Indochina Medals - Lao PDR - LP06 Medal of Freedom

LP06	MEDAL OF FREEDOM (or Freedom Medal) or Medal of Liberty "Issara"
	(lian-sai it-sala) three classes – established in 1955
	For:	outstanding achievements for the LPDR, for individuals or a unit, for both Laotians or foreigners
	Design:	roundish breast badge, gilt with enamels, 40mm across, with suspension ribbon
		Obverse:	five pointed star, on a circular wreath of rice sheaves with a red circular band inside inscribed with the Lao inscription above for Laos(bathet lao) and below for freedom (it-sala);
		Reverse:	plain
	Ribbon:	in a pentagonal suspension, a blue ribbon 25mm with red edges 10mm, with no change for class; currently 25mm, but apparently earlier 35mm
		service bar: as per class (see below)

The medal is relatively common, most examples of this and other LPDR medals coming out of Vietnam where they were probably manufactured.

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - 1st Class / 2nd Class / 3rd Class (with ribbon bars denoting the class)

6/1	First Class - gold
	Design:	gold star and wreath
	Ribbon:	service bar 25 or 35mm - red with three blue stripes

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - 1st Class

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - 1st Class (variation) - possibly early example
(from the Lao National Museum, Vientiane, Laos)

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - 1st Class (variation with integral top ring suspension)

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - 1st Class (variation, crude type)

6/2	Second Class - silver
	Design:	silver star and gold wreath
	Ribbon:	service bar 25 or 35mm - red with two blue stripes

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - 2nd Class

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - 2nd Class (variation with integral top ring suspension)

6/3	Third Class - bronze
	Design:	silver star and wreath (also reported with bronze star and wreath)
	Ribbon:	service bar 25 or 35mm - red with one blue stripe

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - 3rd Class

3rd Class in Bronze ?

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - Apparently 1st Class (variation with integral top ring suspension) - (example appears bronze-ish)

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - Set of 3 classes which appears to have a bronze 3rd class medal

Other Examples

It has been extensively presented to soldiers of the People’s Army of Vietnam. One example displayed in the SRV Army Museum in Hanoi is labeled that it was presented to the “Vietnamese Voluntary Forces” who participated in the campaigns in the high country of Laos.

Medal of Freedom Picture

Examples displayed at the national museum in Moscow, Russia

Medal of Freedom Picture

Concocted Medals

Some medals may be found with incorrectly assembled components, possibly to facilitate their sale to collectors :

Medal of Freedom Picture
Medal of Freedom - concocted ribbon

For some recipients, see here

THE ORDERS AND MEDALS OF THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC