Collecting Middle East Medals

It is has been more than 30 years since Saddam Hussein considered Kuwait Iraq’s 19th province and invaded that country. With the United States leading an international coalition, in November 1990 the United Nations set a deadline for Hussein to withdraw, authorizing the use of “all necessary means” to confront Iraq. When he did not comply with UN Security Council sanctions, the start of Desert Storm and the unleashing of the famous “Shock and Awe” campaign began.

In the August 2019 Issue of the Military Trader, this author detailed the efforts of a 35-nation coalition to liberate Kuwait and to catalog the many medals associated with the countries involved in the Liberation of Kuwait. Now, more than five years later, the Middle East is even more in the news with the fast moving events in the current headlines.

Following is another attempt to cover some of the many Middle East countries that occupy the region and describe the military decorations associated with some of those countries. It is not an attempt to describe all the medals and decorations that exist, but simply to show some of the examples and opportunities for those collectors seeking unique areas of medal collecting.

It is fitting that this discussion should start with the Republic of Iraq, which in our modern age achieved formal independence in 1932, after previously being under British control. Initially called the Kingdom of Iraq, it became a republic in 1958. Without dealing with the complex politics of Iraq in this modern period, we will exam some of the awards of the country, starting with a set of three medals called the Iraq Medal of Peace with the Kurds. Established March 11, 1970, it honored the settlement with the Kurds and their demand for autonomy, and ending the possibility of full scale internal war.

The Iraq Medal of Victory was issued to commemorate that Iraq declared war on the Axis powers in 1943. The medal was issued in 1945 for those with more direct participation in the war in the form of this unique seven point rayed medal.

Iraq also issued police medals over a period of several regime changes. The first Iraq Police General Service medal was issued by King Faisal I and established in 1924 and discontinued in 1939 when replaced by King Faisal II regime Police General Service Medal in the period 1939-1958. A third example is the Iraq Police General Service Medal awarded after the 1958 Revolution.
Other noteworthy Iraq medals include the Iraq King Faisal II Coronation, the Iraq (Kingdom of) WWII 1939-1958 Commemorative Medal, and the Iraqi Army Jubilee Medal for 1921-1971.

Among the most current Iraq medals associated with the Gulf crisis is the “Um Al Maarek Bravery Medal” — one of two decorations for the 1990 Gulf War. It was awarded to Iraqi armed forces who fought against the coalition in the First Gulf War. “Um Al Maarek” translated means “Mother of All Battles”, which is an Iraqi expression for the Gulf War. The accompanying “Um Al Maarek Badge” was instituted after the Gulf War ended in 1991 to recognize both military personnel and civilians who contributed above and beyond the call of duty to the effort against the coalition forces.

A third medal issued in this period was called the Iraq Supreme Worthiness Medal and was awarded during the 1992-1993 Saddam Hussein era.

When Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates flooded the market with cheap oil, Iraq could not sell at previous high prices with Hussein accusing Kuwait of pumping oil from Iraqi oil Fields, leading to Desert Storm. An international coalition came to the rescue of Kuwait, and at the end of the conflict, Kuwait in 1994 created the Kuwait Liberation Medal. The Kuwait Council of Ministers developed the award in five classes, generally according to the rank of the recipient. The most common class is the Kuwait Liberation 5th class, awarded to military personnel who served during 1990 and 1991. It is the most commonly seen Kuwait medal worn by American troops. It contains the coat of arms of the State of Kuwait, superimposed on a falcon with wings displayed. The reverse side is a map of Kuwait on a rayed background. The Fourth Class is seen in a silver circular medal with a five-pointed star over a pattern of engraved rays from the center. It was intended for warrant and junior commissioned officers. The Third Class is a bright gilt medal with the points of the star rounded with the star pierced between the star and the outer circle. The medal was awarded for Field–grade and equivalent officers. The reverse of both the 3rd and 4th class versions show an image of the Kuwait map and inscription in Arabic with slot brooches.

Another award was called the Kuwait Military Service Medal. Illustrated are 2nd and 3rd class examples of this medal. The 2nd class medal is seen in silver and the 3rd class seen in bronze.

The French proclaimed the creation of an independent Syrian republic as early as September 1941, and by Jan. 1, 1944 the country achieved complete independence. Since the presence of French troops continued with increasing friction and bloodshed, the official Syrian independence date is April 17, 1946 when all foreign troops were removed from the country. Syrian politics through the 1960s were marked by upheaval. Between 1946 and 1956, Syria had 20 different cabinets and four separate constitutions.

