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Verzetsster Oost-Azië 1942-1945 (VOA)

The Resistance Star East Asia is a gallantry award established by Queen Juliana in a Royal Decree of October 26, 1948 to recognize Dutchmen and Dutch nationals in the Dutch East Indies who "through strength of spirit, character or sense of community have made themselves of particular merit for by captivity, internment or otherwise come under the power of the enemy or Dutch nationals, or in the resistance against the enemy".

The award commemorates the resistance against the Japanese occupier of the Dutch East Indies, which continued even after the capitulation of the Indian army and claimed many victims.

The bronze six-pointed star with a flaming sun and the words "de geest overwint" was designed by Frans Smits and is worn on a purple ribbon with two gold bands. The colors of the ribbon are symbolic; the golden yellow recalls the custom of wrapping a gift in a gold colored fabric. The reverse reads: "Maart 1942 - O.AZIE - AUGUSTUS 1945".

Grid List
Engler, Hugo Heinrich Ludwig* December 21st, 1901
† September 18th, 1944

Erkelens, Enno* December 10th, 1908
† May 14th, 2002

Sources