‘PUGNATOR’ - Awarded to personnel volunteered for the Belgium forces for the

  Korean War before 31 March 1953, who actually participated in

  combat. This clasp was originally bronze but was later issued in

  silver.

This medal was created the day after the ‘Medaille du Volontaire de Guerre

  Combattant’ by the Royal Decree of 8 April 1952 (M.B. of 27 April 1952) to be  

  awarded to Belgium citizens and foreigners who volunteered for the Belgium  

  forces for the duration of the Korean War and actually participated in combat.  The

  Royal Decree of 16 November 1953 (M.B. of 22 November 1953) determined the  

  ribbon and issues of clasp in bronze and the Royal Decree of 2 December 1953

  (M.B. 13 December 1953) announced the above dated or named clasp in silver.

Awarded to Belgium citizens and foreigners who volunteered for the Belgium

   forces for the Korean War before 31 March 1953 and who contributed to the

   execution of any measures determined by the Security Council of the United

   Nations and actually participated in combat.  The certificate of the `Medaille du

   Volontaire de Guerre 1952 Combattant' is issued by the Ministry of National

   Defence to all individuals qualified and also states which clasps are awarded.  The

   medal was also issued posthumously.  Personnel who already held the `Medaille

  du Volontaire de Guerre 1946' and also qualified for this medal were aloud to wear

   both.

The medals were manufactured at different Belgium mints, i.e. Fibru, De Greef, etc,

  using different dies hence the following variations:-

Type 1: obverse - The figure with a bare torso looking right is approximately 50%

   larger. The large ‘V’ is smaller recessed with eight glory rays also

   recessed between the arms of the ‘V’ and the sword in the figures

  right hand is thinner. The wording on this variant is ‘J.DEMART’

  below the figures left hand on the plain portion with the letter ‘B’

  just above, both are engraved in 1.25mm high letters.

  reverse - As the normal medal, except the lettering and lion are larger and

  less well defined.  The top of the second ‘O’ in ‘VOLONTARIIS’

   has been ground away to read ‘VOLUNTARIIS’ in 3.8mm high

   letters.

Type 2: obverse - As the type 1 variant except the figure is slightly larger and is not

  so well defined.  The sword is at a different angle and the bottom

  plain portion is only 6mm deep.  There is no letter ‘B’ engraved

   above ‘J.DEMART’.

   reverse - Reads ‘VOLUNTARIIS’ in 3.3mm high letters with the lettering

   and lion better defined.

Type 3: obverse - The figure with a bare torso looking right is slightly smaller than

  the type 1 variant but better defined. The large ‘V’ is recessed,

  with eight glory rays between the arms of the ‘V’ in relief.  The

   only wording is ‘JDD’ in 1.5mm letters in relief, just below the

  figures left hand and above the plain portion.

   reverse - As type 1 but the circumscription reads ‘.VOLONTARIIS.’ in

  3.3mm high letters

Type 4: obverse - The torso is slightly smaller than the type 1 variant, with no letter

   ‘B’ engraved on the medal.

  reverse - As the type 1 variant, with the circumscription ‘1940 – 1945’

Clasps:   A - Dimensions of the numerals or letters differ.

   B - The background of the clasp either smooth or rough.

  C - The sheen of the metal may differ.

  D - Clasps may be slide on type, or pin type fixation to the ribbon.