Netherlands DUTCH MILITARY SPORTS BADGE

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gentlemen,

Just arrived into Transylvania direct from Jacky in Holland. My first Dutch piece.

Dutch Military Sports Badge, era??

A Wreath with crossed swords with a styleized blue triangle, which I have been told denotes swimming, any more info gratefuly appreciated.

Measures: 44mm in height and 44mm at the widest point (Sword handle to Sword tip), the rear has a pin broach fastening.

Kevin in Deva

[Kev in Deva]

The Rear:

Kevin in Deva.

[Jacky]

Hi Kevin,

I hope you will like it.

Just a way to say thank you, with a little intrigueing piece.

kind regards,

Jacky

[ErikMuller]

Kevin,

This is the "Brevet voor Militair Lichamelijke Vaardigheid" (Military Physical Proficiency Badge) or just "MLV" Badge.

It is awarded in three different designs:

In plain bronze

In bronze with blue enamel

In gilded bronze with the word "UNIFIL" on it.

The badge was instituted in 1947 and awarded for completing a course of physical tests. Over the time the tests changed, but they would include:

100 m. running

2000 m. endurance run

1000 m. field run

distance jumping

handgrenade throwing

robe climbing

which qualifies for the plain bronze badge

and 100 m swimming, which qualifies for the bronze badge with blue enamel

Of course all within an amount of time!

The UNIFIL-badge is unofficial, but was awarded to the UNIFIL-soldiers who qualified while under UNIFIL-flag in Lebanon.

Cheers,

Erik

[Kev in Deva]

Kevin,

The UNIFIL-badge is unofficial, but was awarded to the UNIFIL-soldiers who qualified while under UNIFIL-flag in Lebanon.

Cheers, Erik

Hallo Eric, many thanks for the information on this, any chance you have a picture of the UNIFIL one? being an old IRISH UNIFIL vet it would be interesting to see one

Kevin in Deva

Edited January 31, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[ErikMuller]

Hallo Eric, many thanks for the information on this, any chance you have a picture of the UNIFIL one? being an old IRISH UNIFIL vet it would be interesting to see one

Kevin in Deva

Left is the all bronze version (my own, I hated swimming)

Right is the UNIFIL version

[ErikMuller]

To explain the design, the badge was called "Militaire Lichamelijke Vaardigheid"-badge, short: MLV. Below I've tried to explain the shape: The letters MLV. The swords are to dignify the military aspect. The oak leave wreath is to dignify the victory. The badge was designed by Frans Smits, who, amongst other medals, also designed the Dutch War Commemorative Cross, Mobilisation War Cross, Resistance Commemorative Cross, Commemorative Medal Peacekeeping Operations, etc.

Frans Smits also designed all the Dutch ceremonial uniforms.

[Jacky]

And....

he has passed away, such a great man.

If I'm correct, he himself was a decorandus of;

-Knight orange Nassau

- War Commemorative Cross with clasp "Netherlands May 1940"

- Resistance Commemorative Cross

- Knight of Adolph of Nassau (luxembourg)

- honourable gold medal of ministery of defence.

- honourable golden coin of the chef of the land-forces

- prince Hendrik the Sailor-Coin of the Royal marine

That makes him a receipment of two of his own designed medals.

But I couldnt find the resistance commemorative cross in his Curiculum Vitea

(but I just got the information from Internet, and internet isn't really reliable on it own.)

He has even designed uniforms for the emperor Hale Selassi.

Of the dutch decorations;

medal of orde & peace.

Mobilisation War Cross

Resistance Star South East Asia

Cross for justice & Peace.

here, one can find more pictures of his burial and the guard of honor with his own designed uniforms.

Kind regards,

Jacky

[Jan51180]

I did the award last week. I have the certificate but not the award. could you tell me how I can get this badge?

Edited July 21, 2016 by Jan51180

[ErikMuller]

LOL, usually people are happy to receive the award and have to wait a long time for the certicate. You can buy the badge in most army stores. Or you can look at the Dutch eBay clone: http://www.marktplaats.nl/z.html?query=MLV