Chris Boonzaier Posted March 22, 2008 Author Posted March 22, 2008 Here are three stages of a medal.Left is the "Industrial age medal"... maybe never touched by human hands until awarded. Anyone who has held one will marvel the chrome, heavy stamped pieces, sharp edges and admittedly not bad finish.Middle is the same, the keyring finish ground off the back, the chrome removed, the shapr corners and edges removed, then silver plated.Right Using the old key ring clunker as a model, a "hand made" using a mold version with an improved hanger.... 1
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 22, 2008 Author Posted March 22, 2008 The sterling silver one is a tad smaller, somehow "Finer" than the industrial medal. 1
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 22, 2008 Author Posted March 22, 2008 You can see the difference in size... the Industrial one is heavier and clumsy next to the "hand made" one.The central device has been reused... 1
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 22, 2008 Author Posted March 22, 2008 An added advantage is the hand made one will develope a patina.It hangs a bit higher on the ribbon as well, but I think that is a positive change,,,, 1
Chris Boonzaier Posted April 10, 2008 Author Posted April 10, 2008 Well... a test at mounting them on the ball bars.... 50% success... not yet looking REALLY good....I will have to break out the needle and thread again, but this is the medals mounted on a darkblue/black wool backing... 1
Ed_Haynes Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 Interesting.Why a clasp on the UN medal? Very few clasps were authorised for these medals.Ignoring the reinvetions.
Chris Boonzaier Posted April 11, 2008 Author Posted April 11, 2008 Hi,It is the sarajevo clasp. Back then Sarajevo was pretty much the middle point of the mess. From what I understand it was introduced (by the local French Unprofor commander) as a distinction for the troops serving in the city and outskirts.It was on the medal when it was awarded, only when I started collecting medals again did I even begin to wonder why it was there.It is made in the same style as the Medaille Outre Mer bars.BestChris.
Chris Boonzaier Posted April 11, 2008 Author Posted April 11, 2008 Aren't you owed a NATO medal as well?Nope, pre NATO.BestChris
Veteran Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 Hi ChrisA very worthy achievement. I am glad you finished your project and shared it with us. Thank you.I am very impressed with the group you have here : 8 awards... (5 years service ?). Took me about 50 years to gather that many ribbons on my chest...All this is a pleasure. Congratulations.Et vive la L?gion NdD !Greetings Veteran
Ulsterman Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 (edited) Nope, pre NATO.BestChrisYeah-but I thought the NATO award was back-dated for service starting in 1992 right through to 2002.Weren't you in the airport in 92-93?see here:http://www.pbase.com/zidar/image/68043550I note that it has also been given to a few war correspondents. Edited April 11, 2008 by Ulsterman
Chris Boonzaier Posted November 21, 2008 Author Posted November 21, 2008 Yeah-but I thought the NATO award was back-dated for service starting in 1992 right through to 2002.Weren't you in the airport in 92-93?see here:http://www.pbase.com/zidar/image/68043550I note that it has also been given to a few war correspondents.Hi,The guys in my company who did the NEXT tour qualify as they were by then under NATO command. We were not at the time.bestChris
Chris Boonzaier Posted November 21, 2008 Author Posted November 21, 2008 Weeeeeeeeeellllllllll.....How slow can a bureaucrat move?Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrry slow indeed :-) I called up today to find out the status on the award of the Croix de combattant.I knew the criteria were met, that the papers were through....Today the lady told me that the award proposal was finally signed and approved. They now had to issue the card of entitlement, which I should get at the beginning of next year.... slooooooooooooowwwwww.Anyway, its no big deal, the card will land up in a binder with my other papers....but I have the medals all mounted... it just would not feel "Right" hanging them on the wall until i had the official paperwork through, signed sealed and delivered.So.... they will gather dust in a drawer for another few months....Still, nice to know that it is a step closer and only a formality away...
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