05-16-2011, 09:34 PM
Maybe the DPRK criteria for the badge is different to the Soviet one, Maybe to have the badge you had to survive (or at least be serving during) the action for which the "Guards" honour was awarded. That would certainly explain why they are so seldom seen. Not too many DPRK soldiers survived the advance to Pusan, Retreat over the Yalu and then another 60 years of life. The Type 1 Guards Badge I have is a battlefield relic, when I got it I had to use a knife to scrape the dirt and all the rest off of it, then I spent the best part of a week chemically (and lovingly) cleaning it - now it looks fabulous with a little bit of old (probably shrapnel) damage to the enamel. I'll be hopefully borrowing a camera next week so I'll be able to illustrate a bit better.
The correct Korean for the award is "근위휘장" (Guards Badge) and the banner is inscribed "근위대" (Guards). I may have to ask the embassy where the best place to find a picture of a "guard" would be. Time will tell.
Here is my Type 1 Guards Badge. It has the white stripe of the flag and differently shaped shield.
The correct Korean for the award is "근위휘장" (Guards Badge) and the banner is inscribed "근위대" (Guards). I may have to ask the embassy where the best place to find a picture of a "guard" would be. Time will tell.
Here is my Type 1 Guards Badge. It has the white stripe of the flag and differently shaped shield.
