East German medal / star - need help

[Tupper]

Hello there. 

I found this medal. What is it? How old is it? Why has the small bar a different pin setup. 

 

[Daniel Krause]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriotic_Order_of_Merit

[speedytop]

Hi Tupper,

it is the last version 1984 - 1989 of the "Vaterländischer Verdienstorden" (VVO).

One bar is for the wear with the decoration, the other is for the wear without the decoration.

It was possible and often done, that the decorations have been awarded more than once, e.g. for internationally successful athletes.

Uwe

[Tupper]

Thank you so much! 

 

I also have the red box. But the white interior is a bit dirty. Any chance to clean it? 

[Gordon Craig]

Tupper,

I wouldn't try to clean the interior.  Better to leave it as it is.  No way of know what the results will be if you try and clean it.  Uwe said it was the last type.  That is shown by the simplified type of pin used to attach the award to the tunic.  Earlier awards had a more complicated type of latch for the pin.

Regards,

Gordon

 

[Tupper]

OK thank you. So it will stay like it is. 

Thank you guys for your help

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

as a matter of interest,

I would like to post the images of the "Vaterländische Verdienstorden" in Silver and Bronze, with their award documents, from the group of orders and decorations of Colonel Eugen Classe, a former high ranking officer of the Ministry for State Security (MfS).

The Bronze badge, shows the typical difference to the suspension bar's loop, from the later model.

All the best,

Enzo (E.L.)

[Tupper]

Oh that's cool thank you 

[Daniel Krause]

Wow!

 

a nice example for the complete different handling of decorations in the Stasi.

An Army Major would be happy to get a NVA merit medal in Gold or a Kampforden in Bronce; a Stasi Major could get already a VVO :-)

..and not to forget the nice extra money which came with it.

 

Best,

Daniel

[Elmar Lang]

...Colonel Classe also had the Kampforden in Bronze and Silver... and many, further awards...

[Megan]

The last version of this award is also distinctive in having the 'stipple' effect on the reverse, rather than the completely plain one of earlier types.

[speedytop]

This is the first type, awarded 1956 to Manfred Ewald, since 1961 president of the DTSB (Deutscher Turn- und Sportbund) in the DDR:

Uwe