Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Set. This is an interesting original First Indochina War grouping associated with Private Kinh Ngoc Thai and the celebrated Régiment d’Infanterie Coloniale du Maroc, or RICM. The group consists of a named citation document dated April 7, 1953, an original RICM regimental badge manufactured by DRAGO of Paris, and a Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d’Opérations Extérieurs, the French War Cross for Overseas Operational Theaters.

The certificate measures 9 ¼ x 11 ¾” and is named to Private Kinh Ngoc Thai. The certificate recognizes him as a courageous and calm soldier who distinguished himself on February 5th, 1953 during an ambush in the Dong Ngu region of North Vietnam.

Official and regimental citation records describe particularly heavy RICM activity in the Red River Delta and northern Vietnam during 1952 and 1953, including operations along communications routes, in riverine areas, and in support of other French Union formations.

The RICM anchor badge is a pinback marked on the back for DRACO of PARIS. The Croix de Guerre has no pin but is in good overall condition.

Combined with the period DRAGO-made RICM badge and accompanying Croix de Guerre TOE, the grouping provides a strong material connection to the French Union forces operating in Tonkin during one of the most difficult phases of the First Indochina War.

With its named 1953 combat citation, Private Kinh Ngoc Thai attribution, RICM connection, DRAGO Paris regimental badge, and accompanying Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d’Opérations Extérieurs, this is a cohesive First Indochina War grouping centered on an individually cited soldier of one of France’s most distinguished colonial regiments.