How about some help with a WW2 Medal
 

I was making a house call, something that is fast becoming a lost tradition in the selling business, when I noticed a few very interesting pictures on the wall. The pictures were of my customers late husband standing in front of a B19. She explained he was the pilot and at the time was flying the "hump" and she further explained what that meant. She went on to say he had also flown in Europe and had a pistol in the house as a souvenir of those missions. To make a long story short, I bought the Luger and she asked me to try to ID a medal. Here are pictures of both. Any help in sheading any light on the medal will be appreciated. BTW, the Luger is BYF 41 date with a matching mag.
Thanks,
Mike
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/medal3.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/medal4.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/medal5.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/medal6.jpg

Can't help you with the medal, but the Luger is a nice find and buy.

Also Mike, the Banzai gun forum could help, here is their website;

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/default.asp?CAT_ID=6

Here is our best attempt to shed light on this medal.

Obverse of medal shows the face of Jiang Kai Shek flanked by Republic of China and Chinese Nationalist Party (Guo Min Dang) flags.

Reverse says:
'Revolutionary New Military Campaign'
'Made by Guan Shin LLC'

No date but it could be a medal received by the Vet for service in China against Japanese occupation. It could also have been given to him by a Chinese soldier who may have received it for service under General Jiang in the campaign against Communist insurgency or earlier against the warlords that threatened the early Republic. Someone with better knowledge of that era may be able to help. If I can get this to my father-in-law in Taiwan I could find out more. He served as a Brigadier General in the Republic of China Army under Jiang.

Russell

I have a friend who can read Chinese, I'll see if he can translate it for me.

Thanks guys, I do appreciate all the input. Especially looking forward to the Chinese translation.

Mike

You are welcome Mike,

That is a translation. My wife did it.

Russell

It's very possible that the Chinese presented it to him. I received a medal from the Chinese Military for my service with the Taiwan Defense Command.

Hairy,

Would like to know more about your service in Taiwan: when, where, what branch? Anything you care to share?

Russell

Stayed in Taiwan from early 1963 to late 1966. Couldn't afford living among the Americans, so I found a place in a Chinese community.

We loved it--my son learned Chinese from playing with the other children (no Americans). He ended up majoring in East Asian Studies and speaks, reads, and writes Mandarin.

Was first assigned to the J-3 of the Taiwan Defense Command for about 3 months and then moved to the Flag office. VADM Gentner, USN was the ranking officer on the Island and his assistant was USAF Brig Gen Frederick Sutterlin. He was followed by BG Watkins (claim to fame was he got his aircraft up against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor--didn't shoot any down tho--and as he said, "I didn't get shot down either."

Wife and I visited Quemoy, one of the off-shore islands, on a day the Chinese Communists weren't firing their propaganda shells. In typical Chinese fashion, the Communists would advertise their firing schedule so no one would be hurt. LOL

We also had the pleasure of meeting Chiang Kai-Shek when he gave an audience. I didn't particularly want to go but my bride insisted, saying we wouldn't have another opportunity to see such a world figure again. She was right.

All in all, it was a great tour; met some wonderful people and developed an appreciation and admiration for the Chinese.

That's great Hairy,

Definitely a better duty station than Viet Nam. Had to wait several years after discharge to make my way there. Finally got back to Asia in 1978 starting in Japan. Spent about four of the following five-and-a-half years living in Taipei and Panchiao. It was a great place to earn a little money for travel around East and South-east Asia by tutoring English.
The service medal you received from the Republic of China shows the ongoing appreciation they had for our continued support of their desire for freedom. I was there in late 1978 when that support was yanked. The US had announced recognithion of the Beijing regime as the ligitimate government of China. The tension was undeniable. Many of my students and freinds were hurt and angry at the time but a few weeks later life as an American in Taiwan was back to normal. I hope we never lose our bond with the Chinese people.

Russell

Well, Taiwan was a heck of a lot better for me than was Saigon during Tet. I ended up in 'Nam from October 67 to Oct 68.

Nothing like the May attacks on Saigon to remind one--if needed-- that the entire country was one big battle area.