Pacific area from 10 May to 3 August 1942, he was awarded the Letter of Commendation with Ribbon. For exceptionally meritorious conduct while in command of a special Navy mission in the Pacific from 27 August to 5 De- cember 1943, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. For meritorious conduct as confidential advisor to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet, and the Chief of Naval Operations, which involved special missions to the fight- ing fronts of Europe and in the Pacific during the 1942-45 years, he re- ceived a gold star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit.

After commanding the 1946-47 Navy antarctic expedition, which con- sisted of a force of 13 ships and about 4000 men, he was again relieved of all active duty on 10 September 1947. Returning to active duty in August of 1949, he served on several refugee committees and in 1955, was designated officer in charge of the total U.S. antarctic program. As such, he headed phase one of Operation Deepfreeze which was responsible for the antarctic phase of the U.S. participation in the International Geophysical Year. Reaching the Antarctic in mid-December 1955, and de- parting the first part of February 1956, two bases were established for the U.S. participation in the IGY, and much new territory was explored by air. On 17 February 1957, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom for espe- cially meritorious service as director of the U.S. antarctic program.

For his service which encompassed lifesaving, first flights over both poles, five historic expeditions to the antarctic, and duties of great responsibility to the Government, the following are all of the U.S. decorations and service medals awarded him:

Medal of Honor Navy Cross Distinguished Service Medal

with gold star Distinguished Flying Cross Legion of Merit with Gold Star Commendation Ribbon Silver Lifesaving Medal Medal of Freedom Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal

U.S. Antarctic Expedition Medal

Mexican Service Medal WW-I Victory Medal with Aviation

Clasp and Silver Citation Star (the latter representing the let- ter of commendation)

American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Camapign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern

Campaign Medal WW-II Victory Medal The Sharpshooter’s Medal Navy Expert Rifleman Medal Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

While he is not listed as having receiVed the Antarctica Service Medal, it is assumed he is entitled to a posthumous award thereof.

He also received the following decorations from foreign countries:

I) Legion of Honor , rank of Officer, from the Government of France, 18 July 1928, advanced to rank of Commander in this order, February 1930;

2) Commander of the Military Order of Avis, from the Government of Portugal, 13 September 1921;

3) Illustrious Citizen and Diploma, from the Government of Chile, 28 May 1941;

4) Vega Medal of the Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography, 24 April 1948.

Being a member of more than 200 societies, he received many other awards from civil organizations.

Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd died on 11 March 1957.

MALAYSIA MEDAL - The medal commemorating the institution of the Federa- tion of Malaysia in 1963 is new in issue by the Federation Government. No photograph is yet to hand but the following details are reported.

The medal is awarded in gold to Rulers and Cabinet Ministers, in sil- ver to commissioned officers and in bronze to other ranks. The ribbon is 38mm wide, dark blue, with red, white and yellow edge stripes, red outer.

It is understood to have a very wide circulation and the only quali- fication seems to have been, for the Armed Forces, service on 16 Septem- ber 1963. E.H. O’Toole

13

THE PRUSSIAN REGAL CROWN ORDER

by Dan W. Ragsdale

Part II

The initial portion of the article appeared in the July issue last, pp. 5-13. Because of the length of the entire article and due to the un- availability of certain photos at that time, it was decided to break the original article into two portions.

The following is a guide to the plates which follow, enlarging upon the briefer captions which appear under each plate.

I. The Prussian Regal Crown Order, Badge, Star and Sash, of the I Class.

2. The Prussian Crov,~n Order showing:

A. Order Badge II Class with swords.

B. Order Badge II Class with a small crown and darker blue cravat as issued from 1861 to about 1865.

BI .Order Star II Class with small crown.

C. Order Badge II Class on a cravat as awarded - design and color after 1865.

CI .Order Star II after 1865.

This class might also be seen with 3 gold oakleaves with a small Malta Order Cross superimposed on them or -

- with the 50 in enamel on the oakleaves or - - with swords at the ring (see Photo #4A) which may or may not have swords through the cross arms.

3. A. Close up view of 2 showing the differences noted in the center crown design as well as star ray design differences.

4. The Prussian Crown Order III Class showing:

A. Order Cross with swords and swords at the ring with a 3-striped ribbon - indicative that the holder possessed the Order IV Class with swords.

B. Order Cross with swords on a Prussian combattant war ribbon. This cross might also be seen with a non-oombattant Prussian war ribbon.

C. Order Cross on an Austrian folded ribbon.

D. Order Cross with the Red Cross on the upper arm and on the German War Memoria (Memory) ribbon.

This cross did not have to have the Red Cross decoration to be worn on this ribbon, Also this cross may be seen on the House of Hohenzolleren ribbon and -

- with a Malta Cross at the ring or with the commemorative anniversary buttons 50, 60 or 65 - also at the ring.

5. The Prussian Crown Order IV Class and Crown Medal and "Prinzen Size" Cross.

A. With swords - never at the ring in this class.

B. With Red Cross (see notes on Photo h).

C. With Malta Cross on ring - might possibly be located as the Red Cross - on the arm.

D. With a "60" commemorative button on the ring.

E. With the 1861-65 small crown and on an Austrian type folded ribbon.

F. With a "50" button.

G. Crown Order Medal, founded by Wilhelm II in 1888.

H. Crown Order Cross IV class in about 2/3rds size. Very popular with the "Big Chests" (of many medals) but not in the classifica- tion of miniature size.

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