When I went back to see Harry, I saw that he was in discussion with one of the Soviet medals dealers. After the dealer left, I offered to buy the medal but with a caveat.
“These dealers have been all over me, trying to haggle me down, but I won’t budge,” Harry

Minatogawa sword now proudly part of author Henry Sakaida's collection of Japanese Samurai swords.

complained. They’re nice guys, but they’re all business and want it at a steal so they could resell it. I’d rather sell it to a collector than to a dealer. Put some money down and I will hold it for you. When you send me the balance, I will FedEx it to you. If you want it, you will just have to trust me on this.”
I counted out a few “C notes” and Harry gave me a signed note promising to send the medal upon receiving the balance within 2 weeks. I told Harry that I needed to save $100 for incidentals and he took pity on me. We shook hands and sealed the deal.
About half an hour later, I came across a table with a Japanese Navy sword displayed on it. I had been chasing this particular type of sword for 5 years. The asking price? Don’t ask! There was a very cute young lady manning the table and she knew nothing about swords. My buddy and I began joking with her.
“My husband is not here at the moment, but you should talk to him” she explained. “I really don’t know anything about these things.” And I responded, “Great! That’s why I’d much rather deal with you. Let’s leave your husband out of this!”
While I was busy inspecting the sword, the lady exclaimed “Ahh, here comes my husband now!” and gestured towards the approaching figure. I quickly looked up. “Henry!!” he shouted. “Paul!!” I responded. It was Paul McDaniel.
For those of you who do not know him, Paul is the co-author of the book The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals with Paul J. Schmitt. This is the “Bible” for collectors in this hobby. McDaniel also runs a Soviet orders and medals authentication service. Some collectors won’t buy a high end medal without his certificate of authenticity due to so many fakes floating around.
After getting over the shock of running into Paul and meeting his wife, I told him that I had to buy his sword, but only had $100 at the moment. “There’s a bunch of collectors coming around trying to low ball me,” Paul explained. “There’s a dealer from Texas who keeps coming around; here’s his card. But I’d prefer to sell you the sword. Your word is good enough and I’ll be happy to knock off some figures for you.”
I was shocked to see the name on the business card. Mike Q! I knew the gentleman, a renowned dealer and collector of high end Japanese antiques and swords from San Antonio, Texas! What a small world. He’s a great guy and I had sold him a Samurai sword about 7 years ago.
About an hour later, I ran into Mike and couldn’t resist teasing him.
“Hey, I heard some SOB just sniped your Minatogawa sword from Paul McDaniel” I said. “Yeah, missed it by 5 minutes!” Mike replied good naturedly. “I couldn’t wear him down and I was finally prepared to pay his asking price. I have three such swords, but this one was the best.”
“Well if it is any consolation, I’m the SOB that sniped it!” I gloated. Mike smiled and congratulated me. And then without missing a beat, he quipped, “Wanna sell it?”
It has been over a year since the show and I still have not been able to solve the mystery of Nikolenko’s medal. I asked Paul McDaniel for his comments and this is what he wrote:
“First off, the times don’t work out with regards to ‘Stanley’s’ story. If this happened in August of 1942, there is a problem. The US didn’t land in North Africa until 1943 and not to Italy until late 43/early 44, and then of course D-Day in June 1944. Where did the 1.5-2 years go? I think the medal was probably taken off his dead body by the command and sent to the family on a new suspension. You don’t know how long the medal stayed with the unit. Perhaps all the way until the end of the war? It’s a mystery. I have seen orders and medals given to the family during that period of time when the recipient was killed in battle. Also, since he was a hero, maybe they made an exception?”
What is my take on the mystery? I think the medal was recovered after the battle and forwarded to Nikolenko’s family. He had ten brothers and sisters and I think that perhaps one of them, or a relative or friend, took the medal and immigrated to America.
In the end, everything turned out well. I got a very rare and coveted sword from Paul McDaniel. He had purchased the sword from an estate sale for a few hundred dollars and made an obscene and well deserved profit. Harry sold his Type 1 HSU at his asking price. My buddy Dave was happy beyond belief. Now, good ole Dave owes me BIG time for a change. But the best experience of all? I had the great pleasure of having my first White Castle Hamburger.
Ahhhh…it was priceless!