Romania Romanian Medals

[Carol I]

Ordinul Meritul Militar, cl. I (Military Merit Order, 1st class) - case

[Carol I]

Ordinul Meritul Militar, cl. a II-a (Military Merit Order, 2nd class)

[Carol I]

Ordinul Meritul Militar, cl. a II-a (Military Merit Order, 2nd class) - case

[Paul R]

Those are beautiful. What are their Soviet equivalents?

[Carol I]

Those are beautiful. What are their Soviet equivalents?

I have no idea whether they have a Soviet equivalent. The Military Merit Order was established in 1954 to replace the system of the 'old regime' of honour signs for long service in the army. The three classes of the Military Merit Order were awarded for 15, 20 and 25 years in the army. The order existed until the year 2000 when the honour signs were re-established.

[Paul R]

Great! Those are the most beautiful Long Service awards I have seen coming out of a Communist Nation.

[wlodzimierz]

just arrived : Order of Tudor Vladimirescu 2nd cl.

[Ed_Haynes]

Not really an order of a medal, but I badge, I may as well add it here rather that start a new thread.

What I believe to be a badge for a veteran of the anti-Fascist struggle.

How it got to Ulanbaatar would be an interesting part of the story to know.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Ed,

Your identification is correct, its for a Romanian WW2 veteran who fought against the Germans.

Kevin in Deva. :beer:

[Paul R]

Thanks for showing your badge, Ed. I have not seen any of these before. Do you have any history on the original owner?

I really like the Order of Tudor Vladimirescu. How many classes were there? What were they awarded for?

[Ed_Haynes]

Thanks for showing your badge, Ed. I have not seen any of these before. Do you have any history on the original owner?

All I know is that I picked it up in Ulanbaatar for almost nothing. There must be a tale, but . . . ????

[Carol I]

I really like the Order of Tudor Vladimirescu. How many classes were there? What were they awarded for?

It was awarded in 5 classes to those "who through their participation to the revolutionary fight have brought a considerable contribution to the achievement of democratic liberties and the establishment of socialism".

[Herr General]

It was awarded in 5 classes to those "who through their participation to the revolutionary fight have brought a considerable contribution to the achievement of democratic liberties and the establishment of socialism".

the Order is also used during state visits. I have a second classe awarded to a Dutch Army driver during a state visit in the 70's.

I have also a Ribbonbar of a General that was awarded a commanders grade during the same state visit!

[Kev in Deva]

the Order is also used during state visits. I have a second classe awarded to a Dutch Army driver during a state visit in the 70's.

I have also a Ribbonbar of a General that was awarded a commanders grade during the same state visit!

Could you please post a picture of the ribbon bar?

Kevin in Deva

[Herr General]

Here it is.

Brigade General G. R. A. Gerritsen

Adjudant to the Queen

Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau -Netherlands

Medal for Order and Peace with 4 clasps - Netherlands

Officers Long service cross with number 30 - Netherlands

Inauguration medal 1980

Commander 1st classe in the Dannebrog Orde of Denmark

Commander in the Legion of Honor of France

Commander in the order of Tudr Vladimerescu of Romania

Commander in the order of the Republik of Tunesia

Officer in the order of the Black Star of Benin

[Herr General]

Is there any information to be found in Romanian archives about decorations to Dutchmen?

[Carol I]

Is there any information to be found in Romanian archives about decorations to Dutchmen?

As far as I know, there was no Chancery of Orders during the communist years, but all decorations were awarded through decrees which had to be published in Buletinul Oficial, so in theory that could be a starting point for looking for names. You could also try to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see whether they kept records of awards to foreigners (but they are very slow to answer).

[Herr General]

As far as I know, there was no Chancery of Orders during the communist years, but all decorations were awarded through decrees which had to be published in Buletinul Oficial, so in theory that could be a starting point for looking for names. You could also try to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see whether they kept records of awards to foreigners (but they are very slow to answer).

Thanks for your reply. Do you know someone with access to the Buletinul Oficial?

[Carol I]

Thanks for your reply. Do you know someone with access to the Buletinul Oficial?

In principle they should be available at major libraries or regional offices of the National Archives, but unfortunately I do not know anyone who could go and check personally.