Gallantry Medals & Decorations of the World

By John D. Clarke

This book is acknowledged as the only work dealing exclusively with the identification and description of international gallantry awards, past and present. The multitude of illustrations allows the reader to readily identify those awards most likely to be encountered. The work embraces forty-three countries and describes 270 decorations together with their various classes. A ten page ribbon chart shows 216 different world gallantry ribbons all in full colour.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Sep 12, 2000
• ISBN: 9781473814516

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

In the past ten years some wide ranging changes have taken place in world gallantry and bravery awards.

Perhaps the most surprising and radical changes took place in the Russian Federation. After the fall of communism a full range of new awards were designed to replace those previously used under the Soviet system. President Yeltsin wished to revive Russian traditions of heraldry, and to bring the new Russian honours system into line with the rest of Europe. Even so it was surprising to see in the design of the new decorations the national emblem of the old Russian Imperial double backed eagle still wearing its Imperial crown!

The British award system was dramatically revised under the guidance of Prime Minister John Major who wished to reflect a more democratic society where all decorations would in future reward the act of gallantry or bravery without regard to rank. To achieve this end seven gallantry and bravery medals, previously awarded to non-commissioned officers and men were abolished, and a new gallantry award the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross was instituted.

New Zealand in September 1999 instituted seven new gallantry and bravery awards, including a New Zealand Gallantry Medal which replaced the British Mention in Despatches or Commendation emblem. These awards are amongst the most attractive of the Commonwealth, the newly instituted premier bravery decoration The New Zealand Cross is perhaps the most beautiful of all the decorations to have been designed in the past fifty years. These new awards now take their place in a long and honourable tradition of rewarding individuals for their brave and meritorious service to the State.

The pages of history often tell how brave military virtues have been noted and rewarded by nations over the span of time. In ancient Greece a crown and a suit of armour honoured a citizen who saved or protected the lives of others. Outstanding Greek warriors were awarded circular metal badges for gallantry, they wore these on their armour, while mounted cavalry who gained similar awards would attach the metal badge to the leather harness of their horses in the manner show-rosettes are displayed today. The Romans followed the same practice of bestowing decorations for bravery. They were either crescent shaped or circular, being fashioned in bronze or silver, appearing on these badges would be the likeness of gods or animals. Such awards are shown carved in detail on the gravestones of distinguished Roman soldiers; one such gravestone is displayed at Cirencester in Gloucestershire. A Roman citizen, when he saved the life of a fellow countryman, would be crowned with a chaplet of oak; this reward carried with it State privileges, which could be shared with his father and his father’s father. It is also mentioned how crowns of laurel fashioned in metal were bestowed as tokens of esteem to those Romans who had shown bravery in a victorious battle. The symbols of oak and laurel are universally found in the design of many decorations of gallantry, sometimes combined, as with the Belgium Order of Leopold, the French Legion of Honour, the Bronze Cross of the Netherlands, the Military Order of Italy, the American Medal of Honor Navy 1917–1942 and the exotic Soviet Order of Victory.

A Roman tombstone to Centurion Marcus Caelius of the Legion XVIII, he is clearly depicted wearing torques, armbands and five large military decorations on his chest

In Europe during the 14th century it became the custom to reward commanders or knights with the presentation of chains of gold to be worn round the neck, this practice continued right up to the 19th century. Sometimes the chains had plain links of a constant weight or links fashioned into symbolic designs, suspended from these chains would be a medallion or badge. It could be said these chains were the forerunners of the collar chains now used by the senior orders of chivalry.

Over the years the rewards for bravery has taken many forms, originally gifts of land and money or State privileges were bestowed upon the hero, later gallantry in battle would be noted by the presentation of an inscribed quality edged weapon. In Britain during the Napoleonic Wars, presentation swords were awarded to officers who by their gallantry had distinguished themselves in sea or land battles. These swords or sabres were presented on behalf of the Nation through the Patriotic Fund originated by Lloyd’s of London. The superb crafted weapons each inscribed on the blade with the name of the recipient and details of the action that gained the award. The swords came in three values £100, £50 and £30, the value of the sword did not relate to the degree of bravery performed, but was linked to the seniority and status of the officer.

Sometimes a representation of the entitled gallantry award would be set upon the scabbard or hilt of the weapon. This being the case of the presentation swords of Imperial Russia a badge depicting the Order of St Anne or St George as applicable would be affixed to the weapon. In more recent times the bestowal of top grade firearms to the hero would mark him out to his comrades as a worthy recipient of the State’s gratitude. The Soviets when awarding a presentation pistol to an exceptional worthy hero, would set within the pistol grip the badge of the Order of the Red Banner.

