Rashid Ali fled the country. Thereafter, Iraq participated in the Allied war effort. This revolution - variously interpreted as nationalist or pro-Axis - became a major event in the recent history of Iraqi nationalism. It is significant that, after the revolution of 1958, this medal was establish to commemorate the struggle against the British under Rashid Ali seventeen years earlier.

Established: By Law No. 31 of 1959. While there is no maker's mark, it is believed these medals were manufactured by Hunguenin (Le Loche, Switzerland)

Obverse: A 43-mm bronze-gilt eight-pointed star, the points enameled red. In the circular center, a representational map of Iraq with the rivers enameled blue with stylized military units across the map. To the left and right, the Arabic legend "Mais / 1941 [C.E.]" or "May / 1941". Suspended by a ring.

Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: Moir?, 30 mm, five equal stripes of green, yellow, blue, yellow, green; 6 mm green, 6 mm yellow, 6 mm blue, 6 mm yellow, 6 mm green.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut Herb Filistin 1948-49 / Medal for the Palestine War, 1948-49

In solidarity with Arab interests, Iraq joined the war against Israel which erupted on 15 May 1948. From that date until they were withdrawn in April 1949, Iraqi troops participated in the first Arab-Israeli War. The troops found that they were badly equipped and virtually untrained for this war due to dramatic reductions which had taken place in Iraqi military expenditures in the aftermath of Rashid Ali's rebellion of 1941. This, combined with the economic difficulties which the war brought to Iraq (tied, in part, to the massive exodus of Iraq's large Jewish community between after 1948), contributed to growing opposition to the Hashemite monarchy. This medal was awarded after the revolution to the members of the Palestinian Brigade of the Iraqi Army and to associated Iraqi military personnel.

Established: Law No. 32 of 1959.

Obverse: White metal, 40 mm. An eight-pointed bronze star, enameled red, with bronze flames on each point. In a central multi-colored enameled medallion, a map of Palestine with Al-Aqsah Mosque in the center and an armed soldier advancing from lower right. Lower left, an inscription, "Aaidoon" or "We will return". Suspended from a ring.

Reverse: Above, the crurved Arabic inscription "Al-Jamhuriya al-Iraqiya" or "The Iraqi Republic." Below, a scroll. The center is blank.

Ribbon: 30 mm, equal stripes of black, green, red, green, and black. Black 6 mm, green 6 mm, red 6 mm, green 6 mm, black 6 mm.

Awards: Between 8000 and 10000 Iraqi troops were sent for this war.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut Thurath 17 Tamuz / Medal for the 14 July Revolution, 1958

Awarded to commemorate the 14 July 1958 revolution in which the monarchy was overthrown by the "Free Officers" of the Iraqi army. The royal family and many of their supporters were executed, and all power was placed in a revolutionary council under the leadership of Brigadier Abd al-Karim Qasim and Colonel Abd al-Salaam Arif. In 1963, Brigadier Qasim would be removed by the army and the small Iraqi Ba'ath Party.

Established: Law No. 5 of 1964. Made by Huguenin (Le Loche, Switzerland).

Obverse: Triangular bronze-gilt, 41 mm, in the center a green-enameled map of Iraq with a palm tree and two oil wells issuing from it. Over all, the Iraqi national symbol. Below, the Arabic inscription "14 Hatul" or "14 July". Suspended by an integral horizontal loop.

Reverse: The Arabic inscription "Tanu 14 Namur 1958 [C.E.]" or "Revolution 14 July 1958". The maker's mark is on the upper suspension edge.

Ribbon: 35 mm, yellow (orange?) with (reading inward) 2 mm black and 4 mm blue edge stripes; 2 mm black, 4 mm blue, 23 mm yellow, 4 mm blue, 2 mm black.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut lil Shurta al-Khimat al-Aama / Police General Service Medal 1959-

Established by General Abd al-Karim Qassim after the 1958 revolution to replace the royalist Police General Service Medal.

Established: 1959, to replace the King Faisal II Police National Service Medal.

Obverse: An 44-mm eight-point bronze star with rayed points. In the circular center, an ornate depiction of the Iraqi national emblem with a lamp above. Suspended by a ring.

Reverse: At the top, the Arabic inscription "Nut lil Shurta / al-Khidmat al-Aama" or "Police General Service Medal".

Ribbon: 33 mm, blue with red edge stripes and a thin red center stripe; 5 mm red, 11 mm blue, 1 mm red, 11 mm blue, 5 mm red.

