On 10/12/1942 near Gona whilst guiding the 39th battalion into a village Sgt Bob ISKOV and fellow soldier Lt Jack Schwind were confronted by three Japanese Officers and were given the order to shoot by their Battalion Commander. They were later identified as a Lieutenant Colonel and one a Major who had in their possession valuable documents including a Map of Darwin defenses. Robert Francis ISKOV VX15237 born at Glenrowan served with the 59th Battalion CMF before joining the 2/14th Battalion at Caulfield in September 1940. He disembarked for the Middle East in November, 1940 and fought in the Syrian campaign in 1941. In 1942 the 2/14th Battalion returned to Australia and sent to Papua where he fought at the Battle of Isurava before the battalion was sent to Gona. On 1943 Bob returned to Australia to undertake officer training and in 1945 with the 2/23rd Battalion sailed to Morotai and served with the battalion on Tarakan. He returned to Australia in November, 1945 and discharged a month later. This set of ribbons were worn by the Japanese Lieutenant Colonel and identified from top row left to right as follows:- 2600th National Anniversary Imperial Rule Commemorative Medal -1940 China Incident Medal for service in China -1937-45 Manchukuo National Foundation Merit Medal - 1932-34 (more commemorative than merit) Manchurian Incident Medal - 1931-34 (commemorative) Showa Grand Enthronement Commemorative Medal Order of the Rising Sun - Military/civilian meritorious service Order of the Golden Kite -Military Bravery/Leadership (abolished 1947) Order of the Sacred Treasure - military/civilian long and distinguished service medal Manchurian Order of the Auspicious Cloud Set of nine in three rows of striped medal ribbons in various colours.japanese medal ribbons, ww2, civil and military, new guinea, gona, 39th battalion, sgt bob iskov, lt jack schwind