Medals of Afghanistan
International Electronic
Phaleristic Encyclopedia
by Edward
S. Haynes
(© 1999, 2002)
The phaleristic history of Afghanistan – like the remainder of its history – is complex and at places vague. What is presented here is almost inexpressively preliminary, but – as Afghan awards almost totally unknown – “something is better than nothing”. Details and corrections are welcomed.
This page represents a considerable amount of effort and original research work and users are requested (under terms of both copyright and normal academic usage) to make reference to this page (i.e. link it as a whole) rather that extract and “borrow” information. Thank you.
Durani Kingdom (to 1973):
1. Order of the Durrani Empire – For the most part, this order seems to have been awarded to British officials and military officers who acted to establish and sustain the power of Shah Suraj al-Mulk. Established: 1839 by Shah Suraj al-Mulk. Obverse: A gold four-armed, eight-pointed cross, with each point tipped with a gold ball. Between the arms of the cross and passing through the center are gold grossed swords. The center medallion in green-enameled and bears the gold inscription “Duran-i-Dauran” or “Pearl of the Age”. Surrounding this central medallion is a blue-enameled circlet, heavily studded with pearls. Ribbon: Equal stripes of red and green.
o Grand Cross - sash badge and star - awarded to English officers five times
o Knight Commander - neck badge and star - awarded to English officers nineteen times - an alternative star design has been seen
o Commander - breast badge - awarded to English officers thirty-six times
2. Order of the Sun – Awarded for the highest services to the state. Established: 1920 by King Amanullah. The order presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: A gold Afghan crown (looks more like a square hat than a European crown) with a small silver star in silver, all surrounded by a silver laurel wreath. Reverse: The same as the obverse. Ribbon: Equal stripes of blue, red, and blue. ALSO described as equal stripes of black, red, white?
o first class – chain, sash, sash badge, and breast star
o second class – neck badge and breast star
o third class – neck badge
o fourth class
o fifth class
o sixth class
o medal of the order:
§ silver
§ bronze
3. Order of the Leader – Awarded for exceptional military merit. Established: 1922 by King Muhammad Zahir Shah. The order presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: A gold cannon surrounded by a gold wreath. Reverse: The same as the obverse. Ribbon: Equal stripes of green, purple, green.
o first variety (1922-23) – single class
o second variety (1923-73):
§ first class – sash, sash badge, and 78-mm breast star
§ second class – neck badge and breast star
§ third class – neck badge
§ fourth class
§ fifth class
4. Order of Independence – Awarded for general services to the state. Established: 1911 by King Muhammad Nadir Shah. The order presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: A silver crescent, above this two crossed gold swords and, above this, a plumed gold Afghan crown between the blades of the swords. Reverse: The same as the obverse. Ribbon: Equal stripes of purple, gray, purple, gray, purple.
o first class – sash, sash badge, and breast star
o second class – neck badge and 85-mm breast star
o third class – neck badge and breast star
o fourth class – neck badge
o fifth class – breast badge
o sixth class – breast badge
o seventh class – breast badge
5. Huramat-i-Afghania – Also known as the “Amir’s Medal”. In 1907 it was described as: “Rarely seen in Afghanistan.” Established: Before 1907 (it existed when the Amir visited India in that year). Ribbon: Seven stripes: green, narrow black, yellow, (narrow?) pink, yellow, narrow black, green. There were at least two totally different ribbons used for this award. Though sometimes (incorrectly) worn on plain green ribbons (the British used this as a default when they didn’t know what was correct).
o first class
o second class
o third class – gold
6. Izzat-i-Afghania – Established: Before 1886 (awarded by Amir Abdur Rahman to British Afghan Boundary Commission in that year). Ribbon: Unknown. Though it was sometimes (incorrectly) worn on plain green ribbons (the British used this as a default when they didn’t know what was correct).
