Gen. Rudolfs Bangerskis - Awards

[Michael Miller]

Seeking identification of all or at least some of the awards worn by General Rudolfs Bangerskis in this photo (posted earlier by Valdis Kursietis).

Many thanks in advance.

~ Mike Miller

[Marcus Wendel]

This is definately not my area, but two that I think I know:

Medals on his breast:
1. War Order of Lacplesis, 3rd Class
3. Cross of Merit of the Aizsargi Organization

/Marcus

[Michael Miller]

Many thanks, Chief. Every bit helps.

Best,
~ Mike

[Tapani K.]

The ones hanging in his collar look like (from the top)

1) Latvian Order of Three Stars
2) Estonian Cross of the Order of the White Star (Valge rist, Valgetähe teenetemärk)
3) Estonian Cross of Liberty (Vabadusrist)

The breast star is, I think the Estonian Eagle Cross (Kotkaristi). The lowest one hanging from his collar might also one of the Kotkaristi orders.

I'll see if I can find any more info once I get back home from work.

regards,
Tapani K.

[Michael Miller]

Thank you, Tapani!

Best,
~ Mike

[Kloster]

Sorry for breaking in, having a day off and wanted to "try something ells"

sofar this is what http://www.altavista.com gave me


http://www.riik.ee/teenetemargid/kotkaristi_en.html

CLASSES OF THE ORDER OF THE CROSS OF THE EAGLE

1. The Order of the Cross of the Eagle comprises eight classes:
1) five basic classes - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th class;
2) three medal classes - crosses in gold, silver and iron.
2. The crosses of all the classes of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle have the same design.

3. The colour tone of the orange moiré ribands belonging to the decorations of all the classes of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle is determined according to the international PANTONE colour-table as 137 MC.

sounds like, we need a color picture

I'll be back if i find more.

Best regards

Kloster

[Requin Marteau]

Bangerskis received a French Legion d'honneur (commandeur),
and a Russians, Lituanians, Estonians and Polish awards.


Thierry

[Tapani K.]

Yep, looks like I was wrong and Requin is right about that one.

regards,
tapani K.

[Tapani K.]

I am not 100% sure but I think that the Vabadusrist is III/1, which means it was awarded for civilian merit in time of war (III) and the grade is 1 (the highest of three grades). Six Freedom crosses III/1 were awarded to Latvians. Does somebody know if Bangerskis was awarded one?

regards,
Tapani K.

[Tapani K.]

One more: the fifth medal in his breast is Latvian Liberation War 10th Anniversary Medal.

And btw, in the picture General Bangerskis is shown as a Colonel of the Latvian army.

regards,
Tapani K.

[Tapani K.]

Sorry for breaking in, having a day off and wanted to "try something ells"

sofar this is what http://www.altavista.com gave me


http://www.riik.ee/teenetemargid/kotkaristi_en.html

CLASSES OF THE ORDER OF THE CROSS OF THE EAGLE

1. The Order of the Cross of the Eagle comprises eight classes:
1) five basic classes - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th class;
2) three medal classes - crosses in gold, silver and iron.
2. The crosses of all the classes of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle have the same design.

3. The colour tone of the orange moiré ribands belonging to the decorations of all the classes of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle is determined according to the international PANTONE colour-table as 137 MC.

sounds like, we need a color picture

I'll be back if i find more.

Best regards

Kloster

Kotkaristi II klassi teenetemärg (see the link in the quote above) looks like a fair bet to me; both the cross and the breast star are worn in the picture by Colonel Bangerskis. I have seen pictures of Estonian officers wearing the decoration in a similar manner, although they usually wear the Cross a bit higher. But then again, the Kotkarist is lower in prestige than the other decorations Bangerskis is here wearing and the positioning reflects the order of prestige of these decorations.

regards,
Tapani K.

[Tapani K.]

One more: the medal number two on his breast looks like Lithuanian 4th Class Order of the Cross of Vytis. Take a look at this site: http://www.president.lt/ordinai/vkordinas_e.phtml

regards,
Tapani K.

[AJK]

Hi Tapani,

A small correction: the photo shows Bangerskis in the uniform of a General. You will note that his collar rank tabs have three "pips", which designate the rank of General. Colonels only had two "pips".

AJK

[Tapani K.]

Yes, you are right. I made the mistake of only checking the present-day Latvian ranks and assuming that the present-day rank insignia would be the same as those of the iter-war period

Anyway: one more medal: I think that the medal number four in his breast might be the Estonian Commemorative Medal of Estonia's War of Independence. I am not sure about this since the ribbon looks a bit strange.

Tapani K.

[Requin Marteau]

Déco Estonienne :