David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:14pm
|
La Croce Oriente Balcanic
La Croce Oriente Balcanico. Similar to the army crosses above, this was an unofficial medal struck by the "Fassino" firm in Turin in 1924, as a memento of the expeditionary corps in the Balkans (Albania and Macedonia primarily) from December 1914 to 1919.
The ribbon has a black central stripe (one third of the overall width) flanked on both sides by five narrow stripes in red-orange-blue-orange-red. The medal was designed by the painter Adolfo Caly, and advertised in the popular magazine "Domenica del Corriere"; earnings from its sale were assigned to the Balkan Veteran's Union.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:17pm
|
M
M?daille d'honneur pour actes de courage et de d?vouement (Medal of Honor for Acts of Courage and Devotion) This is an old award, with a somewhat complicated history. As an award, it existed since the days
of Louis XIV. King Louis Philippe made it a wearable medal on April 12, 1831. Over the years, the design of the medal has varied depending of it was issued by the Monarchy, the Empire, or the Republic. Medals of Honor were bestowed by certain Ministries within the French government which had their own variations in medallion the design. The ribbon was always Blue / White / Red. There were five classes of this award. The lowest class had a bronze medallion, hung from a plain Blue/White/Red ribbon. Next came the Silver, 2nd Class, with a silver medallion, hung from the simple ribbon. Silver First Class had a silver medallion, but added a silver wreath device pinned to the ribbon. The 'Vermeill' award had a silver-gilt medallion, and silver-gilt wreath pin on the ribbon. The highest level of the award was the Gold, which had a gold medallion (though sometimes this was also silver-gilt when gold was in short supply). The Gold award also had a gold wreath pin and a tricolor rosette on the ribbon.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:30pm
|
Das Kolonialabzeichen
Das Kolonialabzeichen. The Colonial Badge, also called Elephantenorden (Elephant's Order). Awarded to all German colonials who, during the 1st WW and in the former German colonies, were acting or serving on behalf of the colonies.
This silvered badge made of copper or aluminium has on the obverse a palm tree and an elephant. The lower part of the badge is covered with oak leaves and around the upper rim are the place names "S?DSEE * AFRIKA * KIAUTSCHOU" referring to the larger areas where German colonies were situated. The pin backed reverse has only the text "GES. GESCH?TZT NR. 33992" (Legally protected Nr. 33992).
This official decoration was instituted in October 1921 and was to be purchased by the recipient. By 21 November 1936 some 8,000 were issued and it is safe to assume that few later awards took place.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:31pm
|
Das Ehren- und Erinnerung
Das Ehren- und Erinnerungskreuz des Marinekorps Flandern (Honor and Remembrance Cross of the Navy Corps, Flanders) also referred to as "Flandernkreuz". This was a non-official decoration awarded during the Weimar Republic, most likely as a commemorative token to members of the Navy Corps stationed on the Flemish coast in Belgium.
This bronze cross has crossed swords between the cross's arms and has on the obverse a central medaillon with, within a laurel wreath, an anchor on the letter "W" (Emperor Wilhelm) and an emperor's crown on top. The cross's arms bear the text "Zur See / Unbe- / siegt / Im Felde" which should be read : Zur See, Im Felde, unbesiegt (on the seas, in the field, unvanquished).
