"Guess this Medal"

[MH184]

Mike you read my mind, it appears all armies far and wide adopt this culture

[John F.]

Okay...round 13 of Guess this Medal.

This next piece that is up is not a medal but a badge. This badge is a two piece constructing with a pin and catch type fastener. It is made from a heavy alloy and weighs 46.1 gms, and measures in at 6 x 7 cm (2.4" x 2.8"). This badge bears the relief of a former Russian Officer.

[Mike G.]

Hi Marcus,

Let's face it - great military minds think alike (especially if they are enlisted).

Woops, John is awake and ready to go.

Got this out of the way just in the nick of time. That was a close run thing. Sorry about that John. Didn't see you up on the Forum when I checked in.

Excellant Post. So, here we go.

[NavyFCO]

John-

It's the Order of Tudor Vladimrescu.

How 'bout that?

--Dave

[Mike G.]

Hey John,

I'm gonna presume Dave got this one. Its hard to put something past him, particularly if it is Russian. If he did, can you tell us a little bit about it? Time frame? Who Tudor was? What the badge commemorates?

[NavyFCO]

Aha-

But it's not Russian. It's Romanian!

How do I know? One of the Soviet generals whose award group I own was awarded one.

--Dave

[John F.]

Dave you are correct sir!

This is a Romanian Order of Tudor Vladimrescu - 3rd Class. The T.V. Order was created in 1966 and was a high level award that came in 5 classes. It was awarded to persons who who participated in the revolutionary fight for "democracy freedom" and socialism instauration.

Tudor Vlasimirescu (1780-1821),was born in a family of free peasants, in the Gorjean Village of Vladimir . He was an Officer (1st Lt) in Russian Army, and fought in the Russian-Turkish war from 1806-1812. Tudorwas influenced by the autonomist movement in Serbia and initially allied himself with the Greek Revolutionary Society the Philikí Etaireía or "Friendly Brotherhood". This organization sought the overthrow of Turkish rule throughout the Balkans. With the Etairist rising in Moldavia under Prince Alexander Ypsilantis, he disavowed the Greek leadership and lead the revolution in the Romanian principalities. He organized a popular uprising in the city of Walachia to evict the predominantly Greek administration of the Turkish government, which paved the way for the native Romanian aristocracy to take control of the provisional government in Bucharest. When Prince Ypsilantis suspected Vladimirescu of conspiring with the Turks, he ordered the arrest of the Romanian leader, who was court-martialed and executed.

At the end of World War II, The unpopular Communist Party in Romania, which had fewer than 1,000 members but the backing of the occupying Red Army were able to seize control and destroy every other political party; crush democracy and the rule of law; abolish the monarchy; suppress the political, financial, cultural, and military elites; and take over industry and agriculture as collective property. This Order embodies the revolutionary actions of Tudor Vladimrescu back in 1812

John

[MH184]

WOW that was quick Dave !

Ok next up ! Make it a hard one again Dave (the wife is away so I can be up as long as like tonight HEHEHEHE)

[Mike G.]

So like a lot of the Heros at that time, he came to fame postumously, and much later. So the 1821 on the medal marks his departure from this world. Very good John. Thanks for the followup on this very interesting award/decoration. John, you mentioned there were 5 in all. Where does this particular one fit in?

[John F.]

3rd class.

[Mike G.]

Thanks John.

Okay Dave. Marcus says "Bring it On". And we already know you can do just that. So, I'm digging in for what is bound to be a very long night.

[NavyFCO]

Okay, I was hoping for a chance to redeem myself from my previous ones that took a while to get! This should be a pretty basic one... I'll give you a hint... It's a veteran's badge! But to who or what? And for what?

--Dave

[MH184]

LSK, this has nothing I suppose with the East German Aiforce....maybe not...by the centre of the medal depiction i'm way off aren't I.

[NavyFCO]

i'm way off aren't I.

Yeah, I'd say so...

--Dave

[MH184]

Thank's Dave...uummm don't you worry old Marcus is on the case (Mike pm me if you have any clues...us other ranks have to stick together and conspire )