David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:47am
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Distinguished Flying Meda
Distinguished Flying Medal
The Distinguished Flying Medal was instituted on 3 June 1918 to be was awarded to non-commissioned-officers and men for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy.
The silver-coloured award has the shape of an oval medal, 1.375 inches wide and 1.625 inches long. On the obverse you can see the bareheaded coinage effigy of :
King George V, facing left and the legend : GEORGEIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:
King George VI, facing left and the legend : GEORGEIVS VID: G: BR: OMN: REX F.D: IND: IMP:
On the reverse, within a wreath of laurel, Athena Nike is shown seated on an aeroplane, a hawk rising from her right arm above the words : FOR COURAGE.
The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, and consists of alternate violet and white stripes (0,0625 inches) leaning 45 degrees to the left. Until 1919, the stripes were horizontal. The medal was engraved with the service number, rank, initials, surname and service of the recipient.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:48am
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Distinguished Service Med
Distinguished Service Medal
The Distinguished Service Medal was instituted on 14 October 1914 and was awarded to (Chief) Petty Officers and men of the Navy, Army and Air Force personnel of equal rank serving with the fleet, who show themselves to the force in action, and set an example of bravery and resource under fire, but without performing acts of such pre-eminent bravery as would render them eligible to receive the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. A silver-coloured bar is awarded for additional acts of bravery.
The silver-coloured award has the shape of a circular medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. The obverse shows a crowned effigy of :
KING GEORGE VI:A, facing left and one of the legends :
GEORGEIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP: (for WWII).
GEORGEIVS VI DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: (for Korea).
QUEEN ELIZABETH II, facing right and the legend :
ELIZABETH II D: G: BR: OMN: REGINA R: D: (for Korea and Vietnam).
The reverse shows the legend FOR / DISTINGUISHED / SERVICE in three lines, encircled by a laurel wreath and surmounted by an Imperial Crown. The medal is awarded with the inscription of the service number, rank, initials, surname and service of the recipient.
The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide and consists of three equal vertical stripes : dark blue, white and dark blue, with a thin dark blue stripe down the centre of the white.
Total issued to Canadians : 116 plus 2 bars, 114 + 2 bars during the Second World War and two awards during the Korea War.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:49am
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Distinguished Conduct Med
Distinguished Conduct Medal
This decoration was instituted by Queen Victoria on 4 December 1854, during the Crimean War, as a mean of recognising acts of gallantry in action performed by Warrant-officers, non-commissioned officers and men. The decoration was recommended by the Commander-in-Field, and the D.C.M. was the second highest award for gallantry in action, after the Victoria Cross, for all ranks below commissioned officers. Recipients may use the letters DCM after their name.
Acting upon the fear during the First World War that the overwhelming demand for medals would devalue the prestige of those already available, the Military Medal was issued as an alternative to the D.C.M. from March 1916. Although the D.C.M. remained available, the lesser Military Medal was usually awarded from this date and the D.C.M. was reserved for exceptional acts of bravery.
The silver coloured award has a diameter of 36 mm, and the obverse shows the head of the reigning monarch. The reverse contained the legend ?For Distinguished Conduct in the Field? and the rank, initials, surname and unit of the recipient are impressed on the reverse. In 1993 the Distinguished Conduct Medal was replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Awards of the medal were announced in the London Gazette accompanied by a citation.
The crimson ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with a vertical dark blue central stripe (0.375 inches). A bar was awarded for a subsequent act or acts of distinguished conduct in the field.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:50am
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British Empire Medal
British Empire Medal
The British Empire Medal was created by Royal Warrant on 29 December 1922 and replaced the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (1907-1922). The medal was awarded for meritorious service in the British Empire. In 1922, the medal was divided into ?The Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Gallantry (known as the Empire Gallantry Medal - EGM)? and ?The Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service ? BEM)?. After the EGM was superseded by the George Cross on 24 September 1940, the BEM continued to be awarded for gallantry, but a degree less than that required to earn the George Medal.
