IdentifyMedals Logo

Author: Yisela

Creator of IdentifyMedals.com

The Bukochosho Medal

Time Period: WW2

Institution: 7 December 1944
Country: Medals from Japan Japan

The Rikugun Bukōkishō (陸軍武功徽章 “Badge for Military Merit”), commonly called the Bukōshō, was a military decoration of the Empire of Japan established on 7 December 1944 by Imperial edict.

The medal was awarded by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) to living soldiers who had performed with exceptional valor in battle. Airmen, especially fighter pilots defending Japan against enemy bombers, were most likely to win the award. Eighty-nine Bukōshō were awarded during the eight months it was actively awarded.

Emperor Hirohito established the award on 7 December 1944, the third anniversary of the attacks on Hong Kong and Pearl Harbor, which had signaled the start of the broader Pacific War.

The Bukōshō was allowed to be given retroactively to soldiers who had distinguished themselves as far back as 1941 or perhaps 1940. In practice, the award was given disproportionately to fighter pilots flying against the American Boeing B-29 Superfortresses bombing the Japanese homeland.

The Bukochosho Medal Design

The Bukōshō (as it was popularly known) was presented in two classes, called A and B, or First and Second. The Bukōshō was a pin back badge, cast in iron or steel, featuring two shields (in gilt for A-Class, bronzed for B-Class) forming a cross, with a gilt banner at the center bearing the two kanji characters “Bukō” (Military Merit).

The reverse side (again in gilt for A-Class, bronzed for B-Class) bore the six kanji characters in two columns “Rikugun/Bukōchōshō” (Army/Badge for Military Merit). Both classes were the same size: 50 mm (2.0 in) high and 40 mm (1.6 in) wide.

The Cross of St. George (Russia)

The Cross of Saint George is a state decoration of the Russian Federation initially established by Imperial Russia between 1807 and 1913.

The Cross of Saint George (or Георгиевский крест in Russian) is a state decoration of the Russian Federation initially established by Imperial Russia between 1807 and 1913.

The award was intended as a reward for “undaunted courage” by the lower ranks (soldiers, sailors and NCOs) of the military. There was only a single class with no restriction as to the number of awards per person. The first soldier to be awarded the Cross of Saint George was a cavalry non-commissioned officer named Yegor Ivanovich Mitrokhin. He received the award for distinction in the battle against the French at Friedland on 2 June 1807.

Over two million Saint George Crosses were distributed during the Great War and before the abdication of the tsar. They went to soldiers, nurses and members of the Red Cross. An enlisted man or NCO could be awarded the 4th class cross for his first brave act. A second notable act could then bring him the 3rd class cross, etc.

The Cross of Saint George could be awarded to foreigners. For example, the cross was awarded to the surviving Prussian veterans of the Napoleonic wars 1813/1815. 4500 decorations were made, although only 4264 were issued and about 1765 were returned to the Chancellery of Russian Orders after the death of their recipients and melted down.

The Cross of Saint George was reinstated into the Russian awards system in 1992.

The Cross of St. George Design

The modern Cross of Saint George is virtually identical to the imperial variant, a 34mm wide cross pattée worn on the left side of the chest with other medals. The first class and second class were struck in gold, the first class with a bow on the ribbon. The third and fourth classes were struck in silver, with the third class marked by a bow.

The obverse has a central medallion bearing the right-facing image of Saint George on horseback slaying the dragon. The reverse of the central medallion bears the Cyrillic monogram of the Order of Saint George “SG” (Russian: «СГ»). The reverse of the two lateral arms of the cross bears the serial number of the award, the left arm having an embossed letter “N” at its left extremity. The class of the cross is embossed on the reverse of the lower arm, “1-я степ” for the first class, “2-я степ” for the second class, “3-я степ” for the third class and “4-я степ” for the fourth class.

All four crosses hang from the standard Russian pentagonal mount covered with an overlapping 24mm wide silk moiré ribbon of Saint George (black and orange bicolor pattern, with three black and two orange stripes). When the cross is not worn, a ribbon bar is worn on the uniform. The ribbon bar is 8mm high by 24mm wide, it bears a 7mm high golden metallic Roman numeral denoting the class of the award.