7. Sadaygal-i-Afghania – Established: Before 1907 (it existed when the Amir visited India in that year). Ribbon: Unknown. Though it was sometimes (incorrectly) worn on plain green ribbons (the British used this as a default when they didn’t know what was correct).
8. Order of Sirdar-i-Ala – Established: The order presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Ribbon: Differs by class, see below.
o first class – sash, sash badge, and breast star. Ribbon: three equal stripes, crimson with a broad pale blue-gray center stripe.
o second class – sash, sash badge, and breast star. Ribbon: five equal stripes, three crimson, two pale blue-gray.
9. Order of Nishan Iftikar – Established: The order presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Ribbon: Three equal stripes, crimson with a green center stripe.
o first class – sash, sash badge, and breast star
o ???
10. Order of Nishan Istour – Established: The order presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Ribbon: Crimson.
o first class – sash, sash badge, and breast star
o ???
11. The Order of the Afghan Throne – Uncertain identification. Obverse: An 81-mm silver eight-pointed star with a copper center, and the whole is suspended from a scrollwork broach pin. Ribbon: Equal stripes (from left to right) black, red and gold, and edged in a very narrow stripe of gold.
o first class
o
second class
o
third class
o
fourth class
12. Order of Fidelity – Established: The order presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973.
o first class
o
second class
o
third class – breast badge, silver with gold center
o
fourth class – breast badge
13. National Service Order – Established: The order presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973.
o first class
o second class
o ???
14. Order of Faithfulness – Awarded to high-ranking military officers, to government ministers, and for scientific and cultural merit. Established: The order presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: Silver, 80 mm. The Afghan coat of arms, above a crescent. Above, there is a wreath.
o first class
o second class
o third class
15. Unknown – Obverse: A 54-mm five pointed star, Afghan arms in the circular center. Points linked by a wreath. Reverse: Central number of the class of award. Ribbon: Green with edge stripes, reading inward, of black and red.
o first class – gold star, number “1” on reverse
o second class – silver star with gold center, number “2” on reverse
o third class – silver star, number “3” on reverse.
16. Military Service Star – Established: The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: 62 mm, a seven-pointed silver star with the Amir’s crest and crossed swords in the center. Reverse: Pin for wearing. Ribbon: Half orange, half black. Are there multiple classes?
o first class
o ???
17. Officer's Military Bravery Star – Established: 1919? The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: 32 mm seven-pointed silver star with balls on the points and rays between the points. In the center, the Afghan arms surrounded by a legend. On the uppermost point is a number indicating the class. Reverse: Bar for suspension. Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
o first class – number “1” on upper obverse point of the star
o second class – number “2” on upper obverse point of the star
o ???
18. Unknown – Obverse: An eight-pointed rayed silver star with the national crest in the center in silver on black enamel. Ribbon: Green with yellow edges and a yellow central stripe.
19. Unknown – Obverse: An eight-pointed rayed silver star with the national crest in the center with a decorative border (all in silver). Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
20. Military Bravery Medal – Established: The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: 38-mm circular medal, a trophy of arms with the national coat of arms above, the turgah of the ruler in the center, and the legend “Ghairt” (?) on a scroll below. Reverse: A wreath. The year of award is sometimes inscribed here? Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
o first class – gold?
o second class – silver?
o third class – bronze
21. Military Service Medal – Also known as the Decoration for Faithful Service? Established: By Amanullah, ca. 1920. The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: 32-mm circular silver medal, a trophy of arms with the national coat of arms above, a legend in the center, and a legend on a scroll below. Reverse: Plain. Ribbon: Equal stripes of green, red, black (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely); note that this seems to be the reverse of the "standard" ribbon?
22. King Ammanullah's Distinguished Service Medal – Is this the same as the item immediately above? Established: By King Amanullah, ca. 1920. The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Ribbon: Violet, with narrow center stripes of white, green, pink, green, pink, green, white.
