BACKGROUND: On June 28^TH 1940 the Russians overtook the Romanian territories of Bessarabia and northern Bukovina that had been ceded to her from Russia and Austria respectively, at the end of the first World War. This resulted, with German pressure, in the abdication of Romania’s King Carol II on September 6^TH 1940 and the occupation of the rest of the country by German troops on October 7^TH. The Germans soon appointed Field Marshall Ion Antonescu, as Prime Minister with Carol’s son, King Michael I as a puppet figurehead. On November 23^RD 1940 the Romanians signed the Tripartite Pact and officially became an Axis power. With the German invasion of Russia on June 22^ND 1941 the Romanians joined in whole heartily and on April 1^ST 1942 the Romanians instituted the Crusade against Communism medal, to commemorate their participation in the campaign. The award could also be enhanced with the addition of one of fourteen named bars that were to be suspended from the ribbon for front line service at specific locations. German nationals that were eligible for Foreign awards were required to obtain the express approval of Hitler through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the only exception being that Foreign War decorations did not require Hitler’s approval and this award was liberally bestowed to both Romanian and German troops. Of Note: The Romanian’s began the war with a standing army of roughly 700,000 personnel and by the time they capitulated on August 23^RD 1944 they had suffered approximately 615,000 casualties. Also Of Note: After Romania’s capitulation German regulations of November 15^TH 1944 prohibited wear of any Romanian awards by German nationals.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 1 1/4" diameter, die struck bronze construction award. The obverse of the award features an embossed female profile, representing liberty, encompassed by embossed script, "Romania Recunoscatoare" ,(Romania is Grateful). The obverse of the award also has the embossed designer’s name, "P. Grant". The reverse of the award features an embossed hand holding a sword superimposed upon a Greek style cross with the embossed date, "1941" and script, "Cruciada Impotriva Comunismului". (Crusade Against Communism). The medal loop and ribbon suspension ring are both intact but the ribbon is absent. The award comes with a roughly, 4 3/8" x 1 7/8" pale grey, light weight, cardstock issue envelope with black printed Latin script to the obverse which includes, "Medalia Cruciada Impotriva Comunismului", (Crusade Against Communism Medal), and the issuing authority, "Ministerul Apărării Nationale", (Ministry of National Defense). The envelope has a fold over, top flap and the reverse has the black printed, manufacturer’s name, "Monetăria Natională", (National Mint). The envelope is in overall fair good condition with light age toning and a couple of small tears.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $119.00