The Order of St. George (Russia)

The Order of Saint George is the highest military decoration of the Russian Federation and was originally established 26 November 1769.

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Year of Institution: 26 November 1769
Country: Russia & USSR

The Order of Saint George (or Орден Святого Георгия, Orden Svyatogo Georgiya in Russian) is the highest purely military decoration of the Russian Federation. It was originally established 26 November 1769 as the highest military decoration of the Russian Empire by Empress Catherine the Great.

The current Order of Saint George is awarded to highest and senior military officers for the conduct of military operations to protect the Fatherland from attack by an external enemy which resulted in the complete defeat of the enemy, for the execution of combat and other operations in other states aimed at restoring international peace and security, or for being a model of military science with feats that exemplify military prowess; the Order is also conferred upon officers who were previously awarded state awards of the Russian Federation for distinction in combat.

The order was revived in the Russian Federation on 8 August 2000 by Decree №1463 of the President of Russia. The current award criteria were amended on 7 September 2010 by Presidential Decree 1099.

The Order of St. George Design

The Cross is a white enameled cross pattée with a central medallion bearing the image of Saint George on horseback slaying the dragon. The cross measures 60mm across in the case of the Order first class (50mm for third class and 40mm for the fourth) and is worn on a sash in the colours of Saint George (orange and black).

The Star is a four-pointed silver gilt star with a gold central medallion bearing the cipher of Saint George “SG” topped by a crown and surrounded by a black enamelled band bearing the motto of the order “For Service and Bravery” (“Za Sluzhbu i Khrabrost“). The star is worn on the left breast for both the Order first and second classes.

The ribbon of the Order of Saint George is orange with three black stripes, commonly called “George’s Ribbon”. It symbolizes fire and gunpowder: the Russian “colors of military glory”, and is also thought to be derived from the colors of the original Russian imperial coat of arms (black eagle on a golden background). It was subsequently associated to the colors of the Russian Guard units.

The Most Noble Order of the Garter

The Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348 and regarded as the most prestigious British order of chivalry.

The Order of the Garter (also known as the “Most Noble Order of the Garter”) is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348 and regarded as the most prestigious British order of chivalry (though in precedence inferior to the military Victoria Cross and George Cross) in England and later the United Kingdom. It is dedicated to the image and arms of Saint George, England’s patron saint.

Membership of the Order is limited to the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 living members, or Companions. The order also includes supernumerary knights and ladies (for example, members of the British royal family and foreign monarchs). New appointments to the Order of the Garter are often announced on St George’s Day (23 April), as Saint George is the order’s patron saint.

In addition to the 25 Knights, there have been occasionally extra non-Christian Knights, such as the Sultans of Turkey or the Emperor of Japan. Emperor Hirohito was actually awarded the Garter twice: in 1922 and again in 1971 (he had forfeited the first as a result of Japan entering the Second World War in 1941). Soon after the founding of the Order, women were appointed “Ladies of the Garter“, but were not made companions. King Henry VII discontinued the practice in 1488; his mother, Margaret Beaufort, was the last Lady of the Garter before Queen Alexandra. Ladies (other than royalty) are now eligible for the Order.

All official insignia is returnable to the Central Chancery of Knighthood on the death of the holder.

Edward, The Black Prince
Edward, The Black Prince.
King Edward III
King Edward III.
The 11th Earl of Wawick
The 11th Earl of Wawick.

The Order of the Garter Design

The Star

The star was originally embroidered in a metal thread and was introduced in the 17th century by King Charles I (before 1858, knights often purchased metal stars). It depicts the heraldic shield of St. George’s Cross, encircled by the Garter and the motto “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE” (or “Evil be to who evil thinks“), which is itself encircled by an eight-point silver badge. Each point is depicted as a cluster of rays, with the four points of the cardinal directions longer than the intermediate ones. Since the Order of the Garter is the senior order of the United Kingdom, a member will wear their star above the others (up to three) that he or she holds.

The Ribbon

The ribbon measures 100 millimeters and is plain dark blue. It’s not worn in undress uniform.