23. King Zahir Shah’s Distinguished Service Medal – Is this the same as the item immediately above? Established: By King Zahir Shah, ca. 1933. Obverse: 39-mm circular medal, a trophy of arms with the national coat of arms above, the turgah of the ruler in the center, and a legend on a scroll below. Reverse: A wreath.
o first class – gold?
o second class – silver?
o third class – bronze
24. Service Medal – Also the Medal of Honor for Faithful Service and Good Conduct? Established: By Mohammed Zahir Shah, ca. 1942. The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: 3 Silver, 38-mm (32-mm?) circular medal with the national arms within a wreath. Reverse: A legend within a wreath. Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
o first class – gold?
o second class – silver
o third class – bronze
25. Medal for Faithful Service – Established: By Mohammed Zahir Shah, 1934. The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
26. Medal of Merit – Established: By Mohammed Zahir Shah, 1946. The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
27. Ghuznee Medal, 1839 – Awarded for participation in the assault on the fortress at Ghazni in July 1839. Established: 1839. Established by Amir Dost Muhammad of Afghanistan for award to both Afghan and British troops. He was, however, overthrown before the medal could be bestowed and its award was "inherited" by the East India Company, so this medal has rather of a mixed parentage. Obverse: A circular 37-mm medal. The gateway of the Ghazni fortress with the legend "GHUZNEE" below. Suspended from a straight-bar clip suspender. Reverse: A wreath, with the legend "23d JULY" at the upper edge and a crowned "1839" at the bottom. The central area is blank and is frequently utilized for unofficial naming of the medal. Ribbon: Half green, half maroon.
28. Medal for Kabul, 1890 – A very dubious tentative identification of the obverse and reverse of this medal is offered for your consideration. Ribbon: Red.
29. Victory Medal for Herat, 1319 – Awarded by King Abdur Rahman for the victory at Herat 1901 (C.E.). Obverse: 27 mm, circular silver medal. State arms above an inscription in a wreath. Reverse: Inscription, ornamented.
30. Officer's Star of Honor for the Campaign Against Bachha-i-Saqqa, 1309 – Awarded to officers for the campaign against “Bachha-i-Saqqa”, 1931 (C.E.). Established: By Mohammed Nadir Shah. Obverse: 50-mm, six-pointed silver star with offset six-pointed rayed star (overall impression of a twelve-pointed star, with alternate points rayed). State arms in the center, surrounded by an inscription. Reverse: Plain. Ribbon: Believed to be equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
31. Service Medal for the Campaign Against Bachha-i-Saqqa, 1309 – Awarded to enlisted personnel for the campaign against “Bachha-i-Saqqa”, 1931 C.E. Established: By Mohammed Nadir Shah. Obverse: 40-mm circular silver medal. State arms within a wreath. Inscription. Reverse: Wreath. Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
32. Commemorative Medal for Independence, 1309 – For independence in 1931 C.E. Obverse: 33-mm circular silver medal. State arms in a wreath. Reverse: Inscription in a wreath.
33. Konar State Rebellion Medal, 1324 – Established: 1945. Obverse: Circular silver medal, 40 mm. A trophy of arms in the center with the Afghan arms above and the legend “Khidmat” or “Service” on a scroll below. In the center, the legend “Waalammw ‘Alijjah Muhammad Zahir Shan” or “??? Muhammad Zahir Shah”. Suspended from a ring. Reverse: A central circle with the legend “Kubaraha 1324 [A.H. = 1945 C.E.]”. Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
34. Medal of Honor for Seven Months' Service – Established: Mohammed Zahir Shah, 1947. The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: Silver, 35-mm eleven-sided medal with the national coat of arms within a legend. Reverse: A legend. Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
35. Anti-Aircraft Artillery Medal – Obverse: Three soldiers with an anti-aircraft gun?
36. Medal of Honor for Agricultural Merit – Established: Mohammed Zahir Shah, 1952. The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Obverse: Silvered, 39 mm, a horsehead with a legend below, surrounded by a wreath with the date “1330” or “1951 [C.E.]”.Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
37. Medal of Honor for National Sport Merit – Established: Mohammed Zahir Shah, 1966. The award presumably became obsolete with the overthrow of the Afghan monarchy in 1973. Ribbon: Equal stripes of black, red, green (widths and standards of manufacture vary widely).
