non-fictionThis book is a record of those Australian servicemen who were awarded British and Foreign awards for service in South Vietnamroyal australian navy, royal australian army, royal australian air force, campaing service medal, 1 rar, 1 apc tp., 105 field battery, 161 fd battery rnza, 3 fd trp (rae), 1 aust log spt coy, 161 recce flight, army distinguished service order, armed force honour medal, air medal for valour, british empire medal, bronze star, civil actions medal, commander of the order of the bath, commander of the order of the british empire, conspicuous gallantry medal (flying), distinguished conduct medal, distinguished flying cross, distinguished service order, distinguished service cross, education and cultural service medal, ethnic monorities medal, gallantry cross, george medal, legion of merit, life saving medal, military cross, military medal, military merit medal, meritorious unit commendation, national defence medal with bronze star, national defence medal with silver star, national medal of merit (civil), the national order of the republic of vietnam, navy service medal, presidential unit citation, soldiers medal, silver star, social welfare medal, staff service medal, training service medal, united states air force outstanding unit award, united states navy meritorious unit commendation, united states navy unit commendation, victoria cross

On 10/12/1942 near Gona in New Guinea whilst guiding the 39th battalion into a village Sgt Bob ISKOV and fellow soldier Lt Jack Schwind VX15289 of Wangaratta were confronted by three Japanese Officers and were given the order to shoot by their Battalion Commander. The Japanese soldiers 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. In 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 worn by the Japanese Lieutenant Colonel are 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, 2/14 battalion