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Category: Post-WW2 Medals

The Order of Gabriela Silang

The Order of Gabriela Silang, established in 2003 and names after a national heroine, is an all-female order of the Philippines.

The Order of Gabriela Silang (or Orden ni Gabriela Silang in Filipino) stands as an exclusive all-female order within the Philippines, honoring the legacy of the esteemed Philippine national heroine, Gabriela Silang.

The distinction was named in honor of María Josefa Gabriela Cariño Silang , an 18th-century Filipino revolutionary and independence activist against Spanish colonizers, recognized as a national hero of the Philippines. Today, it is awarded to the spouses of heads of state or government, natives and foreigners.

This distinguished order comprises a single class, bestowed upon the spouses of heads of state and/or government, regardless of nationality, showcasing the significance of their contributions to society.

The Order of Gabriela Silang Design

Made of gold-plated silver, the order’s badge has the shape of an eight-rayed star with an inner medallion surrounded by stylized rays in the shape of rice leaves, on which the stylized letters “G” and “S” are placed. The inner medallion is enameled in white and the letters are gilded. 

The ribbon of the Order of Gabriela Silang is adorned with vibrant hues of red, accented by striking borders in yellow and blue, symbolizing courage, unity, and loyalty.

The Philippine Legion of Honor

The Philippine Legion of Honor was established in 1947 and is awarded to both civilians and members of the military, Filipino or foreign.

The Philippine Legion of Honor (or Lehiyong Pandangal ng Pilipinas in Filipino, Legión de Honor Filipina in Spanish) was established by President Manuel Roxas on July 3, 1947, through Philippine Army Circular No. 60.

Modeled after the Legion of Merit of the United States of America, it was designed to recognize both civilians and military personnel, whether Filipino or foreign. 

Presently, the Philippine Legion of Honor is awarded to individuals who have rendered valuable and meritorious service pertaining to the military affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. As such, it holds the distinction of being the principal order of military merit in the country.

To underscore the significance of civil service in military matters, as well as its role in upholding the honor of the Republic of the Philippines and contributing to nation-building, the Philippine Legion of Honor is bestowed on the anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence

The Philippine Legion of Honor Classes

Initially, mirroring the structure of the U.S. Legion of Merit, the Philippine Legion of Honor comprised four classes, referred to as degrees, with Legionnaire representing the basic rank and Chief Commander being the highest. Following the overhaul of the Philippine system of orders and decorations in 2003, the classes of the Philippine Legion of Honor were rebranded as “ranks” instead of “degrees,” and the ranks were expanded.

Today, the civilian segment ranks are:

  • Chief Commander (CCLH) (Punong Komandante) – Granted to a civilian for a lifetime of distinguished service in public affairs not otherwise qualifying for the Quezon Service Cross, or to a former or incumbent head of state and/or government.

  • Grand Commander (GCLH) (Marangal na Komandante) – Bestowed upon a civilian for extraordinary acts of service that significantly impact the military sphere of the Philippines, or upon individuals such as crown princes, Vice Presidents, Senate Presidents, Speakers of the House, Chief Justices, or their equivalents in other nations, as well as foreign ministers or officials of cabinet rank, Ambassadors, Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, or others of similar rank, for their lifelong contributions to the military field.

  • Grand Officer (GOLH) (Marangal na Pinuno) – Awarded to a civilian for acts of exemplary merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines, or to individuals holding positions such as chargé d’affaires, Ministers, Minister Counselors, Consul Generals, Executive Directors, or those of comparable rank.

  • Commander (CLH) (Komandante) – Conferred upon a civilian for conspicuous acts of merit that serve the interests of the Republic of the Philippines, or to individuals holding positions like Chargé d’affaires, Counselors, First Secretaries, Consul Generals in the consular section of an Embassy, Consular officers with a rank exceeding Second Secretary, Directors, or others of similar standing.

  • Officer (OLH) (Pinuno) – Granted to a civilian for commendable acts of merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines, or to individuals such as Second Secretaries, Consuls, Assistant Directors, or those with similar positions.

  • Legionnaire (LLH) (Lehiyonaryo) – Conferred upon a civilian for acts of merit that benefit the Republic of the Philippines, or to individuals holding positions like Third Secretaries, Vice Consuls, Attachés, Principal Assistants, or others of similar rank.

The Order of Sikatuna

The Order of Sikatuna was established in 1953 and is the national order of diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines.

The Order of Sikatuna (or Orden ng Sikatuna in Filipino) serves as the Republic of the Philippines’ premier national order of diplomatic merit. It is bestowed upon individuals who have exhibited exceptional and commendable service to the nation, diplomats, officials, and citizens of foreign countries who have made significant contributions to fostering, developing, and enhancing relations between their respective nations and the Philippines, as well as personnel of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), both domestically and abroad.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs is authorized to confer the Order of Sikatuna on behalf of the President, recognizing individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions to diplomatic relations.

History of the Order of Sikatuna

President Elpidio Quirino established the “Order of Sikatuna” through Executive Order No. 571 on February 27, 1953. Section 2 of the executive order explains that the Order of Sikatuna commemorates the first treaty, known as the Pacto de Sangre, between the Philippines and a foreign country.

According to President Quirino’s order, this treaty symbolizes the historic blood compact, commonly referred to as the sandugo, between Bohol native chieftain Datu Sikatuna and Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. However, recent scrutiny has questioned the accuracy of this premise, as historical records indicate that the first blood compact occurred 44 years earlier between Ferdinand Magellan, representing the Spanish crown, and Raia Siaiu, the king of the island-port of Mazaua. 

The Order of Sikatuna Classes

The Order of Sikatuna has six classes (which changed in 2003). At the time of writing this, these are:

  • Grand Collar (GCS) (Raja) – Awarded to a former or current Head of State and/or government.
  •   Grand Cross (GCrS) (Datu) – The Grand Cross is divided into two categories:
    • (i) Gold (Katangiang Ginto) and
    • (ii) Silver (Katangiang Pilak).
      It may be conferred upon a Crown Prince, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, or individuals holding equivalent positions, as well as foreign ministers, cabinet-level officials, ambassadors, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, or individuals of similar rank or status.
  • Grand Officer (GOS) (Maringal na Lakan) – Granted to Chargé d’affaires, e.p., ministers, minister counselors, consuls general overseeing consular posts, executive directors, or individuals of comparable rank.
  • Commander (CS) (Lakan) – Bestowed upon Chargé d’affaires a.i., counselors, first secretaries, consuls general in the consular section of an Embassy, consular officers with a personal rank higher than Second Secretary, directors, or individuals holding similar positions.
  • Officer (OS) (Maginoo) – Conferred upon Second Secretaries, consuls, assistant directors, or individuals of similar rank.
  • Member (MS) (Maharlika) – Awarded to Third Secretaries, Vice Consuls, Attachés, Principal Assistants, or individuals holding comparable positions.

The Order of Lakandula

The Order of Lakandula was established in 2003 and is one of the highest civilian orders of the Philippines.

The Order of Lakandula (or Orden ni Lakandula in Filipino) stands as one of the Philippines’ most esteemed civilian honors, established on September 19, 2003. It is bestowed in recognition of exceptional political and civic merit, paying homage to Lakandula’s legacy of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage, and resolve in serving one’s people.

As outlined in the Honors Code of the Philippines (Executive Order 236, September 19, 2003), the criteria for conferring the Order of Lakandula are delineated in Section 5, II. This prestigious award is granted to a Filipino or foreign citizen who:

  • a. Demonstrates a lifelong dedication to the betterment of society through their actions and endeavors;
  • b. Serves as a model of conduct and character for the Filipino people to emulate;
  • c. Exhibits remarkable deeds warranting special recognition, such as enduring personal sacrifice for the preservation of democracy and the territorial integrity of the Philippines, dedicating oneself to peaceful conflict resolution, or displaying exceptional commitment to fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchange, justice, and respectful relationships among individuals; or
  • d. Engages in acts traditionally acknowledged by presidential awards, including commendable political and civic service.