38. Unknown – Obverse. 35 mm circular medal. Within a sunburst, the legend “Sanatan Hat” or “???”. Suspended by an ornate, wreath-pattern, straight bar. Reverse: In the center, the Afghan arms, surrounded by a cir le of stars. Surrounding, three legends. Ribbon: Olive green with a red-pink central stripe.
o silver
o bronze
39.
Independence Unknown, 1956 – Obverse: Silver 38 mm, what looks
like a bridge with a sheaf of grain in upper right, below hills with the
number “37” below. Is this
the reverse? Suspended from a ring. Reverse:
On a tablet between ornamental rosettes, the Dari legend “Dafghanistan
Istiqlal” or “Afghanistan Independence” and the date “1334 [A.H. =
1956 C.E.]” below. Is this the obverse? Ribbon:
35 mm, equal stripes of black, red, and green.
40. Unknown – Obverse: A 37-mm six-pointed silver star. The Afghan arms with a legend. Suspended by a ring from a straight-bar suspender. Reverse: Plain with a central circle.
41. Unknown – This is a strange and rather mysterious award, reported only by an e-mail correspondent. Obverse: Described by a correspondent: “On the front is the Afghan flag symbol. . . . It appears to be dated 1832 (in persian numerals) and named Agha Jan. As far as I can decipher the persian writing, there are names of Afghan places round the outside, which has 11 semicircular protrusions. Ones I can work out are Kabul, Herat, Maimana, ?Pul i Khumri, Kala..., ?Shatt Rud, and so on. On the front these have dates (Kabul 21, Balkh 14) . . . .” Reverse: “. . . on the back some writing which is too ornate for me to decipher. . . . on the back they are numbered 1-11 (1 could be Jalalabad?) 2 Kabul etc.” Ribbon: Purple, yellow, red, and black.
Republic (1973-78):
???
Peoples' Democratic Republic (1978-87):
1. Hero of Revolutionary Afghanistan – Gold star medal. Awarded only twelve times. Similar to the Soviet gold star for the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Established: 9 August 1986. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A five-pointed gilt (gold?) star with the Afghan arms in the center. Reverse: ???. Ribbon: Suspended by a solid rectangular suspension from a ??? ribbon. Awards: Awarded only twelve times from 1986 to 1992.
2. Hero of Labor – Similar to the Soviet gold star for the title Hero of Socialist Labor.
3. Mamalya Hero Mayvane – Heroic mother award? Similar to the Soviet Order of Mother Heroine? Obverse: A five-pointed star within a wheat wreath. Apparently worn around the neck?
4. Order of the Sun of Liberty – Also “Order of the Sun of Freedom”? Established: 10 October 1981. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A circular gold (gilt?) medal in an ornate sunburst design with a central circlet of crossed swords surrounded by a wreath with ??? above. Reverse: ??? Ribbon: Medium green with a yellow central stripe. Ribbon stripes are in equal thirds. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
5. Order of the Saur Revolution – This order came in two varieties, the first (1980-??), was awarded under the Khalq Regime. This variety has sometimes been mis-described as the “Order of Education”. A second variety was awarfded from 19?? to the end of the republic in 1992. Similar to the Soviet Order of the October Revolution. Established: 24 December 1980. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: First Variety: A gilt rectangle, rayed, In the center, within a gilt wreath tied with red-enameled ribbons, the gilt Pashto legend “Khalq” or “Masses”. Above, a gilt five-pointed star and, below, the gilt legend “???” on a red-enameled scroll. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension. Second Variety: A five pointed star with rays between each arm. In the circular ???-enameled center, two crossed flags – Afghan left and ??? right – with the Afghan coat of arms above and the Dari legend “???” below. Reverse: Plain for both?. Ribbon: First Variety: Red with three gold-yellow stripes toward the center. Second Variety: Dark with seven lighter stripes (?). Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
o first variety, 1980-??
