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The author’s purpose in this series, which obviously entailed an enormous amount of research, not to mention the time and energy in tracking down these rare and most~ ly unpublished pictures, was, he tells us, "to present a complete and accurate des- cription of all Russian warships after the advent of steam propulsion." This is something for naval historians and collectors of esoteric naval and mar- itime lore. Tes, the "Potemkin" is here, made famous by the film Sergei Eisenstein made in 1925, depicting the story of her mutiny. ("Potemkln" was ultimately scrapped by the Soviet Navy.) If this special interest book is a success, the author will proceed with a second, on Imperial Russian cruisers. The format of the present book is attractive, paperhound. B 00 K R E V I E W by S. G. Yashlnltsky COINS, MEDALS, AND TOKENS OF THE PHILIPPINES, by Aldo Basso. Menlo Park, Cal.. Chenby Publishers, 1968. Cloth, profusely illustrated. 136p. $5.25 This book is primarily written to serve the numismatist; however, it covers the medallic section of Philippine numismatics so thoroughly that it definitely belongs on the shelves of all medal collectors. The medal section comprises one- quarter of this book, and is the only such documentation in print. [Outside of articles in these pages by Mr. Peterson] Section E deals with commemorative medals, tokens, and semi-official awards, while Section F is titled, "Military Decorations and Medals," and covers awards given by Spain during the Spanish Period, describing and illustrating all the medals given by Spain for Philippine service, from the Jolo Campaign of 1876, to the Mindanao Campaigns of 1890-95. Then the Revolutionary Period medals are shown, followed by those of the Philippine Constabulary. The Commonwealth~ and then the Republic awards are dealt with next. This covers the entire series of the decorations and medals which have ever been awarded by the Philippines, in an easily readable, systematic manner, all awards being numbered for easy reference. There are some omissions, indeed, this is understandible since there are few sources of information which would offer the necessary data regard- ing some very obscure and occasionally unique medals which have been given by the Philippine Government. But, this is a small worry considering the thoroughness with which the regular series is covered. Turning to Section III of the book, we see for the first time the most com- plete selection of Japanese Oeeupatioh’Medals issued between 1942 and 1945, start- ing with the better-known General Noma Medal, one type of which was struck over the Philippines peso pieces on which the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are some- times faintly visible. Many military, commemorative, and even table medals are covered in this part of the book. It includes the only military decoration given by the Phillipine Government during the Japanese Occupation, the Tirad Pass Medal, 1942-45. This is the first time that I have seen this award in print. And it is not the only such item which is published or illustrated for the first time any- where. Coins are covered from the earliest Spanish cobs to the most recently issued money of the Republic of the Philippines. All are well described, illustrated, and priced in different grades. Tokens, leper colony coins, and other odds-and-ends are also included, making this book the most well rounded of its type in a long time. It is available by mail from the author at $5.25 a copy: 2309 South E1 Camino Real, San Marco, Calif., 94403, U.S.A. NOTES ON LIFESA%qNG MEDALS COPTER PILOT WINS HONOR - Submitted by member Robert Lehmaeher Las Vegas, Nev. Major Bruce P. Crandall became the first recipient of the Avco-AWA Helicopter Heroism Award presented during the annual meeting of the Aviation/Space Writers Association held here of May 15, 1968. The award is sponsored by Avco Corpor- ation and the association, known as AWA. The 34-year-old Army helicopter pilot was cited for his rescue of twelve wounded souldiers, making two flights under intense enemy fire and in total_darkn~$s wSth oBly a flashlight to guide him into a small landing zone surrounded on three slues sy tall trees.