A bar was awarded for additional acts of gallantry and in 1957 a silver oak leaf emblem was worn on the ribbon to signify that the award was for gallantry and not for service.
The award is a circular silver medal with a diameter of 1.42 inches. On the obverse is the picture of ?Britannia? seated, with the sun to her right. Legends around the edge reads FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE and on the below of the award is the inscription FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE. The EGM had the inscription FOR GALLANTRY on the below.
On the reverse of the award are the Royal Cypher inscribed surmounted by a crown with the words : INSTITUTED BY KING GEORGE V within a border of four heraldic lions.
Until 1938 the civil ribbon was purple (1.25 inches wide) and the military ribbon had a narrow central stripe added. From 1938 the civil ribbon is pink with pearl-grey edges and the military ribbon has a narrow, pearl-grey central stripe added.
Military awards have the service number, full name and unit or service engraved and civil awards have the names in full engraved.
During World War 2 a total of 1236 medals were awarded. For merit 1202 medals and for gallantry 34 medals.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:52am
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Defence Medal 1939-1945
Defence Medal 1939-1945
The Defence Medal was awarded for service in the forces in non-operational areas subjected to air attack or closey threatened for at least three years service in Great Britain until 8th May 1945 or six months in territories overseas until 2 September 1945. In the case of mine and bomb disposal units the time qualification was three months and Canadians serving for one year in Newfoundland were eligible and persons serving for six months in Hong Kong were also eligible. Service in West Africa, Palestine and India, other than operational air crew, qualified also for this award. Those awarded the George Cross or the George Medal for civil defence received this award and the Home Guard gualified also for this award.
Owing to the terms of reference it was not unusual to find a person with this awards who had never heard a shot fired, but a person with only the Defence Medal, for example, whilst serving in the rescue services in London earned also this award and only the man who wears this award knows how it was earned.
The award has the coinage head of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse shows the Royal Crown resting above a small oak tree and flanked by two heraldic lions. The dates 1939 and 1945 appear in the top left and right respectively on the reverse, whilst beneath are the words THE DEFENCE MEDAL.
The light green ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with a central stripe of orange, which is 0.5 inches wide, and a narrow black stripe in the middle of each green stripe. The orange (flame colour) represents the enemy attacks on the green land of England and the black stripes represents the black-outs.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:54am
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Afrika Star
Afrika Star
The Africa Star is awarded for at least one day of active service in or over North Africa between 10 June 1940 (the date of Italy?s declaration of war) and 12 May 1943 (the end of operations in North Africa). Active service in Abyssinia, Somaliland, Eritrea and Malta during this period also qualified the award, just as Royal or Merchant Navy service in the Mediterranean.
Three bars were awarded for :
1. 8th Army, for service in the Eighth Army between 23 October 1942 and 23 May 1943. The silver coloured cipher ?8? is worn on the ribbon in undress to denote this clasp.
2. 1st Army, for service in the First Army or any unit under its command from 23 October 1942 and 23 May 1943. The silver coloured cipher ?1? is worn on the ribbon in indress to denote this clasp.
3. North Africa Star 1942-1943, to Naval, RAF and Merchant Navy personnal operating in specified areas from 23 October 1942 to 12 May 1943. In undress, a rosette on the ribbon denotes this bar.
The bronze award has the shape of a six-pointed star. On the obverse the Africa Star has a circular centre with the GRI/VI monogram, surmounted by a crown and inscribed THE AFRICA STAR around the ribbon. The reverse of the award is plain and is issued unnamed.
The ribbon is pale buff with in the centre a wide vertical red stripe and on the left a narrow vertical dark blue strip and on the left a narrow vertical light blue stripe. The colours represent the desert, Army, Navy and Air Force.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:58am
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Atlantic Star
Atlantic Star
The Atlantic Star was awarded to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic to crew of the Royal Navy and the Royal Merchant Navy for operational services afloat for 6 months in the Atlantic, Home waters and Russian convoys or 2 months for air crew in this areas between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 or 2 september 1945 for operational services in the Pacific.
