Austria, Imperial. An 1849 Merit Cross, II Class, in Gold, by V. Mayer, c.1914 Archive when he downed an unidentified

when he downed an unidentified enemy aircraft North of Alexandria

and maker marked “I

and crossed axes

a Silver Medal

leaving the Marines stuck on the reef some 500 yards off shore

Austria, Imperial. An 1849 Merit Cross, II Class, in Gold, by V. Mayer, c.1914 Archive when he downed an unidentified(Goldenes Verdienstkreuz). Instituted 16 February 1850. (1875 1914 issue). Military Division. In Gold, a beautiful decoration by Vincent Mayer & Sohne, comprising a Gold cross with red enamel arms, the obverse medallion featuring the raised initials FJ on a white enamelled disc, the reverse bears the date 1849, measures 29. 6 mm (w) x 33. 68 mm (h), weighs 14. 87 grams (including ribbon), marked V. MAYERS SOHNES and IN WIEN on the ring, worn on a