In Britain the earliest confirmed award of medals bestowed by the Monarch to reward gallantry and bravery in battle against the enemy, were awarded during the Civil War. Robert Welch and John Smith at the battle of Edgehill on 23 October 1642, rode into the thick of action to retrieve the standard of the King’s own regiment recently taken, and at the same time captured two fine cannons. Both men were knighted on the ‘field of battle’, and by warrant dated 1 June 1643, medals in gold were ordered to be struck as rewards. It is confirmed these two gallant gentlemen wore their medals on a broad sash of green silk, confirming an association of ribbon with medal, a practice taken for granted today. This bestowal indicates the practice of rewarding conspicuous gallantry on the actual battlefield. ‘In the field’, a term used today to describe those awards of gallantry bestowed by the commander within a short time after the act of bravery and close to where the deed was performed, these awards are considered by the fighting man to be of particular honour and importance. The term is reinforced by the legend that appears on the British Military Medal ‘FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD’, this same legend appears on the Swedish Medal for Bravery in the Field, established in May 1789.

Bravery is the highest attainment of the human spirit in adversity, and as such has been rewarded in many ways. The following pages describe perhaps the best known rewards of esteem bestowed for such heroic endeavours, the Orders, Decorations and Medals awarded by nations as tangible tokens of acknowledgement and gratitude to those who have performed signal acts of valour, bravery or gallantry. After the description and illustration of some awards I have included a true story of bravery, or the details from an official citation related to this type of decoration; it may assist in understanding the kind of courage required by the recipient to gain such an award. In describing all the classes of an Order it is well to note that in many cases the senior classes may seldom be awarded for gallantry, but to describe only the 3rd, 4th or 5th class, which is often the only classes bestowed for military gallantry, would not I feel do justice to the Order, or allow the reader to be able to recognize the components of the Order and how the various classes are worn.

I have included some medals, stars and crosses that do not readily fall into the category of gallantry awards. They are the Resistance awards, bestowed for service while fighting the occupiers, in some cases the only recognition a country could award a patriot who for years had served the Resistance. These patriots lived every day with the knowledge that torture and the death penalty would be the certain outcome if they were caught. The Dutch Resistance Cross could be considered more of a memorial than a decoration, having been awarded posthumously 95 times and only once to a living recipient, but who dares say its place should not be alongside such esteemed awards as the British VC or the American Medal of Honor.

I have not listed every country in this compilation, nor have I listed every award of those countries included, but rather made a selection to reflect nations and awards most likely to be encountered when studying military conflicts or civilian bravery. It is my sincere hope that Gallantry Medals and Decorations of the World might assist in awaking a broader interest in awards bestowed by all nations, and at the same time allow recognition of decorations and their classes. Many of the awards listed have been part of the world’s turbulent and sometimes cruel past. Also included are some new decorations that have arrived in the intervening years since the Second World War, often from young nations who will perhaps be the next to make their own mark on history, this time hopefully without wars.

Comparisons are difficult and maybe impossible to make between the merits of various international bravery awards, so many factors have to be taken into consideration, including the size of population and armed forces, the scale of involvement in hostilities, and not least the willingness of the nation to reward valour. When figures of issuance of awards have been detailed it is hoped they will assist in establishing an idea of that country’s reward system, provided these details are set against the size of the country or the conflicts involved. These figures may be of use to researchers to evaluate how available these decorations have been over the years. I hope the Orders, Decorations and Medals described and instances of bravery related will be judged on their merits, and not with a bias against old adversaries.

Presentations and Problems

The actual investiture or presentation of a decoration for gallantry has over the years taken many forms. In the Second World War Field-Marshal Montgomery made a point of carrying out immediate awards of gallantry in the field whenever possible. He fully understood the importance to the fighting men of holding these award ceremonies or parades and at the same time having a few words complimenting the recipient in front of their comrades-in-arms. He also insisted on seeing commendations and citations of gallantry whenever possible and approving and signing personally as many as he could. Other British recipients were not so honoured. A Sergeant Major in a famous Scottish regiment told me how he had received his Second World War gallantry award gained in action during the bloody crossing of the River Sangro in Italy. He was summoned to London and a lone officer briskly handed the award to him in a Whitehall corridor before the officer quickly scurried back into his well-furnished office. The Sergeant Major was so surprised and stunned by this cavalier action on the part of the Army that he still feels anger whenever he thinks about his award.