The Atlantic Star may not be awarded unless the 1939-1945 STAR has been qualified for by 180 days operational service afloat or by 2 months service for airborne service and therefore, the total requirement for the Atlantic Star is 12 months afloat or 4 months for airborne service.
Though this award was normally granted to the Royal Navy and the Royal Merchant Navy, many Army and Royal Air Force personnel could qualify for this award. For example, soldiers were frequently used to man the guns of armed merchant ships, but to qualify for this award a soldier must go to sea for the same time and in the same areas as the service with which he served.
Those who also qualified for the France & Germany Star and the Aircrew Europe Star could wear a clasp on the ribbon of the first star earned.
The Atlantic Star is a six pointed star with the Royal Cipher ?GRI VI? surmounted by a crown with the inscription ?THE ATLANTIC STAR?. The reverse is plain and blank and the award is issued unnamed.
The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with three equal stripes of dark blue, white and green and respresents the colours of the Atlantic Ocean.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 4:57am
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Wounded Badge
Wounded Badge
This decoration has two variants:
- Sen-sho for persons wounded in battle;
- Ko'sho for persons wounded in other circumstances.
The Sen-sho variant is shown here.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 9:48am
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Chateau-Thierry Medal
Chateau-Thierry Medal -- Created in July 1920 by the town, to celebrate the efforts of American and French soldiers who fought in the vicinity. Two basic designs exist for this medal, but there are variants. One design depicts, on its obverse, the busts of George Washington and Lafayette, both facing left, the latter in front. The words "Chateau-Thierry: Cote 204" are in raised letters on the 'sash' suspension device. The reverse has the image of the Legion d' Honneur. I've seen two variants of this first design. One has finer details, such as the inscription of "WASHINGTON" and "LAFAYETTE" around the rim of the obverse, and more delicate details in the suspension device. Another variant has more robust lettering, deeper relief and chunkier details in the suspension device. This other variant also has the artist's name inscribed in Lafayette's shoulder, where the finer variant has none.
The second design also has Washington and Lafayette, but has the pair facing right, Washington in front. The second design's reverse has a stylized sunburst below the inscription text. It has the deeper relief and chunkier details, similar to the variant of the first design.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:10pm
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Medaglia Al Valore Milita
Medaglia Al Valore Militare (Military Medal for Valor) Awarded to the military for exceptional valour which did not warrant the award of the Military Order of Savoia. This medal was instituted in March 1833 by King Albert of Sardinia in three classes : gold, silver and bronze and was meant for award to army and navy personnel.
- In 1836 and 1927 similar medals were created for resp. navy and air force. When awarded, the recipient's name was written on the reverse of the medal. During World War I the words "GUERRA DI 1915-1918" (War of 1915-1918) were written above the recipient's name.
- The medal's obverse has changed a number of times : the WWI obverse bears the royal weapon of Savoia under a crown. During WWII, the "Italian Socialist Republic" the arms and crown were replaced by a Roman short sword, point upwards, on a background of laurel and oak leaves. After WWII, these were replaced by a five pointed star within a cogweel and "REPUBLICA ITALIANA" at the lower rim.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:10pm
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Croce al Merito di Guerra
Croce al Merito di Guerra (War Merit Cross) Awarded to members of the armed forces for war merit in operations on land, sea or in the air, after minimum one year of service in the trenches or elsewhere, in contact with an enemy.
This bronze cross was instituted by King Victor Emanuel III on 19 January 1918 and was also awarded to those who, wounded in combat, were given the Medal of the Wounded or to those who, mentioned for war merit, received a promotion.
