01-03-2007, 11:37 PM
ibaya Wrote:We have to keep in mind that one medal is for 20 years of service, the other is in commemoration of the 20th Jubilee of the Red Army.
I think the 20 Years of the Red Army medal was awarded to commanders and holders of high decorations, such as the Order of the Red Banner, correct?
Indeed, there is a big difference. On the main site, it is said like this:
"Established 24 January 1938. This was the first Soviet medal given as a national anniversary award. It was awarded to commanders of the Workers and Peasants Red Army and Navy for 20 years of continuous service, and to those who were decorated with the Order of the Red Banner during the Civil War. This award is particularly rare because upon the death of the rewarded, the medal was to be returned to the proper authorities. Initially, the design of this medal included a soldier passively standing in front of a tank, warship and plane. This was deemed inappropriate because it failed to show the readiness of the Red Army to repel aggressors. The final design shows a serviceman firing a rifle. Approximately 37,500 were issued."
So, if this fellow was awarded this medal, he either got the ORB during the civil war OR had been in service for 20 years in 1938. So, actually; whichever option we choose in this case he would not be awarded any of the Irreproachable service awards if he had the 20 years RKKA award, since he by 1957, when the service awards were introduced, he would have been in service for 40 years already and probably earned awards far far higher in rank than the Irreproachable service medal 1st class.
Still - I was not there, so there might of course be exceptions.