The reverse has the "Kriegsflagge", the German Navy Battle Flag, in the laurel wreathed medaillon and a Flemish lion in the upper cross arm. The remaining arms have the text "MARINE- / KORPS - 1914/18". The ribbon is in the then German national colours.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:35pm
|
Pour le M
Pour le M?rite. The "Blue Max" is among the most famous decorations of all time. It was Prussia's highest military award, given not for individual acts of gallantry, but for repeated and continual gallantry in action. Although the Pour le M?rite has a civilian version (still awarded to this day), it is almost considered to be an entirely different decoration. The award could be made with a golden oak leaves device on the suspension ring - a distinction added for exceptional merit, usually to recipients of high rank. There was also a Grand Cross of the order, but it was not used during World War I. There were 1,687 awarded during the First World War, 122 with oak leaves. The Pour le M?rite was different than many bravery awards in that it could not be awarded posthumously. The recipient needed to be alive. Many German servicemen died while the paperwork for their Blue Max was being considered and as such were never 'credited' with the award even though they might have been had they lived. Also, unlike other awards, the Pour le M?rite was to be worn whenever the recipient was in uniform and not just on dress occasions. For that reason, many Blue Max crosses show signs of considerable wear and tear.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:43pm
|
Verwundetenmedaille
Verwundetenmedaille (Wound Medal) Awarded to members of the Army or Navy who were wounded in battle. This medal in grey metal bears, on the obverse, the head of Emperor Karl and has along the upper rim his name 'CAROLVS'. The reverse (shown in the enlargement) has the text "LAESO / MILITI" (to the military wounded) and below "MCMXVIII" (1918 in Roman figures). The medal was instituted on 12 August 1917 but only struck in 1918 which explains the year on the reverse. According to the number of wounds received, the ribbon has 1 to 5 central red stripes, bordered black.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:43pm
|
Eisernes Verdienstkreuz
Eisernes Verdienstkreuz (Iron Cross for Merit) Awarded to soldiers or civil servants of lower rank for merit. This decoration was instituted on 1 April 1916 and could be awarded with or without an imperial crown. For service at the front, gilt swords attached to the ribbon were instituted on 13 December 1916. The cross could be suspended on the ribbon of the Bravery Medal in case of war merit or on a plain red ribbon for merit in times of peace. Awards of the latter kind were apparently never made. The obverse has a central medaillion in which the imperial monogram "FJ" (Franz Joseph) is placed within an inner circle bearing the motto "VIRIBUS UNITIS" (by united forces). The reverse (shown in the enlargement) bears the year of institution '1916' within a stylised wreath. The larger part of recipients of this decoration can be found among members of the medical corps, the field railroad corps and the military postal services.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:44pm
|
Karl-Truppenkreuz
Karl-Truppenkreuz (Karl-Troops Cross) - Awarded to all troops (militias included) who served in the field against an enemy for a minimum of 12 months and participated in at least one battle. The cross was instituted on 13 December 1916 and between 1 July 1917 and 30 June 1918 some 651,000 were struck. The grey metal cross has on its obverse arms the words "GRATI // PRINCEPS ET PATRIA // CAROLVS / IMP. ET REX" (Thanks - Sovereign and Fatherland - Karl, Emperor and King) and on the reverse, on the upper arm the two crowns for Austria and Hungary and the letter "C" (Carolus), on the other arms "VITAM ET SANGVINEM // MDCCCCXVI" (with life and blood - 1916).
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:51pm
|
War Cross
War Cross. Awarded for individual acts of military valour between 27 July 1914 and 28 October 1918 (later extended to include actions in 1919 against Poland and against Hungary).
This bronze medal was instituted on 7 November 1918 and is formed by four overlapping circles. The obverse has in the upper circle the climbing, double-tailed lion of Bohemia, in the left circle the chequered eagle of Moravia, in the right circle the Silesian eagle and in the lower circle three mountains and the double-barred cross of Slovakia. The reverse has the intertwined letters CS (Czechoslovakia) on a background of linden leaves. Functioning somewhat like the French Croix de Guerre, a number of emblems could be attached to the ribbon :
For a unit citation in an Army Order, a spray of linden leaves
For a unit citation in a Divisional Order, a single linden leaf
For an individual citation in an Army Order, a silver star
For an individual citation in a Divisional Order a bronze star.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:51pm
Rating: 10
|
Medal of the Revolution
Medal of the Revolution -- Awarded to all volunteers of the Czechoslovak Army who enlisted before the proclamation of the Provisional Government in Paris and to others who had rendered military or political services towards the independance of Czechoslovakia.
