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The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise

The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (Орден князя Ярослава Мудрого) is awarded for distinguished services to the state and people of Ukraine.

The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (Орден князя Ярослава Мудрого) is awarded for distinguished services to the state and people of Ukraine in the field of state building, strengthening the international prestige of Ukraine, development of economy, science, education, culture, art, health care, for outstanding charitable, humanistic and public activities. The motto of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise – “Wisdom, honor, glory.“

The Order was instituted on 23 August 1995 by the Ukrainian President, Leonid Kuchma. It is awarded in five classes (I, II, III, IV and V degree). 

The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise can be awarded to citizens of Ukraine, foreign citizens, and stateless persons. Those awarded the Order of any degree and is called a Knight of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise.

Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise Design

The insignia of the order was designed by sculptor and professor of the National Academy Of Fine Arts And Architecture, Valeriy Shvetsov.

The Order has a blue ribbon with a yellow stripe on each edge.The badge of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise I degree is worn on the chain of the Order, one star of the Order – on the left side of the chest, the other – on the ribbon over the right shoulder below the bow. The insignia of the Order of the I degree is made of silver and is an equilateral cross with rounded ends, topped with miniature crosses. 

The star of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise is made of silver and has the shape of an octagonal convex star with gilded and silver diverging rays.

The Order of Liberty (Ukraine)

The Order of Liberty (орден Свободи) was instituted on April 10, 2008 to honour merits of citizens for strengthening the Sovereignty and Independence of Ukraine, as well as for consolidating Ukrainian society, developing Democracy, advancing socio-economic and political reforms, and advocating the Constitutional Rights and Liberties of Man and Citizen.

The Order was instituted by President Yushchenko by decree № 1177/2005. It can be given to citizens of Ukraine, foreigners and stateless persons may be awarded the Order of Freedom.

Awarding the Order of Freedom may be carried out posthumously. Those awarded the Order of Freedom are called a Knight of the Order of Freedom.

The Order of Liberty Medal Design

 The Commission on State Awards and Heraldry was instructed to hold an all-Ukrainian competition to develop designs for the Order of Freedom. On May 20, 2008, Decree of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko № 460/2008 approved the Statute of the Order, which includes a description of the Order’s badge.

The sign of the Order of Freedom is made of gilded silver and has the shape of an equilateral cross with diverging sides. The sides are covered with white enamel and decorated with four rectangular Swarovski crystals. In the centre of the cross is a round blue enamel medallion with a gold image of the Sign of the Princely State of Vladimir the Great framed by a laurel wreath. The sides of the corners of the cross are framed by stylized floral ornaments. The reverse side of the sign of the order is flat with the engraved number of the sign.

The ribbon is white silk moire with longitudinal stripes – in the middle of wide blue and yellow, bordered on the edges by narrow stripes of yellow and blue, respectively, and on the edges of the ribbon by narrow strips of orange. 

A person awarded the Order of Freedom is awarded a badge of the order and an order book of the established pattern.

The Hero of Ukraine Medal

The Hero of Ukraine Medal (Герой України) is the highest national title conferred upon an individual citizen by the President of Ukraine.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Year of Institution: 26 November 1998
  • Country: Ukraine

The Hero of Ukraine Medal (Герой України) is the highest national title conferred upon an individual citizen by the President of Ukraine. The award was created in 1998 by President Leonid Kuchma.

The title is granted to two different order recipients: the civilian Order of the State, and the military Order of the Gold Star. These are the highest national award to citizens for accomplishing a remarkable work achievement and for accomplishing a remarkable heroic act.

The “Hero of Ukraine” medal can be traced to the Soviet medals Hero of the Soviet Union (established 16 April 1934) and the Hero of Socialist Labor (established 27 December 1938), which were the highest decorations in the Soviet Union. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, similar awards were created in the resulting independent countries, including Ukraine

The Hero of Ukraine Medal Design

Two medals were created by Ukrainian law to differentiate between the titles. Both medals have a ribbon measuring 45 mm (1.8 in) long and 28 mm (1.1 in) wide, divided equally into two bands (a blue band on the left and a yellow band on the right, matching the colors of the Ukrainian flag). 

The Order of State and Order of Gold Star are as follows:

Order of Gold Star - Ukrainian Medals
Ukrainian Medals - Order of State

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross is the second highest departmental award of the NYPD and awarded for heroism.

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross is the second highest departmental award of the NYPD. It was established in 14 Augusta, 1934, and awarded to police officers who, “having received Honorable Mention awards, successfully and intelligently perform an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life”.

The Police Combat Cross was first awarded July 19, 1934, to six members of the police department for heroic service in the previous year. More than two hundred members of the New York Police Department have been awarded the Police Combat Cross.

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross Design

The medal is a gold Maltese Cross with the seal of New York City set in the center obverse and surrounded by the inscription, “For Valor, Police“. The name of the holder and the year of awarding are engraved on the reverse.

The cross is suspended by a ring from green silk ribbon. If the Combat Cross is awarded a second time, a gold palm leaf is set in the center of the ribbon.

More New York City Police Department Medals

NYPD medals are awards presented by the New York City Police Department to recognize and honor the bravery, service, and exceptional achievements of its officers. These medals serve as symbols of honor and pride within the NYPD, highlighting the commitment and sacrifice of its members in safeguarding the communities they serve. 

See all NYPD Medals and Awards >

The New York City Police Department Medal of Valor

The New York City Police Department Medal of Valor is the department’s third highest medal, conferred for acts of outstanding bravery.

The New York City Police Department Medal of Valor is the department’s third highest medal, conferred for acts of outstanding personal bravery intelligently performed in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard to life under circumstances evincing a disregard of personal consequences.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYPD Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly awarded the first 13 Medals for Valor at the 2006 Medal Day Ceremony in New York.

The NYPD Medal of Valor Design

The obverse of the medal bears the image of the Police Memorial Statue, representing the years of selfless service that New York City police officers have given to its citizens. Surrounding the center is a Mediterranean evergreen laurel leaves, representing honor and glory dating back to ancient Rome. The outer background and ribbon are police blue. The words “For Valor, Police Department City of New York” are written on the face of the medal in gold lettering. The two gold stars signify the level of importance associated with this recognition. The reverse bears the inscription of the recipient’s name.

The breast bar is a solid blue bar.

More New York City Police Department Medals

NYPD medals are awards presented by the New York City Police Department to recognize and honor the bravery, service, and exceptional achievements of its officers. These medals serve as symbols of honor and pride within the NYPD, highlighting the commitment and sacrifice of its members in safeguarding the communities they serve. 

See all NYPD Medals and Awards >

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor is the highest law enforcement medal of the NYPD and awarded for extraordinary bravery.

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor is the highest law enforcement medal of the NYCPD and awarded for individual acts of extraordinary bravery performed in the line of duty at extreme risk and danger to life.

The NYPD Medal of Honor was created on October 23, 1973, although there are some earlier versions from as early as 1871. Back then, the decoration was known by a variety of names such as the “Police Silver Medal” and “Gold Medal of Valor“. These were first awarded on August 17, 1871 to Patrolman Bernard Tull of the 19th Precinct who arrested a burglar after being shot at. 

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor was created in 1912 and was awarded until 1972, when it was redesigned.

The NYPD Medal of Honor Design

The initial medals were silver or gold and had the shape of the then shield of the department. On the obverse were the arms of the City of New York, the names of the police commissioners, and the words “Municipal Police”. On the reverse was an inscription describing the act for which the medal was awarded.

Later, the NYPD medal was changed to a silver medal in the shape of a police shield. On the obverse is the figure of a draped female placing a wreath upon the head of a police officer. On the reverse is an inscription of the act of bravery and the names of the city’s commissioners.

The medal hangs from a ring and suspender on which the letters “NY” are interlocked and attached to a top bar that is inscribed with the word “valor”.

The stars on the green ribbon commemorate the city’s original 12 police constables, who began to patrol in the 1700s.

More New York City Police Department Medals

NYPD medals are awards presented by the New York City Police Department to recognize and honor the bravery, service, and exceptional achievements of its officers. These medals serve as symbols of honor and pride within the NYPD, highlighting the commitment and sacrifice of its members in safeguarding the communities they serve. 

See all NYPD Medals and Awards >

The Vishisht Seva Medal

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 26 January 1960
  • Country: India

The Vishisht Seva Medal is a decoration of the Indian armed forces awarded for “distinguished service of a high order” to all ranks of the Indian Armed forces. The award carries with it the right to use “VSM” as post-nominal letters.

The medal was originally established as the “Vishisht Seva Medal, Class III” on 26 January 1960. It may be granted posthumously.

The Vishisht Seva Design

The medal is circular, truck in silver, and measures 35 mm in diameter. It’s fitted to a plain horizontal bar with standard fittings.

The obverse bears the State Emblem. On its reverse, it has a five pointed star.

The ribbon is golden color with three blue vertical stripes in the center.

The Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 26 January 1960
  • Country: India

The Ati Vishisht Seva Medal is a military award of India for distinguished service of an exceptional order to all ranks of the armed forces. It was established in 1960 and is a peacetime equivalent of Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal.

The Ati Vishisht Seva Medal was originally instituted as the “Vishisht Seva Medal, Class II” on 26 January 1960.

The Ati Vishisht Seva Design

The medal is struck in silver gilt, circular and measures 35 mm in diameter. 

The obverse bears the Lion Capital. On its reverse, it has a five pointed star.

The ribbon is golden color with two blue vertical stripes.

The Param Vishisht Seva Medal

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 26 January 1960
  • Country: India

The Param Vishisht Seva Medal is a military award of India constituted in 1960 and awarded in recognition to exceptional peace-time service of the most exceptional order. The medal was originally instituted as the “Vishisht Seva Medal, Class I” on 26 January 1960. 

 All ranks of the Indian Armed Forces including Territorial Army, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces, Nursing officers and other members of the Nursing services and other lawfully constituted Armed Forces are eligible for the award. The medal may be awarded posthumously.

The Param Vishisht Seva Design

The medal is struck in gold gilt, round, and measures 35 mm in diameter. It’s fitted to a plain horizontal bar with standard fittings.

The obverse bears the State Emblem. On its reverse, it has a five pointed star.

The ribbon is golden color with one blue vertical stripe in the center, which divides it into two equal parts. If a recipient of the medal is subsequently awarded the medal again, every such further award shall be recognized by a bar to be attached to the riband by which the medal is suspended. 

The Yudh Seva Medal

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 26 June 1980
  • Country: India

The Yudh Seva Medal is one of India’s military decorations for distinguished service during wartime. It is awarded for a high degree of distinguished service in an operational context, such as times of war, conflict, or hostilities.

The medal may be awarded posthumously.

The Yudh Seva Design

The medal is circular and measures 35 mm in diameter. It’s fitted to a plain horizontal bar with standard fittings.

The obverse bears the State Emblem and the inscription “YUDH SEVA MEDAL“. On its reverse, it has a five pointed star.

The ribbon is golden color with three red vertical stripes in the center.