o
second class - second variety, 19??-92
6. Order of the Red Banner – Established: 24 December 1980. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Similar to the Soviet Order of the Red Banner. Obverse: A slightly oval silver-gilt medal, 38 mm x 42 mm, with an enameled red flag in the center, surrounded by sheaves of wheat; above, a gilt red star in a circle. Reverse: Plain. Ribbon: Red, 24 mm, with a single 4½-mm white stripe 5 mm from the left edge of the ribbon. This gives the ribbon a slightly “unbalanced” appearance. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
7. Order of Friendship Between Nations – Similar to the Soviet Order of Friendship Between Nations. Established: 24 December 1980. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A five-armed gilt cross with star-points between each arm. In the center, the circular gilt legend “???” on a white-enameled circle. In the center of this, on a gilt background, a light-blue-enameled globe with a gold star above. Reverse: plain. Ribbon: Plain red. Suspended by a solid rectangular suspension.
8. Order of Glory – Established: 17 May 1982. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: An eight-pointed ??-mm rayed silver star. In the center, within a green-red-black enameled circle, a domed blue-enameled center. On this, within a green-enameled wreath with a red star above, a gold open book, hammer and sickle. Reverse: Within a concave area, the legend “Iftikahr” or “Glory”. Ribbon: Blue with three silver-gray stripes toward the center. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
9. Order of Gallantry – Also “Order of Bravery”? Are there separate 1985-87 and 1987-92 varieties (with and without the open book?) Overall, the impression is that of a direct copy of the Soviet Order of the Red Star. Established: 29 October 1985. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A 48-mm five-pointed silver star, enameled red. In the center, the gilt enameled Afghan arms. Worn from a screw-back suspender. Reverse: Plain, with a screw post. The medals are numbered on the reverse in Dari. Ribbon: Unknown. No ribbon is worn with the decoration but, presumably, there was a ribbon for ribbon-bar wear?
o first variety, 1985-87 – with open book
o second variety, 1987-92 – without open book
10. Order of the Star – Awarded for gallantry on, apparently, the model of the Soviet Order of Glory. Established: 24 December 1980. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A 55-mm five-pointed star with the national coat of arms in the center. This coat of arms changed in 1987. Reverse: Plain except for a number indicating the class of award stamped in the center (in Dari). Ribbon: 24 mm, equal stripes of (left to right) green, red, and black, with narrow white edges: 1½ mm white, 7 mm green, 7 mm red, 7 mm black, 1½ mm white. Suspended from a “Warsaw Pact” style pentagonal suspender.
o first variety, 1980-87, Afghan coat of arms with open book in the center
1. first class – gilt star, “1” in center of reverse
2. second class – silver star with gilt center, “2” in center of reverse
3. third class – silver star, “3” in center of reverse
o second variety, 1987-92, Afghan coat of arms with no open book in the center
1. first class – gilt star, “1” in center of reverse
2. second class – silver star with gilt center, “2” in center of reverse
3. third class – silver star, “3” in center of reverse
11. Order of Labor – Ribbon: Black with two yellow central stripes.
12. Ghazi Amir Amanullah Medal – Named after Amir Amanullah Khan??? Obverse: Circular sunburst-design medal, within a wreath of wheat sheaves, a ceremonial archway with two crossed swords below. Reverse: ??? Ribbon: Five essentially equal stripes, dark edges and lighter center. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
13. Madal Dawalati Ghazi Mir Macha Khan / National Medal of Ghazi Mir Macha Khan – Named after Mir Macha Khan??? Established: 17 May 1982. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A 34-mm gilt bronze medal, with the facing head of Mir Macha Khan surrounded by two swords below and a wheat design above. Reverse: The legend “???”, “Madal Dawalati Ghazi Mir Macha Khan”, or “National Medal of Ghazi Mir Macha Khan”. Ribbon: Equal stripes of light blue, red, and green. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
14. Faid Djamanudin Afghania (?) – Religious award? Obverse: An essentially circular star-shaped medal of ten rayed points. In the center, and extending above, an image of a minbar or pulpit.
