"VIRIATO AVIADOR" GODINHO

Bom Dia,

Coloco aqui hoje, algumas fotos das medalhas deste "Viriato Aviador", de nome GODINHO,com o posto de sargento, que esteve na Guerra de Espanha. Recebeu uma medalha Inglesa "Meritorious Service" da II GM por "serviços meritórios", certamente por alguma responsabilidade em salvamento de pilotos Ingleses abatidos,ou que aterraram em território Português por causas diversas (avarias, falta de combustivel, acidente,etc).Tentarei brevemente descobrir mais alguma coisa sobre o nosso "Viriato" GODINHO.A medalha Inglesa apresenta o nome deste Português gravado na face angular da mesma, mas que, por razões de privacidade resolvi não mostrar.Esta medalha é rarissima, pois foram distribuidas pouco mais de 1000 unidades.

Observando a barrete de medalhas recebidas, e relativamente às da Guerra Civil de Espanha, podemos constatar que recebeu a Medalha da Campanha, bem como duas medalhas da "Cruz Roja" Espanhola.

Sobre os aviões abatidos e perdidos em Portugal, durante a IIGM, aconselho o livro "ATERREM EM PORTUGAL", de Carlos Guerreiro.
http://www.landinportugal.org/

The British Empire Medal was created by Royal Warrant on December 29th 1922 and replaced the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (1907-1922). The medal was awarded for meritorious service in the British Empire. In 1922, the medal was divided into ‘The Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Gallantry (known as the Empire Gallantry Medal - EGM)’ and ’The Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service – BEM)’. After the EGM was superseded by the George Cross on September 24th, 1940, the BEM continued to be awarded for gallantry, but a degree less than that required to earn the George Medal.

A bar was awarded for additional acts of gallantry and from 1957 on a silver oak leaf emblem was worn on the ribbon to signify that the award was for gallantry and not for service.

The award is a circular silver medal with a diameter of 1.42 inches. On the obverse is the picture of ‘Britannia’ seated, with the sun to her right. Legends around the edge reads FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE and on the below of the award is the inscription FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE. The EGM had the inscription FOR GALLANTRY on the bottom.

On the reverse of the award is the Royal Cypher surmounted by a crown with the words : INSTITUTED BY KING GEORGE V within a border of four heraldic lions.

Until 1938 the civil ribbon was purple (1.25 inches wide) and the military ribbon had a narrow central stripe added. From 1938 the civil ribbon is pink with pearl-grey edges and the military ribbon has a narrow, pearl-grey central stripe added.

Military awards have the service number, full name and unit or service engraved and civil awards have the names in full engraved.

During World War 2 a total of 1236 medals were awarded. For merit 1202 medals and for gallantry 34 medals.

See also: Order of the British Empire

                GRUPO DE VIRIATOS PORTUGUESES DURANTE A GUERRA CIVIL ESPANHOLA