The Manchukuo Border Incident War Medal

• Time Period: Interwar
• Institution: 1940
• Country: Japan

The Manchukuo Border Incident War Medal was instituted in 1940 and commemorates the Nomonhan Incident, a clash with Russia that happened in Manchuria.

The Battles of Khalkhyn Gol were fought among the Soviet Union, Mongolia, Japan and Manchukuo in 1939. The conflict was named after the river Khalkhyn Gol, which passes through the battlefield. In Japan, this battle is known as the Nomonhan Incident – named after a nearby village on the border between Mongolia and Manchuria.

The battles resulted in the defeat of the Japanese Sixth Army, which incurred 18,000 casualties.

The Manchukuo Border Incident War Medal Design

The medal is struck in bronze and measures 30 mm wide. The bar reads ‘War Medal.’

The obverse shows Pu-Yi’s orchid crest above, with a dove with outstretched wings in the center. Below is part of
the globe showing Asia and behind are clouds and rays. The reverse bears the inscription ‘Border Incident.’

The medal was awarded in a red vase with golden lettering.