David
Wed February 12, 2003 9:39pm
|
China Campaign Medal with
CHINA CAMPAIGN MEDAL
1. Description: The medal is 1 1/4 inch in diameter with an oxidized, relieved finish.
Obverse: On the obverse is the Imperial Chinese five-toed dragon with the inscription CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION around the upper border and the dates 1900 - 1901 at the bottom.
Reverse: On the reverse is a trophy composed of an eagle perched on a cannon supported by crossed flags, rifles, an Indian shield, spear and quiver of arrows, a Cuban machete, and a Sulu kris. Below the trophy are the words FOR SERVICE. Around the border at the top are the words UNITED STATES ARMY and around the bottom are thirteen stars.
Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches in width and is composed of the following vertical stripes: 1/16 inch ultramarine blue, 1 1/4 inch golden yellow, and 1/16 inch ultramarine blue.
2. Criteria: The medal is awarded for service ashore in China with the Peking Relief Expedition between June 20, 1900 and May 27, 1901.
3. Components: a. Medal. MIL-DTL-3943/189.
b. Ribbon. MIL-DTL-11589/21.
c. Streamers. Army units which received credit for campaign participation may display the streamer on the organizational flag. The inscription will be as indicated on the unit's lineage and honors.
4. Background: a. The China Campaign Medal was established by General Order 5 dated January 12, 1905.
b. The dragon, the Imperial emblem when China was an empire, is symbolic of that country. The color yellow was restricted for use only by the Manchu rulers of China during the Ts'ing dynasty (1644-1911). The color blue is emblematic of the east and of the dragon. The eagle standing on the group of trophies signifies the United States Army.
c. There are three streamers displayed on the Army flag to represent the China Relief Expedition. The inscriptions are:
Tientsin 1900
Yang-Tsun 1900
Peking 1900
|
|
David
Wed February 12, 2003 9:40pm
|
Vietnam Service Medal wit
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
1. Description: On a bronze medal, 1 ? inches in diameter, an oriental dragon behind a grove of bamboo trees above the inscription "REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM SERVICE." On the reverse, a crossbow surmounted a by a torch above the arched inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA".
2. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/8 inch Primitive Green 67188; 5/16 inch Air Force Yellow 67103; 1/16 inch Old Glory Red 67156; 5/32 inch Air Force Yellow; center 1/16 inch Old Glory Red; 5/32 inch Air Force Yellow; 1/16 inch Old Glory Red; 5/16 inch Air Force Yellow; and 1/8 inch Primitive Green.
3. Criteria: a. Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Vietnam and contiguous waters or airspace thereover, after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, or the airspace thereover, during the same period and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam are also eligible for this award. To be eligible for award of the medal, individual must- -
(1) Be attached to or regularly serve for one or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations; or
(2) Be attached to or regularly serve for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; or
(3) Actually participate as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights into airspace above Vietnam and contiguous waters directly supporting military operations; or
(4) Serve on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in Vietnam or contiguous areas, except that the time limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.
b. Individuals qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965 shall remain qualified for the medal. Upon request, the individual may be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. In such instances, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal will be deleted from the list of authorized medals in the individual?s personnel records. No person shall be entitled to both awards for Vietnam Service.
4. Components: The following are authorized components and related items:
a. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/230. NSN 8455-00-926-1664 for set which includes a regular size medal and ribbon bar.
b. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3943/230. Available commercially.
c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/151. NSN 8455-00-926-1530.
d. Lapel Button (metal replica of ribbon bar): MIL-L-11484/69. Available commercially.
e. Streamer: MIL-S-14650. Manual requisition in accordance with Chapter 9, Army Regulation (AR) 840-10.
