West Point RK Research

[Howard Kelley]

Question about Star.....

Dietrich,

I was curious about the breast star.

Is the EK magnetic?

Also could you tell whom made the EK on the Star.

Or will you be saving this information for the book?

Thanks for your Service to this Hobby.

Best,
Howard

[Dietrich Maerz]

The EK is magnetic. Still looking for the maker but getting close.

[junior]

Nice work guys!
KR,
Junior

[Raymond]

I wanted to respond eairlier but my server was down.Guys thanks for showing these beautiful awards,something we can only dream of owning for our collections.
I'd also like to thank Mike and Lisa for their hospitality.After a long day at work cooking for the troops and cadets Mike took us to see his collection.John has seen it many times but this was my first,hopefully of many more to come,and was even more than expected.Then after all this he went back to work for the "Mid-Rats" meal.He is truely dedicated to the troops and his fellow collector.
Thanks again Mike,
Ray

[Mike P.]

thanks for that Ray ...you guys are welcome anytime ...as long as your "friend" there doesn't start with any of his "BELLY" Jokes

[John T]

thanks for that Ray ...you guys are welcome anytime ...as long as your "friend" there doesn't start with any of his "BELLY" Jokes

...Mike...I hate to see such a young fellow carry around the infamous "spare tire" but ya know I can understand, I mean after-all it is BBQ season

[Sal Williams]

Who was the recipient of the Social welfare? Who's baton is that?
Thanks, Sal

[John T]

Who was the recipient of the Social welfare? Who's baton is that?
Thanks, Sal

The baton was Hermann's...I forget who got the Social Welfare...

[Bob Hritz]

No one received the Social Welfare with diamonds in jewelled case, that is residing in the West Point Museum. It is one of the medals stolen from the soldier that brought it back from Schloss Kleissheim. Read my previous posts about the 3 German Crosses with Diamonds and the Cased Star to the Grand Cross, which were brought back, by the same soldier and were stolen by the Treasury Department because West Point Museum wanted them.

One award of the Social Welfare with diamonds, in jewelled case, was made. That was to Madame Antonescu of Romania. The location of that award is unknown, but probably still in the family's possession, in Romania.

The baton was Hermann Goering's and is the baton of the Reichsmarshall, not Field Marshall.

Bob Hritz

[Dietrich Maerz]

One award of the Social Welfare with diamonds, in jewelled case, was made. That was to Madame Antonescu of Romania. The location of that award is unknown, but probably still in the family's possession, in Romania.

Bob,

I didn't know that either but further checking (Nimmergut) and learning from a "Welfare"-expert on the subject revealed (to me at least) that more than one or two were made. Other recipients (which is wrong since this was more intended as a piece of jewellery for Ladies - not an order per se) are:

Madame Antonescu of Romania
Grand Duchess Sophie Charlotte of Luxemburg
Princess Olga of Jugoslawia
Crown Princess Elena of Italien

So, under the assumption the one in Westpoint is a 'spare', a total of 5 are or were in existence.

Dietrich

[Bob Hritz]

Dietrich,

That is great news that there were several awards of the Social Welfare with Diamonds in jewelled case.

I do wonder if they are still in possession of the original owners.

Bob Hritz

[Dietrich Maerz]

I have no idea at all!

Dietrich

[WARLORD]

There are others, the list given is the group as yet knwn. I would humbly sugest that possibly another 10 might have been made.

[Marc Garlasco]

It is a beautiful award. The pin is an elegant puzzle to get open, and her case is heavy enough to pull a muscle...
Marc

[Frank K]

Wow, super reading.

Although it makes my puny collection looking even more humble, it's still a very interesting story

Thanks guys!