Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Belgian Korean War group of fifteen awarded to Captain-Commandant J. A. P. de Schodt, Belgian Army, who was taken Prisoner of War during the Second World War, and served with the Para-Commando unit in Korea, where he was wounded

Belgium, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, Officer’s breast badge, gilt and enamel, with rosette on riband; Order of Leopold, Knight’s breast badge, Military Division, silver and enamel, bilingual motto; Order of Leopold II, Knight’s breast badge, silver and enamel, bilingual motto; Military Cross, Second Class, gilt and enamel, with Belgian lion to both obverse and reverse centres; Korea, Republic, Order of Military Merit, Fourth Class, silver and enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘873’, with Star emblem on riband, with fitted case of issue; United States of America, Bronze Star, reverse engraved ‘J. A. P. de S.’; Belgium, Kingdom, Commemorative Medal for the Second World War 1940-45, bronze, 1 clasp, Chatkol, with crossed swords, crown, and red cross emblems on riband; Korea Medal, bronze, 1 clasp, Coree-Korea; Medal of the War Volunteer, bronze, 2 clasps, Pugnator, Korea-Coree; Volunteer’s Medal 1940-45, bronze, 1 clasp, 1940-1945; U.N. Medal for Korea 1950-54, French language issue; Korea, Republic, Korean War Participation Medal, bronze; Netherlands, Kingdom, Four Day March Cross, silvered and enamel, these all mounted as worn on two riband bars; Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, L.III.R., bronze, with bronze palm on riband; King Albert Commemorative medal, bronze, these both loose; together with the recipient’s Chevalier’s badge of the Order of the Crown, silver and enamel, with silver palm on riband, generally very fine and better (16) £600-£800

Jean Alphonse Paule de Schodt was born in Serinchamps on 16 July 1911 into a prominent Brussels family (at least one of his ancestors had their portrait painted by van Dyck), and joined the Belgian Army just after his 19th Birthday, enlisting into the prestigious 1er Guides Cavalry Regiment. Advanced Sergeant on 20 December 1932, he transferred to the Reserve on 15 November 1937, but was recalled following the outbreak of the Second World War. Captured and taken Prisoner of War on 29 May 1940, he was released soon after.

Joining the ‘Mouvement National Royaliste’ Resistance Movement as a Second Lieutenant on 6 March 1945, de Schodt was subsequently assigned to the Belgian Occupation Forces in Germany, and was promoted Lieutenant on 26 September 1949. Proceeding to Korea, he served with the Para-Commando Regiment, arriving in Korea on 14 February 1953. On the night of 9 March 1953, whilst second in command of a Company, he was supervising two sections in preparation for a counter-attack when a mortar shell landed and exploded close by. He suffered a pierced right arm, diagnosed as ‘acuptic trauma’. On 2 April 1953 he was appointed commanding officer of the HQ Company, and was promoted Captain on 26 September 1953.

For his services in Korea de Schodt was appointed a Chevalier of the Order of Leopold II (Royal Decree 15 May 1954); the United States of America Bronze Star; and the Korean Order of Military Merit. The citation for the Bronze Star states: ‘Captain de Schodt, a member of the Belgian United Nations Command, is cited for meritorious service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in Korea during the period 19 February 1953 to 10 February 1954. As Headquarters Company Commandant, Captain de Schodt performed his duties in a highly commendable manner. He also assumed numerous additional responsibilities, displaying unusual resourcefulness and initiative in performing every phase of his tasks with the utmost of efficiency, When approached by the logistical and tactical problems inherent in such a command position, Captain de Schodt put into practice his comprehensive knowledge of military techniques and procedures, and through his untiring efforts and superior leadership contributed materially to the combat effectiveness of the Belgian Battalion. His loyalty, initiative, and devotion to duty earned him the respect and admiration of all those with whom he served. The meritorious service rendered by Captain de Schodt throughout this period reflects great credit on himself and the Belgian Battalion.’

De Schodt was appointed a Chevalier of the Order of the Crown on 15 November 1954, and a Chevalier of the Order of Leopold on 15 November 1957, the latter whilst serving in the Congo. Returning to Belgium, he was promoted Captain-Commandant on 26 March 1960, and was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the Crown on 15 November 1961. He was awarded the Military Cross, Second Class, in recognition of twelve years’ service as an Officer on 6 April 1962, and finally retired on 1 October 1965.

For his Military service during the reign of King Albert (1909-34), de Schodt subsequently received the King Albert Commemorative Medal by Royal Decree on 12 July 1962. Following changes in the statutes to the Order of the Crown, he was further entitled to the Croix de Guerre, with palm, and received this, by Royal Decree, on 7 April 1967. He died two days later, on 9 April 1967.

Sold with the recipient’s riband bar for the first thirteen medals; various other cloth and metal insignia; a portrait photograph of the recipient; and copied research.