08-01-2009, 05:10 AM
Henry Sakaida Wrote:According to Paul McDaniel, the Type 2 HSU Medal was implement on 19 June 1943. I assume that all HSUs awarded after that date had the Type 2 suspensions.
Yet, I have a photograph of Heroine VERA KASHCHEYEVA, wearing a Type 1 and she received the HSU on 28 February 1944! Her serial number was #947.
I also have a photograph of twice HSU, pilot SULTAN AMET KHAN, taken after he received his 2nd HSU on 29 June 1945, where he is wearing his Type 1 #1136 with the Type 1 suspension awarded on 24 August 1943. On his uniform, he is wearing both his Type 1 and Type 2 in June 1945.
My question to the HSU experts out there is: Was the regulation to convert to a Type 2 suspension voluntary? Or was the edict loosely enforced?
Thank you!
Henry, I don't have concrete examples, but simply administratively if pieces were manufactured they wouldn't have been destroyed or remade, but awarded as time passed.
Additionally, when it comes to suspension conversion - people are often unaware or apathetic to "regulation" wear. Even active duty servicemembers often consciensciouly bend or ignore regulations due to a rebellious streak, particular affectation to an older style badge, etc. If active duty military do it, imagine the "care factor" of a discharged civilian...