Perhaps even more upsetting was the official treatment received by fifteen American soldiers, veterans of one of the first heavy battles involving the newly arrived American forces in France. They were drawn up on parade in 1917 to receive their well-deserved Croix de Guerre for conspicuous gallantry in action. As soon as the French general had bestowed the awards together with traditional embrace and some emotional words of gratitude and had left the parade, the American officer present ordered the recipients to remove the French decorations of bravery and place them in their pockets, with the strict instructions ‘that is where they must stay’. America at this stage would not allow her troops to wear foreign awards. When the news of this parade and ridiculous instruction had reached America via The New York Times reporter, it caused uproar, and in no time this regulation was abolished.

In the Second World War, after a hard fought battle, General George Patton would spend hours talking to officers and men to arrive at the story behind a soldier’s or officer’s commended act of heroism. If, after interviewing many eye witnesses, he felt the officer who had submitted the citation had not achieved the right balance, either in the description of the act or the achievement, General Patton would insist in rewriting the citation himself to give the true balance as he understood it. Having read some of these ‘Patton’ citations, one could not be in any doubt about the ferocity of warfare.

Examples of decorations being awarded as soon as possible to show immediate regard and appreciation for extreme acts of bravery have prompted some decorations being required ahead of manufacturing schedule, with all the problems this can cause. American Forces fighting in France 1917, under General John J. Pershing, needed to have some intermediate awards of gallantry to bestow upon the fighting men, the only award available at that time being America’s supreme award, the Medal of Honor. Accordingly General Pershing urgently requested new decorations for gallantry, and in response President Woodrow Wilson authorized the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal in January 1918. One hundred first prototypes of the Distinguished Service Cross were rushed to France at the request of General Pershing for immediate bestowal to heroes; some so badly wounded that time was of the essence. While back in the United States the merits of the design were causing concern to the artistic feelings of some civilians, under strong pressure, the authorities had a new Cross struck with the intention of replacing the first 100 already awarded. This was indeed a problem to carry out as some of those awarded the first type were unfortunately no longer alive.

In 1960 the Republic of Ireland was requested by the United Nations to supply a force of troops to carry out peace-keeping duties in the Congo. On 8 November 1960, during this operation, a UN patrol of eleven Irish soldiers were ambushed at Niemba, where Trooper Anthony Browne gave his life in an effort to save a wounded comrade. The gallantry of this soldier was recognized by the posthumous award of the Military Medal for Gallantry with Distinction. The Irish Defence Force wished to present the award on the first anniversary of the ambush to Trooper Browne’s father Mr. John Browne, with the presentation to be performed by the Taoiseach Mr. Sean Lemass, TD, at a ceremony held in Collins Barracks on 8 November 1961. The die for the medal at that time had not yet been manufactured, and so to have the decoration ready for the anniversary the medal was hand-chased and crafted in soft silver, then coated in bronze ready for the historic ceremony that took place. The first award of the American Air Force Cross was required for presentation to the widow of Major Rudolf Anderson, he had been shot down while flying a surveillance mission over Cuba during the missile crisis of 1962. Unfortunately by late 1962 the Air Force Cross was not in production, so a special cross was hand-assembled for the presentation to the widow.

The Polish Partisan Army, having many armed units fighting the Germans in 1943, wished to bestow a new decoration to acknowledge the heroic acts performed by its partisan commanders and men. The Grünwald Cross was conceived to be awarded in three classes, to manufacture these awards under conditions prevailing during the occupation proved a major problem. A decision was taken to bestow simple strips of ribbon; these could be awarded immediately, and the classes were identified by bestowing the ribbon in graded widths: 1st class three cm, 2nd class two cm and 3rd class one and a half cm. When the decoration was eventually manufactured, the ribbon used for 2nd and 3rd class was kept at the same width.

Bravery and discipline on board the Birkenhead

Bravery and heroic gallantry have not always been rewarded. A classic instance of renowned bravery took place on the night of 26 February 1852, when Her Majesty’s Troopship Birkenhead taking reinforcements to the Kaffir Wars in South Africa, struck rocks and was wrecked off Danger Point, Cape of Good Hope. The iron paddle steamer Birkenhead was carrying 479 soldiers, 139 crew, and 7 women and 13 children. The ship had struck uncharted rocks and started to sink in the shark infested waters. The order was given to get the women and children off first, experienced seamen were chosen to man the small cutter, and with care the women and children were placed on board. The other boats were impossible to launch as the tackle was rotten, but eventually two boats got away. On deck the officers and men were standing in orderly lines under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Seton of the 74th Highlanders. As the situation became desperate, Mr. R. Salmond, the Master of the vessel, gave the order ‘Save yourselves, those who can swim, jump overboard and make for the boats, it’s your only hope.’ Lieutenant-Colonel Seton immediately realized the danger and he implored the men to remain where they were, calling out ‘You will swamp the cutter containing the women and children, I ask you to stand fast’. Two officers, Captain Edward Wright and Lieutenant Girardot, then stood forward and asked the men to remain with them. To their everlasting honour the men obeyed their officers and stood fast in ranks on that sinking ship. The cutter with the women and children reached safety without loss. That night 445 souls were lost, including the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Seton and the Master Mr. Salmond. This act of selfless gallantry has become known among seafarers as the ‘Birkenhead Drill’. No gallantry medals were available in 1852 to reward this mass act of heroism, although one officer, Captain Edward Wright of the 91st Regiment, received a Distinguished Service pension of £100 per annum approved by the Duke of Wellington. A memorial stands at Danger Point, South Africa, in memory of the brave men whose sacrifice made sure that women and children on the stricken Birkenhead were saved. The last line on the bronze plaque reads: EVERY WOMAN & CHILD WAS SAVED.

Heroes and their subsequent treatment

It is interesting to note how the hero fares in the years after he has been the recipient of his country’s top honours and awards. I have found the usual course of events prove they are simply ‘yesterday’s heroes’ and soon forgotten. Of course there are exceptions, the recipients of some senior gallantry decorations throughout the World have over the years received a pension from the State, linked directly to their award. The recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross receive a tax free annuity of £1,300 irrespective of need or other conditions.

The holders of bravery decorations of the former Soviet Union, received a pass book with their award, this entitles him or her to special consideration from the State. These entitlements include a gallantry pension, exemption from property tax on housing, a reduction of up to 50% on any rent paid. State pensions were automatically paid earlier, the years required being shortened by one third. Free travel on local transport for life, a return journey 1st class to anywhere in the USSR by land, sea, river or air, once a year. If the recipient left a widow with children under 18 years, the privileges were transferred to them. Alas since the end of the Soviet system, the Russian veterans have been deprived of most of the privileges once promised for life.

The recipients of the Japanese Order of the Golden Kite, received an annuity with the award, the sum paid was linked directly to the grade bestowed. The 1st grade received ten times the annuity paid to the 7th grade. During the Second World War, German recipients of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross were to be considered for the bestowal of estates in occupied Europe as an additional reward for their service, once the war was over.

Some countries would seem to have an overwhelming abundance of awards for gallantry and war merit, even nations less known for their involvement in full scale hostilities have developed a large range of gallantry decorations to cope with the possibilities of war. So it comes as a surprise to find one European country that specially forbids its armed forces to accept or wear awards of any kind. Switzerland does not have an honours system and forbids the bestowal of Orders, Decorations or Awards of any kind. To protect Swiss neutrality citizens are forbidden by law to accept honours of any description from other nations. The Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation, Article 12 states: Members of the federal authorities, federal, civil and military officials and federal representatives or commissioners, as well as members of cantonal governments or legislative assemblies, may not accept pensions, allowances, titles, gifts or decorations from foreign governments. Any infringement of this prohibition shall entail the loss of mandate or office. Whoever is in possession of such pension, title or decoration may not be elected or appointed member of a federal authority, civil or military official of the Confederation, federal representative or commissioner or member of a cantonal government or legislative assembly unless before assuming the mandate or office he expressly renounces the benefit of the pension or title or has returned the decoration.

In the Swiss army, no decorations may be worn and no titles conferred by foreign governments may be assumed. All officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers are forbidden to accept such distinctions.

Appreciation and collecting

Collecting gallantry awards has so much to offer those who have an interest in human endeavours, history and the artistic achievements of the designers. The beauty of some Orders reflects the highest standard of the jeweller’s craft and many of the old European states produced orders and decorations that were truly magnificent. The high quality of design found in the Orders of the Kingdom of Bulgaria owe their design and beauty to Prince Ferdinand I. He was an ardent collector of jewellery, and personally designed The Order of Civil Merit and The Order of Military Merit. For their manufacture Prince Ferdinand I. selected a most competent Court Jeweller, Johann Schwerdtner of Vienna, and it is this unique combination of design and jeweller’s craft that produced these Bulgarian masterpieces. Perhaps the best known Court Jeweller of all time was Carl Faberge who made fantasy pieces for the Russian Imperial family. Although his Easter eggs and miniature works of art are best known he also produced some special orders and insignia.

The ribbons used to suspend gallantry decorations are in themselves interesting, the design and colours often reflect a special meaning or association. In the case of the British Military Cross the design came about because of a helpful suggestion from Queen Mary when the King in company with Lord Kitchener had trouble in finding a pattern not already in use; it was her suggestion that the King approved.