5. Background:
a. On 21 August 1964, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (DCSPER) requested that The Institute of Heraldry provide proposed designs for the possible adoption of a Vietnam Service Medal. Proposed designs were submitted to DCSPER on 29 September 1964. The Vietnam Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11231, dated 8 July 1965. The design approved by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 12 July 1965, and the policy for award was promulgated by DOD Directive 1348.15, dated 1 October 1965.
b. The design, created by Miss Mercedes Lee, includes bamboo trees which are adapted from the flag of the President of Vietnam and the half-concealed dragon represents the subversive nature of the conflict. The crossbow, on the reverse, is the ancient weapon of Vietnam and the torch of the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of the United States devotion to liberty and freedom. The yellow ribbon with three vertical red stripes suggests the color of the flag of the Republic of Vietnam. The green border on each side alludes to the jungle of that Country.
c. Soldiers receiving the Vietnam Service Medal are authorized to wear a bronze star to indicate each campaign. There are 17 designated campaigns during the period of 15 March 1962 through 28 January 1973. Units which receive campaign credit for any of the campaigns would display a streamer with inscription as shown on the unit's lineage and honors. The designated campaigns are:
Vietnam Advisory 1962-1965
Vietnam Defense 1965
Vietnam Counteroffensive 1965-1966
Vietnam Phase II 1966 - 1967
Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III 1967-1968
Tet Counteroffensive 1968
Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV 1968
Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V 1968
Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI 1968-1969
Tet 69 Counteroffensive 1969
Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969
Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970
Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970
Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII 1970-1971
Consolidation I 1971
Consolidation II 1971-1972
Vietnam Cease-Fire 1972-1973
|
|
David
Tue March 25, 2003 7:48am
|
An MH-53 Sea Dragon helic
An MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter from the 'Vanguards' of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fourteen (HM-14) pulls a Mark-105 magnetic sled sweeping the mouth of the Khawar Abd Allah river separating Iraq and Kuwait. HM-14 has embarked USS Ponce (LPD 15) to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Minesweeping operations are underway to permit the bringing in of humanitarian supplies for the people of Iraq.
|
|
David
Thu March 27, 2003 1:21pm
|
Mine sweep
A U.S. MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter sweeps for mines off the port of Umm Qasr on Tuesday. The first delivery of humanitarian aid through the southern port was delayed Thursday after more mines were found in the waterways leading to the port.
|
|
David
Wed April 2, 2003 10:20am
|
A member of Commander Tas
A member of Commander Task Unit (CTU-55.4.3) directs an MH 53E Sea Dragon helicopter from the ?Vanguards? of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fourteen (HM-14) during take-off at the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq. The MH-53E, derived from the CH-53E Super Stallion, is capable of towing a variety of mine-sweeping countermeasures systems, including the Mk 105 minesweeping sled, the AQS-14 side-scan sonar, and the Mk 103 mechanical minesweeping system. U.S. Navy Sea Dragons and divers from the coalition cleared the Khwar Abd Allah waterway so the Royal Navy's Sir Galahad (L 3005) could deliver the first wave of humanitarian aid in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
|
|
David
Fri April 25, 2003 1:00pm
|
CGC GRESHAM, white dragon
CGC GRESHAM, white dragon, Alameda, California, 1970s
|
|
David
Fri April 25, 2003 1:00pm
|
CGC GRESHAM, gold dragon,
CGC GRESHAM, gold dragon, Alameda, California, 1960s
|
|
exlrrp
Wed May 21, 2003 6:45pm
|
Dragon Mountain
here I am standing at the base of Dragon Mountain again
Outside Camp Enari, Pleiku
|
|
Dragon Lady
Sat April 3, 2004 3:41pm
|
Before the Wedding
These men need to take a lesson from my kid in the middle. He's the only one wearing the sporran properly. It's not a purse!
|
|
Dragon Lady
Sat April 3, 2004 3:43pm
|
The Dragon & The Geor
Instead of a garter, I strapped a dagger to my leg. Boy did the Chief get a surprise that day!
|
|
David
Wed October 6, 2004 11:44pm
|
Resistance Cross
Resistance Cross
When the Netherlands was liberated in May 1945, the Dutch government in London had succeeded in developing a good and balanced system of both military and civilian decorations. Apart from the already existing Military Order of William, new decorations aroused like the Bronze Lion, the Bronze Cross, the Cross of Merit and the Flyers Cross. Deeds of courage could be awarded in a very efficient way. However there was not a good decoration to award people of the resistance organisations. In surrounding countries the government had already succeeded in filling this gap. The Dutch government also tried to achieve this goal. Because of the fact that there could not be found an agreement whether deeds of resistance could be awarded with an existing Military Decoration or there was to be developed a special decoration, time passed on.
