Germany. A Collection Of Romanian Awards & Certificates To Hauptmann Jordan, 1942/43

A grouping of Romanian awards to Hauptmann Jordan of the 30th Army (Heer) Corps, consisting of 1) An Order of the Star of Romania 5th Class Knight’s Cross accompanied by its award certificate, 2) A Crusade Against Communism Medal with Crimea Clasp accompanied by its award certificate, 3) A proof of award certificate for the Crusade against Communism Medal. 4) An accompanying letter, 5) A Studio Portrait Photograph.

1) Type II (Carol I), c. 1932-1947. A silver cross with eagles and crossed swords between the arms of the cross, with blue enameled arms and a multi-coloured enameled central medallion; the reverse with a multi-coloured enameled central medallion; on a swivel crown and loop for suspension from its correct replacement ribbon; measuring 39.65 mm (w) x 61.94 mm (h); weighing 19.6 grams. The preliminary Order of the Star of Romania certificate is in Romanian. It states that Hauptmann Jordan of the German 30th Army Corps was awarded the decoration 5th Class, Knight’s Cross, with swords and ribbon of military virtue for his deeds in the war against Soviet Russia in 1942. It is signed in blue ink by the Commander of the 4th Romanian Mountain Division, General Gheorghe Manoliu (1888–1980), a recipient of the Knight’s Cross, and dated to January 20, 1943. It measures 197 mm x 340mm.

2) A 1941 Romanian Cruciada Impotriva Comunismului; circular brass medal; on loop for suspension; with a correct replacement ribbon; the obverse with a hand holding a sword vertically with sun rays to the left and right of the hilt, and circumscribed “1941” as well as “Cruciada Importava Comunismului” (Crusade against Communism); the reverse with a portrait of a female facing towards the left and circumscribed “Romania Recunoscatoare” (Romania Recognisant); measuring 31.86 mm in diameter; weighing 17 grams. It is accompanied by an unused ribbon clasp, reading “Crimeia”. The Crusade against Communism Medal certificate is in Romanian. It states that Hauptmann (Captain) Friedrich-Wilhelm Jordan on the Staff of the Generalkommando 30th Army Corps was awarded the medal with a Crimea Clasp in Silver. It carries the facsimile of Defence Minister General Constantin Pantazi, and a signature by a Colonel and Staff Director, the name is illegible. It is dated to Bucharest on March 1, 1943. It measures 151 mm x 21 mm.

3) The proof of award certificate for the Crusade against Communism Medal is in German. It states that Joran received the decoration on November 17, 1942. It is dated to February 11, 1943 and signed in pencil by a Hauptmann and Deputy Adjutant, the name is illegible, ending in -bach. It measures 212 mm x 149mm.

4) The accompanying letter was sent to Jordan’s wife, Marianne in Munich, presumably since the certificate and clasp were too delicate to send to the front. The letter is dated to August 31, 1943 and signed in pencil by an Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) and Adjutant, the name is illegible. It measures 210 mm x 148mm.

5) The studio portrait shows Jordan in the rank of Oberfeldwebel (Master Sergeant). It measures 81 mm x 118mm.

Footnote: The 30th Army Corps was established in August of 1939. It was stationed in Poland in mid 1940, then in Romania in early 1941. From there it set off to Bulgaria and Greece in the spring of 1941, reaching Crimea in the summer. During the first half of 1942 it was stationed in the vicinity of Sevastopol, during the second half of the year in the vicinity of Leningrad. In early 1943 the Corps was active in the general Donetsk area and would stay in the southern part of Ukraine until August of 1944 when it was destroyed. After re-establishment it was stationed in the Netherlands for the rest of the war.