15. Mir Bays Nike – ???
16. Mir Vazni Hay – ???
17. Order of Ahmed Shah – Established and manufactured, but never awarded. Established: Never awarded. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A ten-pointed rayed star, with alternating points of gilt and silver. In the gilt circular center, the facing image of Ahmed Shah (???).Reverse: ???. Ribbon: Red, with gold edge stripes and, inside these, stripes of narrow white, medium blue, and narrow white. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
18. Order of Muhammad Tarzi – Established and manufactured, but never awarded? Seems to have come in two varieties, the first the “Muhammad Baba” variety?? It is not presently known how these varieties differ. Established: Never awarded. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: An eight-pointed gilt star with shorter rays between each point. The arms are edged in light blue enamel. In the circular center, surrounded by a gilt wheat design. This central circle is divided in half horizontally, light blue enamel above and gilt below. In the center, a red flag (carpet?) with an ink-well and pen on it. Is there a legend below this? Reverse: ???. Ribbon: Red, with three thin white stripes toward each edge. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
o first variety, “Muhammad Baba”
o second variety
19. Medal for Gallantry – Awarded for gallantry, roughly equivalent to the Soviet . Two varieties?? First variety, 1980-??. Second variety, 19??-??. Established: 24 December 1980. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: First Variety: ??? Second Variety: 37 mm circular silvered medal. Within a patterned border, a depiction of a tank in an Afghan landscape with three jets above. Between the two, a Dari legend. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension. Reverse: Plain. Ribbon: 24 mm, light blue gray with 1 mm white edge stripes and two 1.5-mm dark blue stripes at the center, 2.5 mm apart.
o first variety
o second variety
20. Military Service Medal – Also the “Medal for Loyal Service”. Similar to the Soviet ???. Established: The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: 32 mm bronze gilt circular medal. Within a patterned border, a five-pointed star above and a crossed AK-47 and saber below. Between, the Dari legend “Dafghanistan Janhuriat / ???” or “The Republic of Afghanistan / ???”. Reverse: Plain. Ribbon: 24 mm, blue-gray with 3-mm red edges. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
21.
Medal of Faithfulness ? – Established: The
award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic
in 1992. Obverse: Bronze 37 mm circular medal. A worker (?)
armed with an AK-47 with an industrial scene behind and a wreath to the left.
Suspended by a ring from a rectangular suspender. Reverse:
The legend “Saraqat” or “Faithfulness”. Ribbon: 18 mm, yellow with
three central 2-mm red stripes, 2 mm apart. The suspension is by a solid
rectangular pin back suspender.
22. Loyalty Service – Established: 17 May 1982. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Ribbon: Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension?
23. Self-Sufficiency Medal – Established: 17 May 1982. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: 38 mm, circular bronze/gilt, with a silver cog-shaped left edge and a wheat-sheaf designed right edge. In the center, a scene of agriculture and industry, including a tractor, hydroelectric dam, and power lines. Reverse: Plain, with the Dari legend “Nadakari” or “???”. Ribbon: A black ribbon with two broad gold stripes. Also seen on a 24 mm ribbon, light blue with a 7-mm gold-yellow central stripe (but this ribbon is also associated with the Order of the Sun?). Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
24.
