Gold Star Order.

[Taz]

The Gold Star Order, established on June 6th, 1947 remains the highest honour that the SRV can present to units, organizations and individuals who have made great contributions to the country. Also awarded to foreigners for merit to the SRV. Regulations state that there is to be a large ceremony for the presenting of these awards.
Until 1974 only two had been awarded, to Ho Chi Minh and Vice President Ton Duc Thang. Ho Chi Minh refused to accept it until final victory was achieved. There have only been 16 awardings of this rare Order.
The Order is a raised, five-pointed, solid gold star, measuring approximately 1 1/2" from point to point. The back is decorated with a raised wreath of two laurel branches. The medal is neither numbered nor named as might be typical in other countries of the world for such a high honour. The pin device is a simple bent wire.
These Orders have been faked, most without the reverse laurel decorations.

Known and unconfirmed recipients:

Ho Chi Minh
Ton Duc Thang (August, 1958)
Vo Nguyen Giap
Vietnam People’s Army 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2004
Leonid Brezhnev (June, 1980)
Aleksei Kosugin (June, 1980)
Waleri Fjodorowitsch Bykowski (Unconfirmed)
Tran BA Thanh (Unconfirmed)

Pic CO Ed Emering