The bronze medal was instituted by the Provisional Government in Paris on 1 July 1918 and consists of a cross lying on a broad circle. On the obverse cross stands a winged horse with a nude horseman holding a flag. On the riband between the cross arms is the legend "VZHURU NA STRAZ SVOBODNY NA'BODE" (keep good watch, free nations).
The reverse has a winged female figure holding a stone block over her head, while at her feet are snakes. On the stone is the text "ZA ZVOBODY" (for liberty).
A number of emblems are related to this medal : silver bars for actions and smaller bars indicating the recipient's regiment. Unit Citation emblems are also in evidence.
Among the action bars are, for Czechs fighting in France : Alsace, Argonne, Peronne and L.E. (L?gion Etrang?re - the Foreign Legion), for actions in Russia : Zhorov, Bachmac, Sibir (Siberia) and C.D. (Czech Brigade) and for actions in Italy : Doss'Alto and Piave.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:52pm
|
Victory Medal
Victory Medal. Awarded to all who served during WWI. The obverse of this bronze medal has the customary winged Victory with raised arms, holding an olive branch and a sword point downwards. The reverse shows a shield with the crowned rampant double-tailed lion of Bohemia with the arms of Silesia on its chest. To both sides of the shield are ribbons bearing the dates 1914 and 1919 while the shield is surrounded by small linden leaves. The reverse's edge bears a circle with the legend "SVETOVA VALKA ZA CIVILISACI" (the world war for civilization).
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:52pm
|
Commemorative Cross for V
Commemorative Cross for Volunteers. Awarded to those that participated in actions in Slovakia against the Hungarian troops of Bela Kun. This decoration is not for WWI action (Allies vs Central Powers), but to the related struggle for Czechoslovakia's independence immediately afterward. The obverse has a central shield with the Bohemian lion. The reverse carries the inscription: V TEZKYCH DOBACH ("In Hard Times).
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:55pm
Rating: 10
|
The Medal of Liberty
The Medal of Liberty. Associated with the Cross of Liberty and instituted at the same time, on 4 March 1918, by the Senate at Wasa. The medal was created in two classes, the 1st class in silver (blue ribbon with thin white side stripes, the 2nd class in bronze, (scarlet ribbon with broad yellow stripes) for award to noncoms and other ranks for bravery in the field.
The obverse shows the head of a crowned Finnish lion, raising a paw holding a sword. Around the edge are the words "URHEUDESTA F?R TAPPERHET" (For Bravery, in Finnish and Swedish). The reverse has a laurel wreath surrounding the text "SUOMEN / KANSALTA / 1918" (From the people of Finland).
For medical and nursing services the medals could be awarded with a red cross near the base.
|
|
David
Sat February 26, 2005 9:57am
|
The Battle of Hastings, 1
The Battle of Hastings, 1066, A.D.
|
|
David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:15am
|
Corozal American Cemetery
The Corozal American Cemetery is located approximately three miles north of Panama City, Republic of Panama, just off Gaillard Highway between the Corozal Railroad Station and Fort Clayton. To reach the cemetery, follow Gaillard Highway north from Panama City, turn right on Rufina Alfaro and proceed about one half mile to the cemetery. Taxi and bus service to the cemetery are available from Panama City. In agreement with the Republic of Panama, care and maintenance of the cemetery in perpetuity was assumed by the American Battle Monuments Commission on October 1, 1979.
At this cemetery, sixteen acres in extent, are interred 5,197 American veterans and others. A small memorial feature sits atop a knoll overlooking the graves area. It consists of a paved plaza with a twelve-foot rectangular granite obelisk flanked by two flagpoles which fly the American and Panamanian flags. Floral tributes are laid at the obelisk during memorial services. A paved walk leads from the plaza to the chapel at the foot of the knoll. Engraved on the obelisk is the following:
THIS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IN HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO ALL INTERRED HERE
WHO SERVED IN ITS ARMED FORCES OR
CONTRIBUTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION,
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF
THE PANAMA CANAL
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
|
|
|
The Patriot Files Forums