The Emblem

The order’s emblem is a dark blue velvet garter with the motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (or “Shame on him who thinks ill of it” in Middle French) in embroidered lettering and details, or with gold lettering, buckle and tab. Members of the order wear it on ceremonial occasions. The collar chain is made of gold and consists of alternate buckled garters, each encircling a red enamelled rose. The collar badge is an enamelled three-dimensional figure of St. George the Martyr on horseback slaying a dragon.

If you want to learn more about the Order of the Garter’s mantle, hat, collar, Great George and garter, please check our sibling site Medieval Britain. 

More About The Order

Right Now on eBay 
Clicking a link to eBay may result in a referral commission being paid if a purchase is made.
Loading...

The Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle

The Order of St. Andrew is the highest order of the Russian Federation. It was established in 1698 and the motto is “For Faith and Loyalty”.

The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called (or Орден Святого апостола Андрея Первозванного in Russian) is the highest order of the Russian Federation. Established as the first and highest order of chivalry of the Russian Empire in 1698, it was abolished under the USSR before being re-established as the top Russian order in 1998.

The Order was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honor of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia. It was bestowed in a single class and was only awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military merit.  Saint Andrew’s Cathedral in Saint Petersburg was the chapter church of this order of chivalry.

A Brief History of the Russian Order of Saint Andrew

During Peter the Great’s travels in the West as part of the Great Embassy, Peter the Great observed the practice of awarding honors, a departure from the traditional Russian method of rewarding service with money or estates. For instance, he witnessed first hand the awards ceremonies for England’s Order of the Garter and Austria’s Order of the Golden Fleece and noticed the loyalty and pride of the awardees. It also saved the state land and money.

The first recipient of the Order of St. Andrew was Count Fyodor Golovin, a boyar (member of the highest rank of feudal nobility) and the first Chancellor of the Russian Empire.

Until the Russian Revolution in 1917, slightly over a thousand individuals were bestowed with this honor. These included:

  • Sir John Acton, 6th Baronet: A prominent British naval officer and Prime Minister of Naples.
  • Prince Adalbert of Prussia (1811–1873): A notable member of the Prussian royal family.
  • Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden: King of Sweden from 1751 until his death in 1771.
  • Grand Duke Adolphe of Luxembourg: The first Grand Duke of Luxembourg from the House of Nassau-Weilburg.
  • Prince Albert of Prussia: A general in the Prussian army and regent of the Duchy of Brunswick.
  • Alexander I of Russia: Emperor of Russia from 1801 to 1825, known for his role in defeating Napoleon.
  • Alexander II of Russia: Emperor of Russia from 1855 to 1881, famed for his emancipation of the serfs.
  • Otto von Bismarck: The first Chancellor of the German Empire, recognized for unifying Germany.
Emperor Peter the Great.
Portrait of Peter I of Russia (1672-1725). Arkhangelskoye Palace collection.
Count Fedor Golovin, portrait from the 18th century.
Count Fedor Golovin, portrait from the 18th century.
Portrait of Elizaveta Petrovna (Elizabeth I of RUssia) between 1701 and 1800. Hermitage Museum.
Portrait of Elizaveta Petrovna (Elizabeth I of RUssia) between 1701 and 1800. Hermitage Museum.

The Order of Saint Andrew During the Revolution

During the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Order of St. Andrew, along with other imperial orders, was officially abolished by the Bolshevik government. The new Soviet regime sought to eliminate all vestiges of the Russian imperial system, which included the prestigious chivalric orders that had been symbols of the tsarist state and its aristocracy.

Existing recipients of the Order of St. Andrew were stripped of their titles and privileges. The revolutionary government viewed these honors as incompatible with the new socialist ideology that aimed to dismantle class distinctions and aristocratic privileges.

Despite its official abolition in Russia, the Russian Imperial House in exile continued to recognize the Order of St. Andrew. The heads of the House of Romanov, living in exile, maintained the tradition of awarding the order to individuals who demonstrated exceptional service to the Russian community and the broader international community.

Reinstatement and Modern Status

After the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation reinstated the Order of St. Andrew as the highest state decoration. Today, the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called is conferred upon distinguished statesmen, public figures, and notable individuals from various fields such as science, culture, the arts, and industry, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the prosperity, prestige, and honor of Russia.

