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Category: Post-WW2 Medals

The Henry Dunant Medal

The Henry Dunant Medal is the highest award of the Red Cross. It was created in 1963 and named after the founder of the Red Cross Movement.

The Henry Dunant Medal is the highest award of the Red Cross Movement. It was created in 1963 and named after Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross Movement. In 1963, the idea of creating a medal named in honor of the founder of the International Red Cross was submitted to and approved by the Council of Delegates. This coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Red Cross. In 1965, through the generosity of the Australian Red Cross, the Henry Dunant Medal was established by the International Red Cross Conference in Vienna. The first medals were presented in 1969.

The medal is awarded to “recognize and reward outstanding services and acts of great devotion, mainly of international significance, to the cause of the Red Cross/Red Crescent by any of its members“. 

The medal is presented every two years by the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the body that represents the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the various National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This body, representing all of the groups making up the Red Cross Movement, makes five awards of the medal every two years. These limits are placed to ensure the value and prestige of the medal as the highest honour the Red Cross Movement can bestow upon one of its members.

Regulations still allow for the posthumous award of the medal. However, the various groups of the movement have been encouraged to create recognition for those killed in service to the Red Cross. All posthumous nominations for the Henry Dunant Medal should be for, “truly exceptional cases.”

The Henry Dunant Medal Design

The Henry Dunant Medal is in the shape of a Geneva or Greek cross. The arms of the cross are colored with red enamel. In the center of the cross is a circular bronze medallion bearing effigy of Henry Dunant, facing left. Circumscribed around the effigy are the words HENRY DUNANT 1828-1910. The reverse of the medal is plain. To the top arm of the cross is attached a loop for ribbon suspension.

The ribbon is depicted as either solid green, or green with red edges.

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The (Mexican) War Cross

The Mexican War Cross was instituted in 1949 in three classes to be awarded to military in time of war or armed conflict for acts of bravery. 

The War Cross (or Cruz de Guerra in Spanish) was instituted by Presidential Decree on 25 July 1949 in three classes to be awarded to military in time of war or armed conflict for acts of bravery.

Cuauhtémoc was an early 16th Century Aztec ruler who fought heroically against the Spanish conquistadors and was tortured and then unjustly executed by Cortés. Today, Cuauhtémoc is revered in Mexico whilst the world has largely forgotten the victorious Cortés.

The War Cross Design

The medal is a gilt and deep red enamel cross pattée with concave stepped ends to the arms and a loop for ribbon suspension.

The obverse shows the gilt head of Cuauhtémoc in eagle war headdress imposed on a circular central deep red enamel medallion within a gilt ring inscribed in red letters ‘CRUZ DE GUERRA PRIMERA CLASE’ (War Cross First Class). The reverse is plain, with a ribbon with laurel-decorated gilt top bar mounted for wear.

The Mexican Legion of Honor

The  Mexican Legion of Honor is an order of merit awarded to soldiers, veterans, and others who have made outstanding contributions to Mexico.

The modern Mexican Legion of Honor (or Legión de Honor Mexicana in Spanish) is an order of merit awarded to soldiers, veterans, and others who have made outstanding contributions to the national defense, security, or sovereignty of Mexico.

An earlier, post-revolutionary version was organized as a military reserve force, a forerunner to the modern Legion that was founded in 1917 under President Venustiano Carranza to provide an “honorable location for excess officers of the Constitutional Army.” It was available for use as a reserve force in case of national emergency, and also provided training for new recruits.

The modern Mexican Legion of Honor was created in a 1949 decree by President Miguel Alemán Valdés to “honor soldiers during their lifetime” who had contributed to the national defense, or who had contributed in some form to the social achievements enshrined in the Constitution. Eligibility changes included admission for those who had served the country, or completed at least thirty years of active military service.

A 1994 amendment to the original act established some organizational changes, including an official name change to Legión de Honor Militar Mexicana, and added eligibility to those who had “participated in the most preeminent events” of Mexican history, carried out “heroic actions“, or in some way contributed to the military defense of the nation, to guaranteeing national security, or to maintain national sovereignty and independence.

The 1949 reorganization opened the membership first to civilians, and then to women. Although some women were recognized as members, without recognizing either their military rank or their pensions.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States. It is the highest civilian award of the USA.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian award of the United States.