Especially within the Dutch Resistance there was a forceful movement against the decoration of resistance deeds. During war, every deed of resistance was thought to be equal to any other. However, other countries did decorate Dutch resistance people. A significant number of Dutch people were awarded decorations like the British King?s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom and the American Medal of Freedom for their resistance work. Strengthened by this the Dutch government pushed on. Apart from that it was a personal wish of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands that resistance work should be decorated.
A special commission was formed to seek the possibilities. This Raad voor Onderscheiding en Eerbetoon ( Council for Decoration and Honour), with Prof. Ir. W. Schemerhorn, dr. L.J.M. Beel, J.M. de Booy, mr. E.N. van Kleffens, Prof. Dr. P. Lieftinck, mr. J. Meynen and General-major mr. H.J. Kruls, first asked the Grote Adviescommissie der Illegaliteit ( Great Committee of the Resistance, GAC) for advise on the matter. It should not be any surprise that this committee advised negative. On the other hand, another organisation of the former resistance, the former members of the Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten (Inland Forces B.S) that was formed at the end of the war by combining the forces of the many weaponed resistance groups in the Netherlands, did announce they were positive about decorating deeds of resistance. Finally the Dutch government took its own decision and on November 28th 1945, the order was given to the Rijksmunt to develop a new medal. Finally the choice was made for the Resistance Cross which was developed by L.O. Wenckenbach.
By Royal Decree of May 3rd 1946 the Resistance Cross was finally instituted. The formal disruption was: ?The Bronze decoration of the Resistance Cross resembled a four armed cross, imbedded on a star of flames and covered with the Royal Crown. On the front one can find St. Joris fighting the dragon. On the arms of the cross are engraved the words ?Trouw tot in den dood?. On the obverse one can find a flaming sword wit two broken chains?, all according to article 4 of the Royal Decree. The ribbon is coloured in Crimson Red with two golden orange lines.
Although presenting the decoration to a living person, a compromise was found with the opposing people of the former Dutch Resistance and the decoration was only given to people that already died. Only once this promise was broken, when on July 19th 1946 a Resistance Cross was awarded by Queen Wilhelmina to Gerard Tieman, living in the Blindeninstituut in Bussum (Home for the Blind).
The first Resistance Crosses were awarded by Royal Decree of May 7th 1946 and were given to the relatives on May 9th of the same year. The group of people that was awarded was very carefully chosen from all the different groups of the Dutch Resistance movement. Very high rules were used to make the decoration one of the highest in ranking in the Dutch system, coming only second after the highest, the Military Order of William. The Resistance Cross was also awarded to foreign people for their part in the Dutch Resistance network. On October 24h 1946 the first ?foreign? decorations were awarded to Belgian Resistance Fighters.
One remarkable Resistance Cross must not be forgotten. To commemorate the millions of Jews that were killed during the Second World War, there was to be build a monument in New York. Mr. E.N. Kleffens, then Dutch Ambassador in the United States was asked to be a member of the Commission of Recommendation for the monument to be called the ?American Memorial to six million martyred Jews and the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Battle?. Kleffens was asked to present a decoration as forms of publicity for the monument. By his doing a Royal Decree no.4 was announced on October 17th 1947, giving a Resistance Cross to the ?Unknown Jewish Soldier of the Warsaw Ghetto who died for the Freedom of all People?. Although the monument never was finished, on the place of the monument in the Riverside Park a memorial stone was erected with the lines: ?This is the site for the American Memorial to the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Battle April-May 1943 and to the six million Jews of Europe martyred in the cause of human liberty?.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:20am
|
George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is awarded for an act of the greatest heroism or the most conspiciuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger. It was intended primarily for civilians but later also in the for military service personnel for actions for which military honours were not granted and awarded for actions not in the face of the enemy. Recipients of the Empire Gallantry Medal and the next of kin of four recipients could exchange their award for the George Cross and in 1971 recipients of the Albert Medal could also exchange their award for the George Cross. A total of four women have been directly awarded the George Cross an by three of them it was made posthumously. Three women received their George Cross for service in the resistance SOE in enemy occupied territory during the Second World War.