Additionally, the Order may be bestowed upon foreign heads of state for their significant service to the Russian Federation.

Modern Awardees: Boris Petrovsky
Modern Recipients: General surgeon, health minister of the Soviet Union Boris Petrovsky.
Modern Recipients: Opera singer Irina Arkhipova.

The Order of Saint Andrew Medal Design

The insignia of the order consisted of a badge and star.

The badge is an enameled crowned black double-headed eagle bearing a blue St. Andrew’s Cross (saltire) with St. Andrew crucified upon it; on the arms of the saltire were the Latin letters ‘SAPR’ (‘St. Andrew, Patron of Russia’). It was worn on a pale blue sash over the right shoulder, or on special occasions on an elaborate ‘collar’ (chain).

The star is an eight-pointed silver star bearing a miniature of the badge on a golden background at the center, surrounded by the motto “For Faith and Loyalty” (or За веру и верность, Za Veru i Vernost in Russian) on a blue ring. It was worn on the left chest.

The insignia of the order could be awarded “with diamonds” as a special distinction. 

Order Of Saint Andrew The Apostle.
Order Of Saint Andrew The Apostle. Star, badge, and collar with badge.

Find an Order of Saint Andrew

Right Now on eBay 
Clicking a link to eBay may result in a referral commission being paid if a purchase is made.
Loading...

The Order of the Red Banner

The Order of the Red Banner was the first Soviet military decoration, established in 1918 by decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee.

The Order of the Red Banner (or Орден Крaсного Знамени in Russian) was the first Soviet military decoration. It was established on 16 September 1918, during the Russian Civil War by decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee.

The Order was awarded to individuals as well as to military units, cities, ships, political and social organizations, and state enterprises. Recipients were recognized for extraordinary heroism, dedication, and courage demonstrated on the battlefield. In later years, it was also awarded on the twentieth and again on the thirtieth anniversary of military, police, or state security service without requiring participation in combat (the “Long Service Award” variant).

The Order of the Red Banner Medal Design

The Order consisted of a white-enameled badge, which had a golden hammer and sickle badge surrounded by two golden panicles of wheat on a Red Star, backed by crossed hammer, plough, torch, and a red flag bearing the motto Proletarians (Workers) of the World, Unite!.

The medal was surrounded by two golden panicles of wheat; at the bottom were the letters “SSSR” (СССР). Additional awards of the Order bore a white enameled shield with a silver sequence number at the bottom of the obverse. A recipient of multiple Orders of the Red Banner would wear a basic badge of the Order with a numeral corresponding to the sequence of the award on a cartouche over the wheat at the bottom of the badge.

The early variants of the Order were screw back badges to allow wear on clothing. Later variants (from 1943) hung from a standard Soviet pentagonal mount with a ring through the suspension loop. The mount was covered with an overlapping 24mm wide red silk moiré ribbon with 1.5mm wide white edge stripes and a 7mm wide white central stripe.

The Order of the Red Banner was worn on the left side of the chest and when in the presence of other Orders and medals of the USSR, was placed immediately after the Order of the October Revolution. If worn in the presence of Orders or medals of the Russian Federation, the latter have precedence.

Find This Medal Online

Right Now on eBay 
Clicking a link to eBay may result in a referral commission being paid if a purchase is made.
Loading...

The Medal for the War of 1941–1945

  • Time Period: WW2
  • Year of Institution: 2 March 1946
  • Country: Greece

The Medal for the War of 1941–1945 was established on 2 March 1946 and awarded to members of the Royal Hellenic Armed Forces who had seen action. It was created as a star for land operations.

The medal was bestowed upon Royal Hellenic Armed Forces personnel for operational services to the Army in North Africa, the South Aegean Sea and Italy. Several thousands of Army personnel, the majority of the Fleet and the remaining airplanes escaped to Turkey or were evacuated to Egypt after the capitulation of the Continental Greece and the battle of Crete respectively. At the British controlled Middle East the Hellenic Armed Forces were reorganized and reequipped (with British assistance) while more personnel either from Greece or from the existing Greek population in Egypt joined their ranks.

