Commemorative Medal "Victory Of Playa Girón".

[Nota Bene]

Awarded by the Consejo de Estado, República de Cuba

[Taz]

Juri Gagarin and Nelson Mandela both recived the Order of this name from Fidel Castro.

Here is a little information on the area this award was named after.

Playa Girón is in the south-central region of Cuba, east of the Bay of Pigs. In April 1961, this area was the scene of a great air, sea and land baffle following the landing of armed forces made up by mercenaries of Cuban origin, recruited and trained by the United States.

The battle started in the early hours of April 17,1961, when the invaders landed on Playa Giron and nearby Playa Larga, and paratroops were dropped further inland. To destroy the retaliation capacity of the Cuban forces, the US had planned to bomb, two days in advance, the combat planes based in three military airfields. This mission was only partly successful and, at the time of the landing, the revolutionary air force attacked the troop ships inflicting serious damage on the mercenaries and sowing disarray among their ranks. On land, bloody cornbats were waged with the participation of tanks and heavy artillery. The militia and the army pushed the invaders toward the coast. A little after five o'clock on April 19, the aggressors surrendered.


Eddie

[Rick Research]

Gagarin and Mandela must have received the Order of this name...

I think the medal must have been for the forces actually opposing the landings at what is known from the other side as

the Bay of Pigs.

[Taz]

Gagarin and Mandela must have received the Order of this name...

I think the medal must have been for the forces actually opposing the landings at what is known from the other side as

the Bay of Pigs.

Hi Rick,

Welcome to the forum, yes thats all correct did you read the post above yours?:)

Best regards Eddie

[Rick Research]

Heck, I'm old enough-- I remember it happening!

[Taz]

The Medalla Conmemorativa "Victoria de Playa Girón" will be awarded to Cuban citizens, who composing combat units participated outstandingly in combat actions which took place in the Playa Girón battle against the mercenary invasion in 1961 and had kept an exemplary and matching attitude to revolutionary principles.
Also, it can be awarded to Cuban and foreign citizens who with their active participation contributed directly to the victory success and had kept an exemplary and matching attitude to revolutionary principles.

[Blanco]

Medalla Conmemorativa "Victoria de Playa Girón"

[pride]

Great to see the original photo!

This is mine with ribbon: