Polish military awards and decorations
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of medals, awards and decorations in use in Poland. Most of them are awarded by the Polish Army, but some of them are civilian decorations that may be worn by the military personnel.
Most of these decorations ceased to be awarded; some were awarded before the World War II
only, and some in the People's Republic of Poland
only; order of some of them was changed by law. The order of precedence
was last reformed in 2007. The order of precedence is: 6 orders (order) in specific order of precedence (see table below); other orders in order they were received; 12 crosses (krzyż), 3 medals (medal) and 5 stars (gwiazda) in specific order of precedence; other crosses and awards in order they were received.
Most of these decorations ceased to be awarded; some were awarded before the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
only, and some in the People's Republic of Poland
People's Republic of Poland
The People's Republic of Poland was the official name of Poland from 1952 to 1990. Although the Soviet Union took control of the country immediately after the liberation from Nazi Germany in 1944, the name of the state was not changed until eight years later...
only; order of some of them was changed by law. The order of precedence
Order of precedence
An order of precedence is a sequential hierarchy of nominal importance of items. Most often it is used in the context of people by many organizations and governments...
was last reformed in 2007. The order of precedence is: 6 orders (order) in specific order of precedence (see table below); other orders in order they were received; 12 crosses (krzyż), 3 medals (medal) and 5 stars (gwiazda) in specific order of precedence; other crosses and awards in order they were received.
Currently recognized state awards subject to order of precedence
| Award | I class | II class | III class | IV class | V class | Description | Established in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order of the White Eagle Order Orła Białego |
Poland's highest decoration awarded to both civilians and the military for their merits. | 1705, reactivated in 1921, reinstated in 1992 | |||||
| Virtuti Militari Virtuti Militari The Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war... |
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Poland's highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy | 1792, reactivated in 1919 | |
| Order of Polonia Restituta Order Odrodzenia Polski Order of Poland Reborn |
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Awarded to both civilians and the military for their merits. | 1921 |
| Order of Military Cross Order Krzyża Wojskowego |
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Awarded to military personnel for actions in peacetime. | 2006 | ||
| Order of the Cross of Independence Order of the Cross of Independence The Order of the Cross of Independence was established on 5 August 2010, to honor those who between the years of 1939-1956 voluntarily served with merit in defending the independence of the Polish State. At its establishment is was declared to be a continuation of Cross of Independence which was... Order Krzyża Niepodległości |
Awarded for struggle for independence in 1939-1956 period. | 2010 | |||||
| Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej |
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Awarded to civilians and foreigners for contributing to good foreign relations. | 1974 |
| Other orders in the order they were received. | |||||||
| Cross of Valour Krzyż Walecznych |
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Polish military decoration awarded to a person who "has demonstrated deeds of valor and courage on the battlefield." | 1920 | ||||
| Military Cross Military Cross (Poland) The Military Cross is a military decoration awarded to soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, as well as civilians for meritorious actions against terrorism, or in peacekeeping and stabilization missions... Krzyż Wojskowy |
Combat decoration, conferred to a military, irrespective of rank and service for combat valor agains an act of terror in the territory of Poland or while on a mission of the Armed Forces overseas. | 2007 | |||||
| Cross of Merit for Bravery Krzyż Zasługi za Dzielność |
For recognition of military or police personnel. | 1928 | |||||
| Gold Cross of Merit with Swords Złoty Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. | 1942 | |||||
| Cross of Freedom and Solidarity Krzyż Wolności i Solidarności |
Awarded to members of anti-communist opposition movement in PRL People's Republic of Poland The People's Republic of Poland was the official name of Poland from 1952 to 1990. Although the Soviet Union took control of the country immediately after the liberation from Nazi Germany in 1944, the name of the state was not changed until eight years later... . |
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| Gold Cross of Merit Złoty Krzyż Zasługi |
