Bulgarian grouping

[Ralph Pickard]

Hello all - a small grouping of medals and award documents that were presented to a Bulgarian officer during the Cold War.

For Military Merit - 1956

Honorable Service Ministry for Internal Affairs 10 years, 3rd class - 1961

Jubilee, 20th Anniversary of the Ministry for Internal Affairs - 1964

Jubilee, 25th Anniversary of People's Rule - 1969

Jubilee, 25th Anniversary of the Ministry for Internal Affairs - 1969

Soviet Order of the Red Star - 1969

Order of the 9th September 1944, 2nd class - 1977

Order of the Red Banner 1981

[CtahhR]

The nice late Red Banner is a rare find, They almost stopped being awarded after they stopped being awarded for long service. Do you have Ukaz info on the two later Bulgarian Orders?

[Ralph Pickard]

CtahhR - thanks for your latest post and your informative comments. My question from your last post, is the Red Banner rare from the standpoint that it was awarded late during his career or that the medal was awarded in 1981?

[CtahhR]

The rarity is an award from after the institution of long service awards on 18th July 1959. Medals "For Military Merit" from after this date are also obscure.

Is there any mention of the unit on any of the jubilee documents? Even the unit number could be quite illuminating. Also what is the recipient's name? Going by past coincidence here it wouldn't be surprising if I have awards either from the same ukazes or to a relation. The number of the Red Star would also be helpful.

[Ralph Pickard]

CtahhR - Thanks for the background information. :thumbsup As for the name and other information, right now I am keeping it private, because I am working something that is taking sometime to go through.

[CtahhR]

If it wasn't MVR I would have said it'd be Air Force because all three of the Red Banners I have that don't fit in to the "Long Service" box are to Air Force officers.

I don't think we are looking at unit 21045 here more likely 35220.

[Ralph Pickard]

CtahhR - FYI for your records, there is no numbering on the medal or award document. And the medal came in the case to the left of both the medal and document.

[CtahhR]

I am referring to the Ukaz. In the Order booklets on the right hand pages you have Ukaz number on the left hand column and date to the right hand side. These can now be researched.

Jubilee Medals usually have the name of the unit issuing them on them, As an abbreviation or as a coded number. These can now also be deciphered.

Red Banners were only serial numbered for the first c16,000 and not only will 99%+ of these be for Long Service but most clerks didn't record serial numbers in booklets. They didn't have the same bureaucratic streak as the Soviets.

Lots of information available just from reading the award documents if you know what to focus on.