The Order of Lakandula Classes

There are seven classes or ranks for the Order of Lakandula:

  1. Grand Collar (Supremo): Bestowed upon an individual who has endured significant hardships in defense of the democratic principles or territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines, or upon a former or current head of state or government.

  2. Grand Cross (Bayani): Conferred upon an individual dedicated to resolving conflicts peacefully, serving as a role model for the Filipino people, or holding high-ranking positions such as Crown Prince, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, Foreign Minister, Ambassador, Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary.

  3. Grand Officer (Marangal na Pinuno): Granted to an individual demonstrating lifelong commitment to political and civic welfare, or holding positions such as Chargé d’affaires e.d., Minister, Minister Counselor, Consul General, Executive Director, or similar ranks.

  4. Commander (Komandante): Bestowed upon individuals showing exceptional dedication to political and civic welfare, or holding positions like Chargé d’affaires a.i., Counselor, First Secretary, Consul General in an Embassy’s consular section, Director, or equivalent ranks.

  5. Officer (Pinuno): Awarded to individuals with commendable dedication to political and civic welfare, or holding positions like Second Secretary, Consul, Assistant Director, or similar ranks.

  6. Member (Kagawad): Given to individuals displaying meritorious dedication to political and civic welfare, or holding positions like Third Secretary, Vice Consul, Attaché, Principal Assistant, or equivalent ranks.

  7. Champion for Life (Kampeon Habang Buhay): The most recently established rank, created in 2006 by President Gloria M. Arroyo. Initially positioned after the Pinuno rank, it was later aligned with the Order of National Artists.

The Quezon Service Cross

The Quezon Service Cross was established in 1946 and is the highest national recognition of the Republic of the Philippines.

The Quezon Service Cross (or Krus ng Serbisyo ni Quezon in Filipino) stands as the highest national honor bestowed by the Republic of the Philippines. Since its establishment in 1946, only a select few Filipinos have been recipients of this prestigious recognition.

The creation of the award dates back to October 21, 1946, through Joint Resolution No. 4 of the 1st Congress of the Philippines, which holds the authority of law. Known as the Quezon Service Cross, this decoration is bestowed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Congress of the Philippines. It is conferred upon Filipino citizens who have exhibited exemplary service to the nation, elevating the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines or contributing significantly to the enduring welfare of its people.

Nominees for the Quezon Service Cross must demonstrate services deserving of the award, measured against the standard established by the notable contributions of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, in whose honor the decoration is named. President Manuel Roxas proposed the establishment of this honor, also known as the Congressional Quezon Service Cross, as its conferral necessitates approval from the Congress of the Philippines and is rarely granted.

Only six Filipinos have been conferred this decoration:

The Quezon Service Cross Design

Quezon Service Cross diagram.
Quezon Service Cross diagram.

The badge of the Quezon Service Cross consists of a Maltese cross suspended from a ribbon, with intricate details and symbolism incorporated into its appearance. The obverse features the inscription “Sic floret Respublica” (“He distinguished the Republic“) and has a relief of President Manuel L. Quezon. The wreath is a Sampaguita design.

The ribbon has equal bars of white, green, white, green, yellow, red, white, red, yellow, green, white, green, and white.

The Turkish Medal of Independence

The Turkish Medal of Independence was issued in 1920 in limited number and awarded for contributions during the Turkish War of Independence.

The Medal of Independence (or İstiklal Madalyası in Turkish) holds a distinctive place as a military decoration of great significance, issued in limited numbers by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in accordance with Act 66 of November 29, 1920.

This prestigious award was reserved for military personnel and civilians who made noteworthy contributions to the country’s cause during the Turkish War of Independence, a pivotal period in Turkey’s history. Notably, in recognition of their valiant efforts and sacrifices, the flags of all regiments belonging to the Turkish National Forces that participated in campaigns during the occupation of Izmir between May 15, 1919, and September 9, 1922, were also honored with this esteemed medal.