Soon the Hellenic Armed Forces of the Middle East were able to form 2 Brigades, a Special Forces Unit (Sacred Band or Sacred Company in Greek) attached to 1st SAS. The Hellenic Royal Navy with 44 ships and over 8,500 men, became the second-largest Allied Navy in the Mediterranean after the RN, accounting for 80% of all non-RN operations.

The Hellenic Royal Air Force formed 3 Squadrons (the 335 and 336 Fighter Squadrons – equipped with Hurricanes and later with Spitfires – and the 13th Naval Cooperation Squadron which operated with Blenheims and later with Batimores).

The Hellenic Armed Forces participated to the Battle of El Alamein, to the Operations for Liberation of several Greek islands of the Aegean Sea after the capitulation of Italy, to the operation in Sicily and South Italy while several ships of the Hellenic Royal Navy supported the landing in Normany.

The Medal for the War of 1941–1945 Design

The ribbon shows what appears to be water / storage damage.

The Medal for the War of 1940–1941

  • Time Period: WW2
  • Year of Institution: 19 August 1947
  • Country: Greece

The Medal for the War of 1940–1941 was instituted by Royal Decree of August 19th 1947 to recognize the actions of the Royal Greek Armed Forces who took part in the war efforts from the outbreak of the war in Greece in 1940 until the fall of Crete in 1941 (it covers the campaigns in Epirus, Albania, Macedonia, Thrace and Crete.)

The medal was also awarded to foreign forces that fought on Greek soil.

The Medal for the War of 1940–1941 Design

The medal can either be of bronze or of gilt. The riband is of a dark blue color with a pale blue center stripe and two narrow white edge stripes. Some variations have a more grey stripe in the center. Every recipient receives a certificate with the recipients name.

The obverse bears the head of King George II, surrounded with a laurel wreath. The wreath is at the top joined by a crown. In 1983 the obverse was changed because of the changing of Greece from a kingdom to a republic in 1974. From 1983 the obverse shows a headless winged female figure above the inscription “1940-41”. The figure is surrounded by a laurel wreath, at the top joined by the Greek word for “Greece”.

The reverse has original a Greek inscription meaning “1940-41 Eprius, Albania, Macedonia, Thrace, Crete” for Army medals and “1940-41 Aegean, Ionian, Myrtoum, Adriatic” for Navy medals. From 1983 the “1940-41” was removed but the rest remained.

The Medal for the National Resistance (Greece)

  • Time Period: WW2
  • Year of Institution: 22 December 1948
  • Country: Greece

The Medal for the National Resistance was instituted on 22 December 1948 to commemorate the Nation’s Resistance during the Second World War.

It was awarded in one class and bestowed upon those who had actively served in, or had been of assistance to Greek National Resistance Organizations in their struggle against occupying Italo-German forces between 1941 and 1945. 

Those who served with the British Special Operations Executive Military Mission to Greece are eligible for the award. As are escaped prisoners of war who joined Greek Resistance organizations.

The Medal for the National Resistance Design

The Medal is a bronze medallion, the obverse of which depicts an armed Greek Resistance Fighter planting the National Flag on a rock. The reverse bears the inscription ‘National Resistance, 1941 – 1945’ in Greek.

The medal is pendent on a riband of dark blue with a wide grey center stripe. Some examples include a small bronze bar bearing the year of service on the riband.

The Maritime War Cross (Greece)

  • Time Period: WW2
  • Year of Institution: 1943
  • Country: Greece

The Maritime War Cross was established in 1943 by the Greek Government in Exile in 3 classes: bronze, silver and gold. It was awarded to the Officers and Sailors of the Hellenic Merchant Navy with at least 6 months of service aboard a merchant vessel.

It was also awarded to Officers of the Hellenic Royal Navy who commanded convoy escorts and also to Officers and Sailors of the Hellenic Royal Navy who served aboard merchant ships during the War.

The Maritime War Cross Design

The medal shows the motto: “Μέγα το της Θαλλάσης Κράτος” (in liberal translation: Powerful is the State that Controls the Sea). The phrase had been used for the first time by Thucydides and it is the motto of the Hellenic Navy.

Some versions of the medal were British made by Spink and Son Ltd, London (this is marked on the reverse of the crown).