Civil state award established to recognize services to the state. | 1923 | |||||
| Silver Cross of Merit with Swords Srebrny Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. | 1942 | |||||
| Silver Cross of Merit Srebrny Krzyż Zasługi |
Civil state award established to recognize services to the state. | 1923 | |||||
| Bronze Cross of Merit with Swords Brązowy Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. | 1942 | |||||
| Bronze Cross of Merit Brązowy Krzyż Zasługi |
Civil state award established to recognize services to the state. | 1923 | |||||
| Military Cross of Merit with Swords Air Force Cross of Merit with Swords Navy Cross of Merit with Swords Wojskowy Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami Lotniczy Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami Morski Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
Conferred for meritorious service in combat operations against acts of terrorism at home or during military missions overseas. | 2007 | |||||
| Military Cross of Merit Air Force Cross of Merit Navy Cross of Merit Wojskowy Krzyż Zasługi Lotniczy Krzyż Zasługi Morski Krzyż Zasługi |
Bestowed for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service. | 2007 | |||||
| Medal for Sacrifice and Courage Medal for Sacrifice and Courage The Medal for Sacrifice and Courage is a Polish medal established on February 17, 1960. It is awarded to those who, with disregard for their own life, save people from drowning, aid the victims of natural disasters, fires, explosions, or other unfortunate circumstances, or protect the property of... Medal za Ofiarność i Odwagę |
Civil award for risking one's life to save another's. | 1960 | |||||
| Medal for Long Service Medal za Długoletnią Służbę |
Conferred for long service in the armed forces, police, fire service, education, justice, central or local administration; awarded for 30, 20 and 10 years of service respectively | 1938, reactivated in 2007 | |||||
| Medal for Long Marital Life Medal for Long Marital Life The Medal for Long Marital Life is Polish medal established on February 17, 1960. It is awarded to couples who have been married for at least 50 years.... Medal Za Długoletnie Pożycie Małżeńskie |
For a marriage lasting 50 years or more. | 1960 | |||||
| Stars Polish campaign stars Polish campaign stars were established on 14 June 2007 to recognize military and civilian participants of overseas missions since 2002. Polish personnel must have been present for at least one day. Foreigners may be presented with a campaign star for collaborating with Polish forces during the... Gwiazdy |
Afghanistan Star (for service in Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world... ; since 2002) Iraq Star (for service in Iraq Iraq Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert.... ; 2003-2008) Chad Star (for service in EUFOR Tchad/RCA EUFOR Tchad/RCA European Union Force Chad/CAR, also EUFOR Tchad/RCA after the French, was the European Union mission in Chad and the Central African Republic , authorized in late 2007. EUFOR Chad/CAR was authorized under the same United Nations Security Council resolution that mandated MINURCAT, a UN force tasked... and MINURCAT United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad The United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad was a United Nations peacekeeping mission established by the United Nations Security Council on September 25, 2007 to provide a multidimensional presence of up to 350 police and military personnel to eastern Chad and north-eastern... ; 2008-2009) Congo Star (for service in EUFOR RD Congo EUFOR RD Congo EUFOR RD Congo was a short European Union deployment in 2006 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 25 April 2006, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1671 , authorising the temporary deployment of a European Union force to support the United Nations Mission in the... ; 2006) Mediterranean Sea Star (for service in Active Endeavour Operation Active Endeavour Operation Active Endeavour is a maritime operation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It operates in the Mediterranean Sea and is designed to prevent the movement of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction. It has also collateral benefits in enhanced security of shipping in general... ; since 2005) |
2008 (2) 2010 (3) |
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| Other crosses and awards in the order they were received. | |||||||
Ministerial awards
| Award | I class | II class | III class | Description | Established in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland The Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland is a Polish military decoration, awarded for long service and excellent work in the army. The medal was first established on 26 May 1951, although the detailed rules and grades were revised 1991 and 1995... Medal Siły Zbrojne w Służbie Ojczyzny |
For Polish military personnel awarded for long service in the Polish armed forces | 1951. Ministry of Defence award since 2008. | |||