The medal recognizes those people who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors”. The award is not limited to U.S. citizens and, while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform.

President John F. Kennedy established the current decoration in 1963 through Executive Order 11085, with unique and distinctive insignia, vastly expanded purpose, and far higher prestige. It was the first U.S. civilian neck decoration and, in the grade of Awarded With Distinction, is the only U.S. sash and star decoration.

The Executive Order calls for the medal to be awarded annually on or around July 4, and at other convenient times as chosen by the president, but it has not been awarded every year (e.g., 2001, 2010). Recipients are selected by the president, either on the president’s own initiative or based on recommendations.

The medal may be awarded to an individual more than once.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom Design

The badge of the Presidential Medal of Freedom is in the form of a golden star with white enamel, with a red enamel pentagon behind it; the central disc bears thirteen gold stars on a blue enamel background (taken from the Great Seal of the United States) within a golden ring. Golden North American bald eagles with spread wings stand between the points of the star. It is worn around the neck on a blue ribbon with white edge stripes.

A special rarely given grade of the medal, known as the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, has a larger execution of the same medal design worn as a star on the left chest along with a sash over the right shoulder, with its rosette resting on the left hip.

Both medals may also be worn in miniature form on a ribbon on the left chest, with a silver North American bald eagle with spread wings on the ribbon, or a golden North American bald eagle for a medal awarded With Distinction.

In addition, the medal is accompanied by a service ribbon for wear on military service uniform, a miniature medal pendant for wear on mess dress or civilian formal wear, and a lapel badge for wear on civilian clothes (all shown in the accompanying photograph of the full presentation set).

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The Congressional Gold Medal

The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the Congress and one of the three highest civilian awards in the United States. 

Time Period: Pre-WW1, The Great War, Interwars, Second World War, Post-WW2
Institution: 1776
Country: United States
 

The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress and one of the three highest civilian awards in the United States. Alongside the Presidential Medal of Freedom, it’s the oldest and highest American civilian award.

The medal is awarded to persons “who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement.”

The tradition within the U.S. Congress of awarding gold medals as a form of recognition originated during the American Revolution, initially bestowed upon military personnel. Over time, this practice expanded to include individuals from various professions and, in the late 20th century, even groups. 

At the time of writing this, there have been 184 Congressional Gold Medals awarded.

How the Congressional Gold Medal is Awarded

There are no permanent statutory provisions for the creation of Congressional Gold Medals. When one has been deemed appropriate, Congress has, by legislative action, provided for the creation of a medal on an ad hoc basis.

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. The medal was first awarded in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress to General George Washington.

Although the first recipients were military figures who participated in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War, Congress broadened the scope of the medal to include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in aeronautics and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public servants, and foreign recipients.

The medal is normally awarded to persons, but in 1979 the American Red Cross became the first organization to be honored with a gold medal. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement.

Medal awarded to Charles A. Lindbergh in 1930
Medal awarded to Charles A. Lindbergh in 1930. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

The Congressional Gold Medal Design

A Congressional Gold Medal is designed by the United States Mint to commemorate the person and achievement for which the medal is awarded specifically. Medals are therefore different in appearance, and there is no standard design.

Congressional Gold Medals are considered non-portable, meaning that they are not meant to be worn on a uniform or other clothing but rather displayed. In rare instances, miniature versions have been made or converted for wear on clothing suspended from a ribbon.

Often, bronze versions of the medals are struck for sale by the U.S. Mint, and may be available in both larger and smaller sizes.

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The Royal Order of Sports Merit

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 18 June 1982
  • Country: Spain

The Royal Order of Sports Merit (or Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo) is a Spanish civil Order of Merit established 18 June 1982.

The order is indented to recognize distinguished service in sports, in teaching physical education, or the management, organization, promotion and development of physical education and sports. The order may be presented to individuals in one of four classes. It may also be presented to legal personalities, organizations, and other entities in one of three classes.

The Spanish Constitution of 1978 contains in article 43.3, a guiding principle in the conduct of public authorities to promote physical education and sport. The Royal Order of Sports Merit is a tool of this constitutional mandate to promote, advertise, and propagate physical culture and sports.

