The Military Cross is a military decoration

Military decoration

A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....

 awarded to soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces

Polish Armed Forces

Siły Zbrojne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej are the national defense forces of Poland...

, as well as civilians for meritorious actions against terrorism, or in peacekeeping and stabilization missions. It is the non-warlike equivalent of the Cross of Valour.

History

The Military Cross was established by the Law of 14 June 2007, which amended the Act of 16 October 1992, concerning medals and decorations. This law saw the creation of the Military Cross along with the Military Cross of Merit, Military Cross of Merit with Swords, Navy Cross of of Merit, Navy Cross of of Merit with Swords, Air Force Cross of Merit, Air Force Cross of Merit with Swords, and the Medal for Long Service. The change was implemented on October 9, 2007. According to the previously mentioned law, "The Military Cross has the distinction of being the reward for acts of bravery and courage made ​​during operations against acts of terrorism in the country, or during use of the Polish Armed Forces

Polish Armed Forces

Siły Zbrojne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej are the national defense forces of Poland...

 outside the country in time of peace." In the order of precedence of Polish medals it ranks behind the Cross of Valor and the Cross of Merit for Bravery.

Eligibility

The Military Cross is an award presented by the President of Poland, on his own initiative or at the request of the Minister of Defence or the Minister of Internal Affairs. The president also has the right to revoke the award. The cross is to be awarded no later than three years after the end of combat operations, and may be awarded to any single person up to four times. The Military Cross may be awarded to soldiers, policemen, officers of the Internal Security Agency

Agencja Bezpieczenstwa Wewnetrznego

The Agencja Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego is the Polish government counterintelligence state agency tasked with the collecting of domestic intelligence etc. Foreign operations counterpart is Agencja Wywiadu.-See also:...

, Intelligence Agency

Agencja Wywiadu

Agencja Wywiadu or AW is a Polish intelligence agency, tasked with the gathering of public and secret information abroad for the Republic of Poland....

, Military Intelligence Service, the Military Counterintelligence Service, the Central Anticorruption Bureau

Central Anticorruption Bureau

The Central Anticorruption Bureau is a division of the Polish government, reporting to the Prime Minister of Poland, responsible for addressing corruption in Poland. Located in Warsaw, the CBA has been in operation since 24 July 2006, having been activated by the June 2006 Central Anticorruption...

, the Border Guard

Border Guard (Poland)

Border Guard is a Polish state security agency tasked with patrol of the Polish border. It existed in the Second Polish Republic from 1928 to 1939 and was recreated in Third Polish Republic in 1990.- 1928-1939 :...

, the Government Protection Bureau, and the State Fire Service.

Military Cross Ribbon Bars
1st award	2nd award	3rd award	4th award