| Medal of Merit for National Defence Medal of Merit for National Defence The Medal of Merit for National Defence is a decoration of the Ministry of National Defence of Poland. Established 21 April 1966 and revised in 1991, the medal recognizes meritorious service which strengthens the military of the Republic of Poland. Members of the Polish military and civilian... Medal Za Zaslugi dla Obronnosci Kraju |
Presented to Polish military personnel and civilian employees for meritorious activities to strengthen military power of the country. | 1966 and revised 1991 | |||
| Polish Army Medal Polish Army Medal The Polish Army Medal was established by Poland on 3 September 1999 to recognize service to the Polish Army by foreign civilians and military personnel. The medal is presented in three grades Gold, Silver, and Bronze by the Polish Minister of National Defence... Medal Wojska Polskiego |
Services to the Polish armed forces by foreign civilian and military personnel | 1999 | |||
| Medal of Merit for Police Medal za Zasługi dla Policji |
For outstanding achievements | 2001 | |||
| Medal of Merit for the Border Guard Medal za Zasługi dla Straży Granicznej |
2004 | ||||
| Medal of the National Education Commission Medal Komisji Edukacji Narodowej |
Outstanding contribution to education | 1956 | |||
| Medal for Merit to Culture Medal for Merit to Culture The Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis or Gloria Artis Medal, is a decoration in Arts awarded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland to persons and organizations for distinguished contributions to, or protection of the Polish culture and the people's... Medal Zasłużony Kulturze Gloria Artis |
Distinguished contributions to the Polish culture and heritage. | 2006 | |||
| Pro Memoria Medal Medal Pro Memoria |
For outstanding contributions in perpetuating the memory of the people and deeds in the struggle for Polish independence during World War II | 2005 | |||
| Guardian Medal of the Places of National Remembrance Medal Opiekuna Miejsc Pamięci Narodowej |
Special merits in promoting the idea of national memory and the distinctive activities of the commemoration of struggle and martyrdom of the Polish Nation | 1976 |
Former awards
| Award | I class | II class | III class | Description | Established in | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order Budowniczych Polski Ludowej Order of the Builders of People's Poland People's Republic of Poland The People's Republic of Poland was the official name of Poland from 1952 to 1990. Although the Soviet Union took control of the country immediately after the liberation from Nazi Germany in 1944, the name of the state was not changed until eight years later... |
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Highest civil decoration of the People's Republic of Poland. | 1949 | |||
| Order Krzyża Grunwaldu Order of Grunwald Grunwald Grunwald may refer to:* Battle of Grunwald, a decisive battle fought in 1410 in what is now northern Poland* Grunwald, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, a village near the site of the battle* Gmina Grunwald, a municipality containing the village of Grunwald... Cross |
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Awarded by the Gwardia Ludowa Gwardia Ludowa Gwardia Ludowa or GL was a communist armed organisation in Poland, organised by the Soviet created Polish Workers Party. It was the largest military organization which refused to join the structures of the Polish Underground State. It was created in 1942 and in 1944 it was incorporated by the... for acts of heroism in armed combat with the German occupiers for fighting for freedom and Polish Independence. |
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| Krzyż Niepodległości Cross of Independence |
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| Medal Wojska za Wojnę 1939-45 Military Medal for the War of 1939-45 |
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| Medal Lotniczy za Wojnę 1939-45 Air Forces Medal for the War of 1939-45 |
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| Medal Morski za Wojnę 1939-45 Polish Navy Medal for the War of 1939-45 |
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| Medal Morski PMH za Wojnę 1939-45 Polish Merchant Navy Medal for the War of 1939-45 |
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| Krzyż Partyzancki Krzyz Partyzancki The Partisan Cross was a Polish military decoration, awarded to World War II partisans... Partisan Cross |
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| Krzyż Armii Krajowej Home Army Cross |
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| Śląska Wstęga Waleczności i Zasługi Silesian Ribbon of Valour and Merit |
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| Commemorative Medal for War of 1918-1921 | ||||||
| Krzyż Ochotniczy za Wojnę 1918-1921 Volunteer Cross for War 1918-1921 |
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| Krzyż Monte Cassino Cross of Monte Cassino Battle of Monte Cassino The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans... |