Military medals from Syria include two striking designs for both civil and military segments of the government. The beautiful five-arm white star in white and green enamels is the Syria Republic Order of Civil Merit, which was instituted June 25, 1953 and is awarded for service to the state or Arab cause. The equally striking six-arm bronze star surmounted by an eagle is the Syria Republic Order of Military Merit instituted on July 4, 1953. It is awarded for bravery in battle or services rendered. It is awarded in five grades.

Another interesting Syrian award is the Syria Order of Bravery, which was instituted on July 20, 1964 and amended in 1976 to be extended to civilians and foreigners. It is awarded to members of the armed forces for courage and valor during military operations. It could also be awarded for more generalized courage and exceptional service in the public interest. The medal is seen in three classes in the form of a gilt eight-pointed star with a circular central medallion showing a horseman charging left brandishing a sabre with Arabic script and green enameled wreaths below. The basic difference in the shown first, second, and third class examples is in the size of the star. The 3rd class is awarded to enlisted men, the 2nd Class to non-commissioned officers, and the 1st Class to officers.

For the military collector, Syria offers a variety of medals awarded to Army personnel. Examples are the Syria Army Silver Jubilee Medal instituted July 28, 1971 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Syrian Army. Another Army medal is the Syrian Long & Exemplary Service Medal established Jan. 6, 1962 and awarded to non-commissioned and enlisted personnel for 15 years of service. Completing the trio is the Syria Order of the Wounded, established on July 4, 1953. It is awarded to both military and civilian wounded while performing services for the state.

Additional examples of Syrian issued medals are tied to events within the government or of historical interest. Seen is the Syria Medal of 8 March. Established April 9, 1963 and commemorates the 1963 event in which the Ba’ath party took over the Syrian government.

Another award is the Syria Order of the Palestine Campaign, established May 16, 1948 to commemorate the 1948 campaigns in the Palestine war with Israel. Another honor called the Syrian Arab Army Medal was instituted in September of 1962 and was awarded to all members of the Armed Forces serving on August 1, 1962 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Syrian Army.

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the region and it also has a complex history. The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began properly on Sept. 23, 1932, when by royal decree the dual kingdom of the Hejaz and Najd, administered since 1927 as two separate units, was unified under the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Two commonly seen awards of Saudi Arabia are the Saudi Arabian Liberation of Kuwait Medal and the Saudi Arabian Combat Medal. The Saudi Arabian Liberation of Kuwait Medal was authorized by the government of Saudi Arabia to members of the coalition forces who participated in Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait. It is interesting to note that the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense authorized the acceptance and wearing by members of the U.S. armed forces. The Saudi Arabian Combat Medal was established in 1971 and given for outstanding service. It consists of 12 circular arms with the national symbol of crossed swords and palm. The ribbon has stripes in red, yellow, and green. These are the most commonly seen medals from Saudi Arabia available to collectors.

The United Arab Emirates was founded in 1971 when an agreement was reached between the rulers of six of the Emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain, and Ajman, with a seventh Emirate, Ra’s al-Khaimah joining the federation a year later. A distinct national identity was soon forged to ensure the country’s heritage was maintained.

Two examples of UAR medals are the United Arab Emirates Liberation of Kuwait Medal and UAE 1976 Peace Keeping Force, Lebanon. The UAE liberation of Kuwait Medal was an award given to members of the UAE’s military for service during the First Gulf War, 1990-91. UAE forces were some of the first forces to enter Kuwait City, with United States ships operating out of UAE ports. The United Arab Emirates 1976 Peace Keeping Force, Lebanon award is a 39mm bronze medal with unique enameling using the flags of the UAE and Lebanon. It is considered rare.

Afghanistan, Bahrain, and Lebanon also had awards for valor and service. The Afghan Medal of Freedom was instituted by Presidential Decree in 2006. It was issued to all troops from every country (including US, Australian, and Allied troop) for support of Afghan Freedom from the Taliban. The medal was only awarded 40 times before the U.S. and Afghan governments decided that further awarding of the medal might be embarrassing and unsettling to the regime. The Kingdom of Bahrain Liberation medal was instituted in 1991 and awarded to members of Bahrain’s military that served during the First Gulf War. The Lebanon Republic Order of Merit IV Class bronze medal is somewhat unusual in that it is an early award created in 1922 and updated in 1959. It consists of two higher awards and four ordinary classes.

Researching the medals of the Middle Eastern countries can be complicated thanks to the complex geopolitical histories of the countries in the region, and the fact that many of the awards were instituted in recent times. Exactly what qualifies as a Middle Eastern country further complicates matters. Along the countries we have discussed, Egypt, Turkey, and even some western Asian countries such a Pakistan are often included.

Israel and Iran, somewhat surprisingly, have issued relatively few military awards over the years. Even with the internet and eBay searches, collectors may find awards of both countries hard to find.