The George Cross was created on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. On 9 September 1940 London was bombed by the German Air Force whereby also Buckingham Palace was hit. This experience created a new emotional bond between the Monarch and the British people because the King could understand now what the British people were going through. The planning and the design for the George Cross and George Medal was therefore almost entirely his own work.
The decoration concists of a plain silver cross and in the centre is a circular medallion showing St.George and the dragon and surrounded by the inscription ? For Gallantry ?. The reverse of the award is plain and bears the name of the recipient and the date of the award. The George Cross, which is worn before all other decorations except the Victoria Cross, is suspended from a dark blue ribbon, which is 1.5 inches wide, threaded through a bar adorned with laurel leaves.
One of the four women who has been awarded with the George Cross was Noor Inayat Khan. This Russian woman was dropped above occupied France on 16 June 1943 to help the French resistance with their activities. After approximately three months she was betrayed and captured by the Gestapo. Through the many interrogations she refused to give them any information and was send to a prisonercamp into Germany. There also she refused to give any information and on 12 September 1944 she was send to Dachau concentration camp where she was shot on 13 September 1944.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:21am
|
George Medal
George Medal
The George Medal was established on 24 September 1940 and is awarded only for acts of great bravery and was intended primarily for civilians. Awards to the military were confined to actions for which purely military honours were not normally granted. The George Medal is named after King George VI who recognized that there was a need to reward acts of bravery in the absence of the enemy.
The Royal Warrant authorising the award of the George Medal was published in January 1941, and it is ordained that the award shall be worn by recipients on the left breast, immediately after the King?s Police Medal and Fire Service Medal. By His Majesty?s Command : Winston Churchill.
The George Medal is a circular silver medal (1.42 inches in diameter), and the obverse shows a crowned effigy of the reigning monarch and an legend :
King George VI (facing left)
a. GEORGEIVS VID: G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP: (1940-1949)
b. GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA BRITT: OMN REX FID: + (1949-1952)
Queen Elizabeth II (facing right)
a. ELIZABETH II D: G: BR: OMN: REGINA F: D: (1952-1959)
b. ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F: D: (1959-1964)
The reverse of the award shows St.George on horseback slaying the Dragon with the legend THE GEORGE MEDAL around the top edge of the medal (modelled by George Kruger Gray). The crimson ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, with five equally spaced thin blue stripes, ?borrowed? from the George Cross ribbon.
Names are engraved in Roman capital letters. Service personnel normally have their first name, surname, rank and regiment or corps, while civilians have only the surname and initials. A bar is awarded for a further act of bravery.
|
|
David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:53am
|
War Medal 1939-1945
War Medal 1939-1945
The War Medal 1939-1945 was awarded for all the personnel of the armed forces and merchant marines for serving for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. For members of the Merchant Navy the 28 days had to be served at sea. A few categories of civilians, such as war correspondents, also qualified.
A single oak leaf emblem is worn to signify a ?Mention-in-Despatches? and the silver oak leaf signifying a ?King?s Commendation for Brave Conduct? is worn on the medal. There is no bar or clasps other than these emblems.
The medal is a silver circular medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. The obverse shows the crowned coinage effigy of King George VI, facing left, and the legend GEORGIVS VI D : BR : OMN : REX ET INDIAE IMP :. The reverse of the medal shows a lion standing on the body of a dragon. This dragon is double-headed, one of an eagle and one of a dragon to signify the principal occidental and oriental enemies. At the top are the dates 1939/1945.
The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide and consists of the following vertical coloured stripes : red, dark blue, white, red, (narrow in the centre), white, dark blue and red.
The medal was issued unnamed, except those awarded to personnel of the Canadian Merchant Marine and RCMP, and the Australian and South-African versions, which were named on the rim.
The awards was established on 16 August 1945 and there were 700,000 issued, including 4,450 to the Canadian Merchant Marine.
|
|
David
Tue February 10, 2009 7:53am
|
The Dragon and his Tail
The Dragon and his Tail
|
|
|
The Patriot Files Forums
