Appropriate Medals for Display

[Snobok]

A few months ago, I acquired a complete M69 navy captains uniform (hat, jacket, pants). I am planning to display it on a mannequin that I have sitting around. I would like to dress the uniform up with some medals, but I am not sure of which would be appropriate for such a uniform.

I currently have an OPW 1c (1985) for the uniform. Frankly, I guess I'm wanting the uniform to have the appearance of belonging to someone who had been in service for a long while and had performed some noteworthy service, but nothing so amazing so as to warrant a Order of Lenin or some other award that is astronomically expensive (I'm a college student, so money is tight).

Thanks,
Scott

[Lapa]

Snobok,

M69 captain rank will have a hard time qualifying for too much awards. IMHO, at best, an ORS, a Military Merit medal, and a few jubilee/long service ones.

Marc

[Snobok]

I suppose I should have mentioned it being captain first rank. I think you are right though that I should not be looking for a ton of medals. Here is a shopping list of sorts for medals that I'm thinking would be appropriate so far. If anyone has any suggestions for it, please tell.

ORS
Military Merit
20 & 30yr Victory GPW
40, 50, & 60yrs Armed Forces
10, 15, & 20yrs Irreproachable Service
Lenin's 100th Anniversary
Naval Academy Graduation badge

Even if I don't use the OPW I have, It will still look nice on display elsewhere. Also, I keep thinking a medal for combat service was also awarded for 10yrs of service.

[matteti]

Snobok,
Marc knows much more than me, but I thought I should mention that if uniform is a parade uniform, it is appropriate to have medals on it, but if it's a service uniform, it should have ribbon bar instead. I think the regulations was specific on this.

[Snobok]

Thanks for bringing that up. The uniform is a black parade uniform.

[Tretov]

Originally Posted by Snobok

ORS
Military Merit
20 & 30yr Victory GPW
40, 50, & 60yrs Armed Forces
10, 15, & 20yrs Irreproachable Service
Lenin's 100th Anniversary
Naval Academy Graduation badge

If he was no war participant, he cannot have the 30 years of Victory award (these were given to warriors, labor front personell and some foreign persons only).

Another key issue is the rank - "captain" was not a navy rank; instead there was captain-lieutnant (equal to ground forces captain, 4 small stars) and captain Ist, IInd and IIIrd rank (colonel through major ranks).

[Snobok]

Thanks for pointing that out Tretov about the GPW Victory medals. I should have been clearer about the rank. The rank is for a Captain 1st (colonel).

[Tretov]

Here are some photos that might serve as inspiration

[Snobok]

It looks like I will need to expand my shopping list. Thanks Tretov.

EDIT: At least I'm on the way. I just picked up the irreproachable service medals. The most expensive single element for me will be the ORS, I think. They are going for about $80 on E anymore; I wish I had bought one earlier. Prices in general have gone up significantly.

EDIT 2: Tretov, I noticed that in those pictures, some of the medals that the fellows were wearing were modern Russian medals. Are some of the modern Russian awards often given out to former members of the Soviet armed forces?

[Snobok]

Hey I thought of one other thing. I am planning to place these medals on a 5-medal suspension. How does one transfer the individual medals to the suspension without damaging the medals or ribbons? From looking at some of the medals, it looks like there is a simple trick to the process.

I'll keep the individual suspensions just in case I need them again or sell the medals in the future.