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Sorry for the unintentional fish bones left. As the Presidential Administration ("Bankova", name discontinued 2005-2010) is intended to manage and relieve the President of many administrative activities, I thought it an adequate link for transmitting the President's will to lower levels. My mistake, it seems. The Order of Merit can be awarded to members of the armed forces for outstanding military achievements: then the ribbon displays crossed swords, which is the case here. Bogdan's neckband is explicitely said to be an exceptional award: here it can be awarded only for a fourth outstanding feat, after the 3rd and 2nd classes of the Order of course but also a first gold star of Hero have already been awarded, which does not concern 1st Lt Anybody. I put it in the list thinking about the Red baron exceptionally awarded an order usually not conferred below field rank officers, due to his international notoriety and propaganda status as a living standard for his fighting nation. [ Personally, for modern jet air force, I rather use different lists of ranks beginning with 1st Lt or Cpt depending on the nation, reflecting seasoned pilots; so if awarded after one or two promotions you would have a Cpt or Maj, which I agree, sounds more realistic. ]