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| Zasłużonym na Polu Chwały For Merits in Field of Glory |
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| Za waszą wolność i naszą For our freedom and yours For our freedom and yours For our freedom and yours is one of the unofficial mottos of Poland. It is commonly associated with the times when Polish soldiers, exiled from the partitioned Poland, fought in various independence movements all over the world... |
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| Za Udział w Wojnie Obronnej 1939 For Defence War 1939 |
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| Za Udział w Walkach w Obronie Władzy Ludowej For Fighting in defence of People's Rule |
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| Śląski Krzyż Powstańczy Cross for Silesian Uprisings Silesian Uprisings The Silesian Uprisings were a series of three armed uprisings of the Poles and Polish Silesians of Upper Silesia, from 1919–1921, against German rule; the resistance hoped to break away from Germany in order to join the Second Polish Republic, which had been established in the wake of World War I... |
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| Wielkopolski Krzyż Powstańczy Cross for Great Poland Uprising Greater Poland Uprising (1918–1919) The Greater Poland Uprising of 1918–1919, or Wielkopolska Uprising of 1918–1919 or Posnanian War was a military insurrection of Poles in the Greater Poland region against Germany... |
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| Medal Za Warszawę 1939-1945 For Warsaw Warsaw Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most... 1939-1945 |
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| Medal za Odrę, Nysę i Bałtyk For Odra, Nysa and Baltic Baltic region The terms Baltic region, Baltic Rim countries, and Baltic Rim refer to slightly different combinations of countries in the general area surrounding the Baltic Sea.- Etymology :... |
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| Medal Zwycięstwa i Wolności For Victory and Freedom |
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| Cross of Military Merits of Central Lithuania Central Lithuania Central Lithuania may refer to:*Republic of Central Lithuania, a short-lived puppet state created in 1920 in the Vilnius Region*Geographical region of Lithuania, the central region in Lithuania around Kaunas, Kėdainiai, and Jonava... |
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| Za Lwów For Lwow |
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| Medal za Ratowanie Ginących Life Saving Medal |
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| Medal za Długoletnią Służbę For Long Service |
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| Medal Za Udział w Walkach o Berlin For Battle of Berlin Berlin Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union... |
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| Krzyż Waleczności Lithuanian-Belarusian Division of Gen. Bułak-Bałachowicz Stanislaw Bulak-Balachowicz Stanisław Bułak-Bałachowicz was a Belarusian-Polish general, veteran of World War I, Russian Civil War, Estonian War of Independence, Polish-Bolshevik War and the Invasion of Poland at the start of World War II.-Early life:... |
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| Krzyż Oświęcimski Krzyz Oswiecimski The Auschwitz Cross , instituted on 14 March 1985, was a Polish decoration awarded to honour inmates of Nazi German concentration camps, including but not limited to Auschwitz .... Auschwitz Cross |
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| Civil awards that can be worn on a military uniform without requiring the approval of one's superiors. | ||||||
| Krzyż harcerski Scouting Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego is the coeducational Polish Scouting organization recognized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It was founded in 1918 and currently is the largest Scouting organization in Poland... cross |
None miniature worn instead |
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See also
- Polish Army
- History of PolandHistory of PolandThe History of Poland is rooted in the arrival of the Slavs, who gave rise to permanent settlement and historic development on Polish lands. During the Piast dynasty Christianity was adopted in 966 and medieval monarchy established...
- List of military decorations
- Krzyż Powstania WarszawskiegoKrzyz Powstania WarszawskiegoThe Cross of the Warsaw Uprising is an informal award used by the Polish soldiers during the Polish-German fights for the city of Warsaw in 1944...
- Warsaw Cross of the UprisingWarsaw Cross of the UprisingThe Warsaw Cross of the Uprising was a Polish military decoration. It was established by law on July 3, 1981 in order to honor the participants of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. It was discontinued in 1999...
awarded 1981 to 1999 - Partisan Cross awarded 1945 to 1999