The French Order of Liberation founded in London by General de Gaulle, was originally suspended from a green and black diagonally striped ribbon, after liberation and the return to France the ribbon was changed to a green and black vertical stripe design, this to ease local production techniques, snippets of the original ribbon are now much sort after by ribbon collectors. In the case of the Polish Grünwald Cross the ribbon in the early days of 1943, was the only tangible token of this gallantry decoration available to the partisan recipient, it was impossible at that time to manufacture the actual cross under the occupation conditions and the ribbon alone was the award.

A collection of gallantry awards can be started for a modest sum. A good idea is to contact one of the auction houses and arrange for a subscription to their Orders and Decorations sales catalogues. This will provide excellent information; the catalogues often illustrate items offered for sale and give a guide to their value.

Addresses of the leading Orders & Decorations sale experts:

Dix Noonan Webb, 1 Old Bond Street, London W1X 3TD.

Spink, 69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4ET.

Sotheby’s, 34–35 New Bond Street, London W1A 2AA.

Glendining’s, 101 New Bond Street, London W1Y 9LG.

ARGENTINA

Order of May

Instituted in May 1946 under the Juan Peron regime in six classes, in December 1957 under the new Government the Order was replaced with a completely new design. Awarded for outstanding civil or military merit. Can be awarded to foreigners.

Order of May, 1946 type. Obverse a gold Ray cross, in the arms multi rays form a background square, the central medallion in gold depicts a young man holding the national flag, above are the words AL MERITO.

Order of May, 1946 type

Order of May, 1957 type. Obverse a thirteen pointed star in white enamel set upon a larger multi-rayed gold plaque, the central gold medallion shows a female head facing left, the encompassing circlet in blue enamel carries the words AL MERITO. The Badge of the Order and the Breast Star of the Order are identical in design, with the exception the badge has a suspender attachment to the top star point. Ribbon military: Dark blue with white edge stripes. Ribbon civil: Red with white edge stripes.

Order of May, 1957 type

Order of San Martin

Instituted August 1943 and revised December 1957. Awarded in six classes for exceptional civil or military merit. Can be awarded to foreigners.

Order of San Martin for Military Merit with sword

Order of San Martin badge of the Order a multi rayed star of 16 main points. Obverse medallion portrays the head and shoulders of General San Martin, the surrounding blue enamelled circlet proclaims him the hero of Argentine liberation with the motto LIBERTADOR SAN MARTIN. Reverse the Coat of Arms of Argentina. Suspension from a prominent gold open wreath of laurel, when awarded for military merit a sword is added to the wreath. Ribbon: Light blue with white edge stripes. The classes consist of: Collar of the Order, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. The Breast Star is identical to the obverse of the Badge of the Order but larger and without the suspension wreath.

Order of Military Merit

Awarded in five classes for outstanding military merit and achievement. Can be awarded to foreigners who by their military accomplishments are outstanding.

Order of Military Merit the badge of the Order an eight-pointed white enamelled cross with five gold rays in each angle. Obverse on the central oval medallion a trophy of arms appears surmounted by a gold tower all within a wreath of laurel. Reverse enamelled medallion has the Coat of Arms of Argentina surrounded by the raised legend REPUBLICA ARGENTINA AL MERITO MILITAR. Suspension is from a bar between the top points of the cross. Ribbon: Dark blue with white edge stripes. The five classes consist of: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight. The white enamelled Breast Star is edged in gold and identical to the obverse of the badge of the Order but with a pin back fixing.

Order of Military Merit

Order of Naval Merit

Awarded in five classes for outstanding naval merit. Can be awarded to foreigners.

Order of Naval Merit

Order of Naval Merit an eight-pointed cross ending in ball finials, with flame rays between the four arms of the cross. Obverse an oval medallion holding an anchor overlaid with a sun emblem, the surrounding circlet reads AL MERITO NAVAL Reverse the enamelled Coat of Arms of Argentina encircled with REPUBLICA ARGENTINA MARINA DE GUERRA. Suspension by ring from the top cross arm. Ribbon: Dark blue with central white stripe and edged in white. The classes consist of: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight.

The Breast Star is identical to the badge of the Order with the exception of the medallion circlet legend, this expanded wording reads: GRAN CRUZ AL MIRANTE BROWN AL MERITO NAVAL in gold lettering.

The ‘BROWN’ mentioned in the legend was William Brown an Irishman who settled in South America in 1810. Through his organization the Argentine Navy was formed into a formidable fighting force. He became the first Admiral in command of the newly fledged Argentine Navy, and led them to the first important naval victory over the Spanish during the struggle for independence in 1816.

Order of Aeronautical Merit

Awarded in five classes to