The Medal of Independence symbolizes the spirit of resilience, courage, and unity that characterized Turkey’s struggle for independence during this tumultuous period. It serves as a testament to the bravery and dedication of those who fought tirelessly for the nation’s sovereignty and freedom, both on the battlefield and on the home front.

The Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Merit

The Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Merit is awarded to those who show great skill in the achievement of the tasks assigned to them.

The Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Merit (or TSK Liyakat Madalyası in Turkish) is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional proficiency in accomplishing their assigned tasks or who achieve success in diverse undertakings, the medal also honors those who foster the advancement of amicable relations between the Turkish Armed Forces and the armed forces of allied nations.

Furthermore, the medal is bestowed upon individuals who play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between nations, thereby fostering mutual understanding and cooperation on an international scale.

The Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Merit Design

The insignia is made of bronze and consists of three parts  (the medal itself, a rosette, and a miniature).

The total weight for the medal is 60 grams.

The Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Achievement

The Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Achievement is awarded for exceptional success in the performance of important missions during war time.

The Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Achievement (or TSK Başarı Madalyası in Turkish) holds a significant place among the honors bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate outstanding performance and dedication in their service to the nation.

In times of war, this accolade is reserved for individuals who exhibit remarkable success in executing crucial missions with unparalleled skill and valor. Whether facing the rigors of combat or navigating complex military operations, recipients of this medal exemplify the highest standards of excellence and courage on the battlefield.

In periods of tranquility, the Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Achievement is awarded to those whose contributions and achievements in service surpass the expectations placed upon them. Whether through innovative leadership, exemplary professionalism, or extraordinary commitment to duty, recipients of this honor distinguish themselves through their unwavering dedication to upholding the values and principles of the Turkish Armed Forces.

The Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Distinguished Courage and Self-Sacrifice

This medal is awarded to those who fulfill the duties entrusted to them with great courage while putting their lives in danger.

The Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Distinguished Courage and Self-Sacrifice (or Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Üstün Cesaret ve Feragat Madalyası in Turkish) stands as one of the most prestigious honors conferred by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), established on July 3, 1975.

In times of war or peace, the medal is awarded to individuals or military units who have demonstrated exceptional courage and self-sacrifice while carrying out their duties, often risking their lives in the process.

This prestigious accolade may be bestowed upon civilians or military personnel of any nationality. Recommendations for its awarding can be made by the Deputy Minister for National Defense or by any of the Commanders representing the four branches of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF): the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, or the Gendarmerie (excluding the Commander of the fifth branch, the Coast Guard). Final approval for the award rests with the Chief of the General Staff.

The Medal of Distinguished Courage Design

The medal features silver laurels surrounding a gold medal with an engraving of Mehmetçik, the legendary Turkish soldier, atop.

The regular size decoration consists of three pieces. Made of bronze, it is minted with 5 micrometer silver and 0.2 micrometer gold-plating. It weighs 59 grams and has a diameter of 3.5 cm. The miniature size decoration also comprises three pieces. Made of bronze, the miniature medal is minted with 5 micrometer silver and 0.2 micrometer gold-plating. It weighs 15 grams and has a diameter of 1 cm.

The ribbon is red with a golden crescent moon and a star on top.

Order of Merit of the Republic of Turkey

Order of Merit of the Republic of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Liyakat Nişanı) is awarded to foreign scientists, academics, and artists.

The Order of Merit of the Republic of Turkey (or Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Liyakat Nişanı in Turkish) is conferred by the President of Turkey based on recommendations from relevant Cabinet members, taking into account input from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language, and History.

This honor is bestowed upon foreign scientists, academics, artists, and intellectuals as a token of appreciation for their efforts in promoting and highlighting the Republic of Turkey on the global stage through their contributions to science and the arts.

  • Eligibility: Foreign scientists, academics, artists and intellectuals.
  • “Given to people who foreign nationals in recognition of their contributions for international promotion and glorification of the Republic of Turkey in science and arts.”