Medal for Protection of Borders – Similar to the
Soviet ???. Established: 24
December 1980. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse
of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: 32 mm, circular gilt bronze. Within
an ornamented border, a standing armed border guard with a tower (??) and
mountains behind. Reverse: Plain, with a small curved Dari legend along the bottom edge. Ribbon: Light olive green, with narrow white edge stripes and two medium-width
central red stripes. –OR– Also
seen on a 23-mm ribbon, equal stripes of
green, red, and black. Many other
(rogue?) ribbons have been seen on this medal. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact”
style pentagonal suspension.
25. Medal for Good Conduct – Three patterns. This is a very dubious identification. Ribbon: Equal stripes of light tan, red, and light tan.
o first variety – ???
o second variety
o third variety
26. Labor Merit Medal – ???
27. Medal for Combat Service – Also “Good Military Service”. The design is similar to, and almost certainly inspired by, the Soviet Union's medals for Distinguished Military Service (but with legend in Dari rather than Russian and a more ornate suspension device); the Afghan award, however, appears to have been in only one class. Established: 24 December 1980 (?). The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A 39-mm gilt five-pointed star with squarish points between bearing emblems of the branches of service, clockwise from the top: air, artillery, infantry (?), signals (?), and armor. In the center the heads of a soldier, airman, and ???, facing left. This is surrounded by a legend. Suspended by a ring from a fixed ornate rectangular suspender. Reverse: Plain. Ribbon: 24 mm, red with a 1½ mm yellow stripe toward each edge: 2 mm red, 1½ mm yellow, 17 mm red, 1½ mm yellow, 2 mm red. Threaded through an ornate suspender with a pin on the reverse.
28. Medal “From the Grateful Afghan People” – Or is this better called an “Internationalist Warrior” medal? Awarded to Soviet troops for their service in Afghanistan, 1979-89. Established: ???. Obverse: A circular 32-mm gilt medal with the enameled depictions of the Afghan flag (19??-?? version) and, behind it, the Soviet flag. Beneath the two, a rising sun over the Afghan mountains and a laurel branch. Suspended by a straight bar suspender. Reverse: The legends “ОТ БЛАГОДАРНОГО АФГАНСКОГО НАРОДА” and the equivalent in Dari. Ribbon: 25 mm, light blue. Suspended from a solid rectangular suspender with a screw back.
29. Medal for the Tenth Anniversary of the Saur Revolution – Awarded to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the revolution. Established: 27 April 1988. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A 32-mm circular bronze medal. A four-armed stylized cross with a torch in the center. Reverse: The legend “Medal Dahasalgi / Anqrab Thua” or “???”.Ribbon: 25 mm green. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
30. Medal of Ghazi Muhammad Ayub Khan – Obverse: Circular medal, within a sunburst boundary and a wheat-sheaf wreath, the facing image of Ghazi Muhammad Ayub Khan.
31. Medal for Good Conduct in Military Service – How much does this differ class-by-class are there separate 1980-87 and 1987-92 varieties with altered coats of arms (w/ and w/o book)? Established: 24 December 1980. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the People’s Republic in 1992. Obverse: A circular medal, in the center an enameled star bearing the Afghan coat of arms (does this change at 1987?). The details of the design differ by class/division, as detailed below. Reverse: ???. Ribbon: Differs by class/division, see below. Suspended by a ring from a “Warsaw-Pact” style pentagonal suspension.
o for 25 years, also known as “Veteran of Armed Forces” – doubled rayed star, gilt medal with red-enameled star – ribbon: ???
o for 20 years – gilt medal with green-enameled star – ribbon: ???
o for 15 years – gilt medal with blue-enameled star – ribbon: ???
o for 10 years – gilt medal with red-enameled star – ribbon: ???
o for 5 years – white metal medal with red-enameled star – ribbon: white with a central blue stripe with thin red edges and edge stripes of blue, thin red, white, thin red, blue, thin red.
32. Victory Medal
o first class – gilt
o second class – white metal
33.