Romanian Oakleaves Question

[Dave Danner]

These came with a group of Romanian decorations. Does anyone have any idea what they are for? I don't know of a device like these for any Romanian decoration, so I was thinking some part of a piece of rank insignia, but I don't know anything about Romanian uniforms.





Dave

[Dave Danner]

Several months ago, I bought a lot of Romanian medals on German eBay. I didn't actually get them until I went to Germany and picked them up from a friend, as the seller didn't ship to the US.

The lot consisted of several orders and some other stuff not quite visible in the photos, but by the orders alone the group had seemed worth the price. When I got the lot, I was pleasantly surprised. There were six orders, all different and all cased:

- Order of the Star, Type I, Knight
- Order of the Star, Type I, Knight with Swords on Ring
- Order of the Star, Type II, Knight with Swords
- Order of the Star, Type II, Officer with Swords
- Order of the Crown, Type II, Knight
- Order of the Crown, Type II, Knight with Swords

There were also:

- Loyal Service Cross, Bronze, with Swords
- Loyal Service Medal, Bronze, with Swords
- Carol Centennial Medal

In addition to the medals, there were a few miscellaneous items: two editions of German-language newspapers from 1943 for the German community in Romania, 4 Romanian Army postcards, a piece of rank insignia, and two pins and four oakleaves which I had no clue about.

It turned out that the pins were badges for disabled veterans, and were considered decorations (see my other thread).

Now, it turns out that almost as soon as I asked, I have an answer for the oakleaves question. From Mark Piersall's website:

"On June 26, 1943, King Michael instituted the addition of an oak leaf as a ribbon device which was awarded to solders who were wounded in action on three or more occasions. The oak leaf consisted of an oxidized metal stylized oak leaf 28 mm. by 10 mm."

So the extra thrown-in stuff in this lot has turned out to be rarer perhaps than the orders and medals themselves. I am very happy with this purchase.

Dave