West Point RK Research

[dougas]

Incredible awards but rather sad

Great work guys. Stunning awards!

I agree with all written so far, just wanted to ask you all to remember in between the ooh and aaahs where the diamonds, gold and silver to make these awards came from. Like all third reich memoribilia it gives an indication of just how powerful the imagery is, it is easy to forget what it all actually stood for.

[Peter Wiking]

Great work guys. Stunning awards!

I agree with all written so far, just wanted to ask you all to remember in between the ooh and aaahs where the diamonds, gold and silver to make these awards came from. Like all third reich memoribilia it gives an indication of just how powerful the imagery is, it is easy to forget what it all actually stood for.

The iron cross and many other awards issued during the Third Reich is not a "nazi"/Third Reich invention. I understand your thoughts though.

Cheers.
Peter

[tgn]

The Madame Antonescu of Romania award was still in the possession of the family, at least up to a few years ago. They were discretely offering it for sale for big $$$. Don't know if it was sold, but I did see some nice photos of it...Tom

[Valter Gorenc]

Dietrich,

The Star to the Grand Cross, the 3 DK with diamonds, and the Social Welfare with diamonds in jewelled case were all stolen from the veteran who brought them back from the war. In the early 1950's the treasury department agents came to the door of the veteran and threatened him and his family with imprisonment if he did not surrender the medals to them for the West Point Museum. I know the man personally as do several other prominent collectors. I believe he describes the museum as the West Point Thieves Museum, rightly so!

I have heard that many of the 'donations' were made under the pressure of the same heavy hand.

Bob Hritz

Ouch, I thought this happened only in communist countries Yeah, when the state has an interest for something, democracy ends.

[Santi]

amazing work !!!

[Tim Calvert]

Thanks for a great thread and the time and effort of research.
A couple of shots of West Point that I took from the air while flying my uncle's sea-plane last summer.

[Tim Calvert]

closer...if you fall off that parking lot you won't be doing very well.