When having performed an act of valour which was deemed insufficient for the Medal of Military Valour, the War Merit Cross could be awarded instead. From 1922 onwards a bronze sword on the ribbon designated such an award.
From its institution till 30 May 1927 1,034,924 Crosses were issued. A second award was indicated by a bronze star on the ribbon.
The reverse bears a 5-pointed star on a background of rays. The obverse has the royal cypher in the upper arm (VE III under a crown), "MERITO DI GVERRA" (War Merit) on the horizontal arms and a roman sword point upwards, on oak leaves, in the lower arm.
- During WWII, the War Merit Cross underwent a number of changes.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:11pm
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Medaglia di Volontario di
Medaglia di Volontario di Guerra 1915-1918 (Medal for the War Volunteer 1915-1918) Awarded to those who entered the Italian armed forces as volunteers during WWI. This bronze medal was instituted on 24 May 1924 and has the crowned head of "Italia" on the obverse as well as the words "PER L'ITALIA" (For Italy). The reverse depicts a naked warrior bearing a shield and a veiled woman behind him. Around the rim the medal's title and the war's dates "VOLONTARIO DI GVERRA MCMXV-MCMXVIII".
- The same medal, bearing other dates, was also issued for the 2nd World War while another one was awarded for a number of colonial wars. The latter one has the years 1936-39 in Roman figures and the letters A.O.I. (Africa Orientale Italiana, Italian East Africa) on the reverse.
- Very often the medal is found without any dates at all which is probably a modern restrike which can be used for either World War.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:11pm
Rating: 10
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Medaglia Della Vittoria I
Medaglia Della Vittoria Interalleata (Medal of Allied Victory) Awarded to participants of the 1st World War. The obverse depicts a winged Victory on a triumphal chariot drawn by four lions while the reverse has a tower-like structure from which fly 2 doves. Around the upper rim is the text "GRANDE GVERRA PER LA CIVILITA" (The Great War for Civilization), in the middle the war years "MXMXIV" and "MXMXVIII" and in the exergue "AL COMBATIENTI DELLA NAZIONE ALLEATE ED ASSOCIATE" (To the combattants of the allied and associated countries).
The medal was instituted on 6 April 1922.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:12pm
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Medaglia di Madri e Vedov
Medaglia di Madri e Vedove Dei Caduti (Medal for Mothers and Widows of the Fallen.) This medal was instituted on 24 May 1919 as a token of national gratitude.
The obverse has an allegorical design showing a woman offering a laurel wreath to a dying soldier while another woman stands in the background. The reverse is completely filled with the text IL FIGLI / CHE TI NACQVE / DAL DOLORE / TI RINASCE "O BEATA" / NELLA GLORIA / E IL VIVO EROE / "PIENA DI GRAZIA " / E TECO (the son which was born out of you in pain, is reborn to you, o blessed one, full of glory and he lives as a hero. With gratitude).
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:12pm
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Turkish War Medal and Lib
Turkish War Medal and Libyan Medal. While Italy's war with Turkey predates WWI. We include these two related medals here since that conflict is intertwined with the Balkan Wars that ultimately culminated in the Great War. These medals may also appear among WWI veterans' awards.
- The two medals have identical ribbons of blue and red stripes. The obverses are also identical, carrying the likeness of King Vittorio Emanuele III. The turkish campaign medal was instituted by King Vittorio Emanuele III in November 1912. The reverse of the Turkish War medal bears the inscription "GUERRA ITALO-TURCA 1911-12". The Libyan medal was instituted by King Vittorio Emanuele III in September of 1913. The reverse of the Libya Medal bears the inscription, "LIBIA".
- The two may appear together on the same uniform. The medals could be frontally distinguished by the bars of the ribbon: a "1911-12" bar for the turkish campaign, a "1912" and/or "1913", or "1912-13" bar for the libyan campaign.
- A variant ribbon has been seen a few times for the Turkish War medal. It's significance is undetermined as yet.
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