how I found out it was a Medal from Turkey (Ottoman Empire)
(War Medal image here is from Hendrik Meersscheart collection)
This lens is about an item I inherited from my father many years ago. It is a "star brooch" and it had been worn by my mother and myself for years thinking it was just a odd looking brooch. One day I was at the Library researching my husbands Vietnam Medals and I came across a book in the reference section with all kinds of War Medals, as I was flipping through the pages my eye caught a star! I turned the page back and discovered the very "star brooch" that I had, it actually was a Turkish medal given during the Ottoman Empire during WW 1. This Star Medal was awarded to my father during his war time during WW 1 fighting for Germany in Turkey. My husband said, most likely there is a ribbon that goes with it... Having my dad's WW1 and WW 2 ribbons, I checked the ribbon colors, the red and white with a moon crest insignia pin on top. There it was, the ribbon with the crest! I Googled this medal and found the explanation of it, this was confirmed with the Ahnnentafel (German Genealogy chart) I had from my father. On the chart it gave confirmation of the date and names of Medals awarded. I found this to be very interesting and wanted to share this on a lens.
Gallipoli Star - German
WWII Ribbon with Crest for the Gallipoli Star
dad's actual star
Ottoman Empire Medal
the "Gallipoli Star"
The Turkish War Medal of 1915. This medal is referred to by a number of informal names. Commonwealth nations often call it the "Gallipoli Star" even though it was not a campaign medal specifically for that battle. Another informal name is the "Iron Crescent," as it functioned similarly to Prussia's Iron Cross. The medal was given from 1915 until the end of the war, for acts of bravery or merit in action. Recipients of the Imtiaz and Liyakat medal were automatically eligible for this medal. The medal is a star-shaped pin back badge of white metal (not iron), with a raised crescent around the bottom center, and the "Toughra" or monogram of the Sultan in the center. The flat surfaces of the badge were finished in a thin opaque red enamel. The War Medal was worn pinned to the tunic in a manner similar to the Iron Cross, and not suspended from a ribbon. There was a ribbon (red with white side stripes) which was worn in the second button hole (like the Iron Cross 2nd Class) when the star itself was not worn.
Because the medal was frequently awarded to German and Austrian personnel who served with the Turkish forces during WW1, many unofficial variants were made in Germany and elsewhere, of varying quality, but usually of higher quality than the originals. This difference in quality had led some early authors to speculate that there were two classes of the War Medal -- poor quality copies for enlisted men, nicer copies for officers. In fact there was only one class.
dad (far left) on movie set with Pola Negri a silent film star...photo copyright(C)
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A FAMILY CREST STORY
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of Johann Meyer
My great, great grandfather Johann Meyer and his philanthropy...
Beginners book on collecting Military Medals
go to the link below and check it out
Link for Collecting Military Medals
A Beginner's Guide by Colin Narbeth
- Collecting Military Medals:
- Buy this book James Clarke & Co.Amazon.com
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ideadesigns wrote...
Very nice lens, I'm always interested in history! 5 stars for the original pictures.
Posted February 18, 2009
sittonbull wrote...
Glad you did this lens. I have a history of my father's WW11 experience complete with medals and letters from fellow soldiers who tracked him down later in life to thank him for saving their lives. I have thought of sharing it on a lens and you have, unknowingly, given me the incentive to do so. He died in '91, but I appreciate what he did in WW11 and am also very proud of him as a great dad! Thank you for sharing this about your dad. 5*
Posted January 26, 2009
JaguarJulie wrote...
Ah, this is quite an interesting lens! Did you say how many of these were produced; how many are in existence; what they are worth? I think your lens is the first to talk about war medals.
Posted January 13, 2009
GeoDitton wrote...
An interesting lens on an interesting topic. May we remember the bravery of the men & women from all countries and all times who fight and risk their life. Great lens 5* I'll set up a related lens link on my Victoria Cross lens.
Posted December 05, 2008
papawu wrote...
I am simply amazed that anyone would even mention Gallipoli. It is so unknown and I believe only one movie was ever made about the battle at Gallipoli, starring a very young Mel Gibson. I think it was an absolute crime how the British used the Aussies in that battle. It wasn't even a battle... It was an absolute massacre with wave after wave of brave Australian infantrymen being mowed down with Gatling guns before they could even make an advance. It was tragic and anyone who survived should be revered with more than just a medal. This was a wonderful lens.
Posted November 02, 2008
Military War Medals
collect interesting memrobilia
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New YouTube vids
YouTube vids
Ottoman Empire History
Gallipoli Star and other Medals
More Medals for your consideration
a great interest for collecting
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byOttoman Empire Medals
including the Gallipoli Star
- Ottoman Orders
- OTTOMAN ORDERS
- Turkish (Ottoman Empire) Badges & Medals of WW1
- The Graveyards of Gallipoli; A Digger History Associate Site A Tribute to the Men of all the Nations that took part in the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915
- Turkish Medals
- Medals of Turkey
1998 Micheal Shackelford.
Text by Tim Tezer, edited by M.S.
Images from Tim Tezer collection.The
Turkish War Medal of 1915. This medal is
referred to by a number of informal names. Commonwealth nations often call it the "Gallipoli Star" - UN1
- Medals
- Gallipoli Star (Ottoman Empire) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Gallipoli Star (Ottoman Empire) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gallipoli Star badge.
The Ottoman War Medal (Turkish: Harp Madalyas), better known as the Gallipoli Star, or the Iron Crescent (from German Eiserner
Medals on eBay
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Soaring over Old Glory
My Patriotic designs on CafePress
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For many years I wore a brooch not knowing it was a WW I Medal. It was awarded to my father when he was in the Cavelry fighting in Turkey for the Germ...
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