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut al-Taawin / Medal of Cooperation, 1967-73

It seems likely (possible?) that this medal was intended mainly for award to Syrian nationals, as this time period was a moment of significant renewal of the Iraqi-Syrian friendship.

Established: 1969. Manufactured by Hugenin (Le Loche, Switzerland).

Obverse: Massive circular 48-mm bronze medal with an eight-pointed star and surrounding wreath. Within the star, the Iraqi eagle with the enameled arms on its breast; behind its head the Haram al-Sharif ("Dome of the Rock") in Al-Quds (Jerusalem). Suspended by an integral horizontal loop.

Reverse: Pebbled, with the Arabic legand "Nut al-T'aawin" or "Medal of Cooperation" at the bottom. The maker's mark is at the top, "HUGUENIN / SWISS MADE".

Ribbon: 34 mm, green with a 16-mm red center stripe; 9 mm green, 16 mm red, 9 mm green.

First class - lightly guilded and with the wreath and outline of the star enameled green

obverse

reverse

Second class - plain bronze

obverse

reverse

[Ed_Haynes]

Ba'ath Party Medal

This is a badge for the Ba'ath Party. It has been awarded in two varieties and for two purposes. In the 1980s, a solid gold badge (with the appropriate Iraqi flag for that period) was awarded for long-serving active members of the Ba'ath Party as a badge of honor and service. In the 1990s, after Gulf War II, the badge was awarded in a cruder bronze gilt version (shown below) with the new Iraqi flag in the suspension. This badge was awarded to recognize exceptional effort to the party during this difficult period.

Established: 1980s, revised after 1991.

Obverse: 31 mm, circular bronze-gilt, a "V"-shaped rooted symbol in the center, the number "7", with an arched enameled Palestinian/Ba'ath flag above, below the circular legend "Nisan" or "April" (for 7 April 1947, the date of the formation of the Ba'ath party). On either side, the legend "Umma arabiya whalida that risala khalida" or "One Arab Nation has One Everlasting Aim". Suspended from a gilt plaque with the legend "Shatar al-Hizb" or "Party Badge" by a coarsely enameled Iraqi flag. The overall vertical dimension is 78 mm. The earlier badge - which has not been seen - is gold and would have the pre-1991 Iraqi flag in the suspension.

Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: None.

[Ed_Haynes]

Sharah 'Uum al-M'aarak / Mother of Battles Badge

Awarded in the aftermath of Gulf War II, it is not presently known what services this award represents (possibly enlisted service?).

Established: Post-1991, due to flag represented on the medal.

Obverse: A 30-mm circular gilt medal, with a properly-enameled curved depiction of the post-1991 Iraqi flag across the top edge. In the center, a eight crossed swords. Suspended from a green-enameled rectangular gilt plaque with the Arabic legend "Sharah 'Uum al-M'aarak" or "Mother of Battles Badge" by a small rectangular gilt plaque with crossed laurel branches. The overall vertical dimension is 77 mm.

Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: None.

[Ed_Haynes]

Wissam 'Uum al-M'aarak / Mother of Battles Medal, 1990-91

The status of Kuwait had, even since the days on the monarchy, been a contentions issue for Iraq. Kuwait was viewed as a creation of late-nineteenth-century British imperialism and severed the only good open-water port from Iraq (making Iraq, in essence, a land-locked country). The Sidqi (1936), Qasim (1961), and al-Bakr (1973) governments had all questioned the legitimnacy of Kuwait. The suffering inflicted on Iraq in the war with Iran (Gulf War I) and the less than sympathetic attitude of some of Iraq's Gulf Arab neighbors led to an increase in tensions with Kuwait throughout the late 1980s. On 2 August 1990 Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait. The United States of America quickly headed up the formation on a multi-national coalition to resist this action. Air operations against Iraq commenced on 16/17 January 1991 and ground operations began on 23/24 February 1991. The U.S. ground offensive ended with a cease-fire 3 March 1991. Awarded to Iraqi armed forces for service in Gulf War II, against the U.S.A. (and allies). A similar medal, on a different ribbon and without the obverse legend, was awarded for the Iran-Iraq War (Gulf War I). The design for both is, of course, derived from the bravery medal.

Established: 1991.

Obverse: Gilt eight-pointed rayed 40 mm sunburst star with black-enameled center with crossed swords and national arms above. On either side of the swords, the Arabic legend "Allah Akbar" or "God is Great". Below the swords, the Arabic legend in black enamel "'Uum al-M'aarak" or "Mother of Battles".

Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: 30 mm, equal stripes of red, white, and black with a thin green center strips; red 2mm, white 5 mm, green 2 mm, white 5 mm, black 9 mm. The ribbon is made from a coarse, almost "plastic" material.

[Ed_Haynes]

Medal for the 1973 War with Israel

With the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, Iraq sent a large number of troops and considerable supplies to the Syrian front. Since there was no Egyptian consultation with her allies when the cease-fire was put into effect, Iraqi forces were withdrawn and relations with Egypt cooled as a result of this campaign.

Obverse: A 43-mm circular gilt medal, enemeled in concentric circles (reading inward) in black, white, and red; the white circlet bears two sets of three green-enameled stars (giving the overall impression of the Iraqi flag). In the center, a gilt triangle, edged green, with the white-enameled Arabic legand "6 Teshrin" or "6 October". Below, on a gilt plaque, the date "1973". Suspended by a linked ring from a straight-bar suspender.

Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: 35 mm, red with a center stripe of yellow interwoven with gold metallic thread; 11 mm red, 13 mm gold-yellow, 11 mm red.

[Ed_Haynes]

Iraqi Army Golden Jubilee, 1921-1971

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Iraqi army in 1921.

Established: 1971. Manufactured by Huguenin (Le Locle, Switzerland).

Obverse: Circular medal, 43 mm. In the center, a soldier blowing a bugle and holding an upright olive brance; behind him, another soldier and a number of flags. Surrounded by an inscription from the Qur'an above "Wa aido Lahum ma Istatitum min Qiqa" or "Prepare for them as much as you can" and below "Al-Youbil al-Thahabi lil Jaish al-Iraqi" or "Golden Jubilee of the Iraqi Army", on either side the dates "1921" and "1971". Suspended from a triangle with the Iraqi national emblem on the reverse.

Reverse: Plain patterned, with "HUGUENIN / SWISS MADE" at the bottom in small letters.

Ribbon: 35 mm, yellow with gold threads woven in and 4 mm green edge stripes; 4 mm green, 27 mm yellow/gold, 4 mm green.

In three classes:

gilt

silvered

bronze

[Ed_Haynes]

Nut al-Salam / Medal for Peace, 1970

Conflicts with the Kurds broke out again in the summer of 1965 and moved Iraqi-Kurdish relations closer to a state of war, and cross-border attacks into Iran complicated what had been in essence an internal matter. It appeared to many that the Shah of Iran was an active supporter of Kurdish rebellion against the Iraqi state. Despite active efforts at settlement, by October 1968, Iraq faced what was essentially a full-scale internal war with its Kurdish population. The Kurds demanded autonomy and appealed for United Nations arbitration. On 11 March 1970, a settlement was, at long last, achieved with the Kurds (thanks in large part to the personal diplomatic interventions of Saddam Hussein) and a formal peace agreement and system for shared authority and administration was concluded.

Established: Law No. 3 of 1971. Manufactured by Hugenin (Le Loche, Switzerland).

Obverse: A 35-mm circular medal with a wreath around the outer edge and swords at the lower border. In the center, with a scene of the Iraqi countryside behind and a cog-wheel above, a Kurd and an Iraqi shake hands. Above all, on a banner, the Arabic legend "11 Aathar 1970" or "11 March 1970". Suspended by a ring.

Reverse: Patterned with a small maker's mark toward the bottom, "HUGUENIN / SWISS MADE".

Ribbon: 36 mm, yellow, with stripes (reading inward) of 4 mm green and 6 mm white; 4 mm green, 6 mm white, 16 mm yellow, 6 mm white, 4 mm green.

Awarded in three classes:

gilt

silvered

bronze

[Ed_Haynes]

Wounded Medal

Established: By Law No. 95 of 1983.

Obverse: A 50-mm gilt star, with maroon-enameled rays behind. In the center, a white-enemeled circle with a maroon-enameled crescent and a gold Iraqi national device in the center. Suspended by a ring from a pentagonal "Warsaw-Pact" style ribbon.

Reverse: Plain stippled.

Ribbon: 46-mm, white with broad 10-mm red edges: 10 mm red, 26 mm white, 10 mm red. The ribbon suspension is in a "Warsaw-Pact" pentagonal style (more similar to Cuba or East Germany than the Soviet Union in overall impression).