China, People's Republic. A Military Merit Medal 1954, III Class Newly Listed the obverse of the chape

the obverse of the chape and locket stamped "RE" between rules above and below (Royal Engineers)

which presumably was Schmidt’s initial training unit

indicating he had no previous military service

Instigated in 1942 and awarded to civilians

the SS in the form of the traditional runes

China, People's Republic. A Military Merit Medal 1954, III Class Newly Listed the obverse of the chapeThree piece construction, in bronze with red enamels, measuring 41. 5 mm (w) x 46 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, embroidered ribbon within a traditional horizontal hanger with pinback, chipping evident in the red enamels on the star point at 7 o'clock, very fine.