Ribbon Bars Give Up Wearer's Career: Another Triumph For Ricky Reebon Barz!

[Rick Research]

I've had this pair of three from (formerly ) Stogie-Rick for ages. Sweltering in heat and liquid humidity today, I finally Found The Guy.

I had been rummaging in my stuff, motivated by recent questions here about multiple states' groups and how recipients got them.

Because there had to have been a REASON.

Note that after the combatant Prussian EK2 and Württemberg Friedrich Order (Knight 1st Class, as it turns out) with Xs, is the ribbon used by Hessen-Darmstadt for both its "General Decoration" Medal AND their Military Medical Cross-frontline ribbon.

[Rick Research]

And the reverses. These two ribbon bars are in almost mint, immaculate condition. The vivid blue of the Hessian ribbons is quite unusual, since that usually fades away almost to white most of the time.

These date 1915-25, from creation of this style ribbon bar, to end of the original wearer's career.

Yes, I know, you're all pressing your foreheads to your monitors, eagerly anticipating the exciting and exotic career details, aren't you?

[Rick Research]

Württemberg and Hesse is a VERY strange combination. There were several army officers and one naval officer who had these among other awards received on staff positions. But there was only ONE officer who had just these three ribboned awards, and nothing else. He also held an Iron Cross 1st Class:

Dr. (DVM) Karl Depperich, born in Heilbronn 16 February 1877.

Entered the Württemberg army 1 October 1901 as a One Year Volunteer and Volunteer Veterinarian Candidate (Aspirant). From his age on entry, he had finished his undergraduate college studies already.

Unterveterinär 1 April 1902
Oberveterinär 16 May 1903
Stabsveterinär 4 August 1910
Oberstabsveterinär 1 December 1920 #3
char. Generaloberveterinär (= Oberstleutnant) on retirement sometime between 1924-26.

He was a Battalion Veterinarian with Wtbg Dragoon Regiment 26 until 1913, then transferred to Wtbg Field Artillery Regiment 13 in 1914 still as a Battalion Veterinarian.

In 1923 and 1924 he was Regimental Veterinarian of Reichsheer Infantry Regiment (Wtbg.) 13.



That last ribbon? It was the "Bravery Medal" version of the Hessian General Decoration.




Oh.


And HOW did a Württemberg military veterinarian end up with that unique combination of frontline awards?



I still have absolutely NO idea.

[Brian S]

Geez, nice work AGAIN. Don't the ribbons work well together? I don't know how you do it?

[Tom Y]

I still have absolutely NO idea.

Why not, oh great one? Your clay feet are showing