Individuals may be awarded the Royal Order of Sports Merit in one of four classes:

  • Grand Cross, awarded by Royal Decree in accordance with the Council of Ministers.
  • Gold Medal, awarded by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport, on the proposal of the President of the Sports Council.
  • Silver Medal, awarded by the President of the Sports Council.
  • Bronze Medal, awarded by the President of the Sports Council.

Groups and organizations may be awarded in one of three different classes:

  • Gold Plaque, awarded by Royal Decree in accordance with the Council of Ministers.
  • Silver Plaque, awarded by the President of the Sports Council.
  • Bronze Plaque, awarded by the President of the Sports Council.

The Western European Union Mission Service Medal

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 20 December 1994
  • Country: Spain

The Western European Union Mission Service Medal, is an international military decoration awarded to individuals, who served with Western European Union (WEU) military missions.

The WEU first acted in military operations in the context of the Iran–Iraq War. In 1987, mines were laid in the Persian Gulf, restricting the freedom of navigation in international waters. A joint mine sweeping effort was undertaken by member nations of the WEU.

The WEU next took part in military operations during the Yugoslav Wars in 1992. The WEU undertook Operation Sharp Fence starting in 1992, in tandem with NATO who was executing Operation Maritime Guard. WEU and NATO joined their operations together in a single command as Operation Sharp Guard in June 1993.

The Western European Union Mission Service Medal Design

The medal is circular, made of silver-colored oxidized metal, 36 mm in diameter.

The obverse of the medal displays the letters WEU arranged horizontally for “Western European Union”. Above the letter E is the letter U and below the letter O. UEO is the acronym for the French equivalent, Union de l’Europe Occidentale. Below the acronyms, arranged along the edge, are ten five pointed stars.

The reverse bears the Latin words in relief, PRO PACE UNUM, meaning “one for peace”, or idiomatically as “united for peace”.

The suspension ribbon of the medal is blue with a central stripe of yellow-gold. Worn on the ribbon are clasps naming the mission for which the medal is awarded. The service ribbon is the same as the suspension ribbon, utilizing miniature versions of the clasps.

The Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 1 January 2003
  • Country: Spain

The Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal (or European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal prior to 2009), is an international military decoration awarded to individuals, both military and civilian, who have served with CSDP missions.

Since the 1990s the European Union has taken a greater role in military missions both in Europe and abroad. These actions were taken under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), which is implemented by the European Union Military Staff, a department of the EU.

The The Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal Design

The medal is 36 mm in diameter, made of a silver colored metal. All versions share a common design.

The obverse of the medal is plain except for a circle of twelve five pointed stars around the outside edge of the medal. The reverse contains the Latin phrase, Pro Pace Unum, meaning “United for Peace”.

The words are arranged in three lines one word above the other in the center of the medal. The medal is suspended from a 36 mm ribbon in EU blue with either a wide gold center stripe for headquarters and combat forces, or a wide white stripe for planning and support. Each operation is identified with a different clasp with the name of the operation worn on the ribbon of the medal. A miniature version is worn on the ribbon bar, when medals are not worn.

To recognize service in these missions the EU authorized the creation of a medal with a common obverse and reverse, to which clasps featuring the missions’ name are attached to the ribbon bar.

The Long Military Service Cross (Spain)

The Long Military Service Cross is a military decoration of the Spanish Armed Forces and Civil Guard for long service.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 26 December 1958
  • Country: Spain

The Long Military Service Cross (or Cruz a la Constancia en el Servicio) is a military decoration of the Spanish Armed Forces and Civil Guard, designed to reward long and meritorious service below the level required for induction into the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild.

The medal was established by the Spanish government on December 26, 1958, and approved by Juan Carlos I in Royal Decree 682/2002. Regulations for the award were later modified in 2011, by Royal Decree 1385/2011.

The Long Military Service Cross may be awarded to all members of the Spanish Armed Forces, as well as to members of the Civil Guard at or below the rank of Corporal (OR-3). It can be presented in three grades, depending on time of service:

  • Gold for 30 years of meritorious service.
  • Silver for 25 years of meritorious service.
  • Bronze for 15 years of meritorious service.

The Long Military Service Cross Design

The ribbon of the medal is yellow, with a central stripe and thin border of magenta. The medal is a white cross pattée, bordered in either bronze, silver, or gold, and suspended from a crown.

At the center of the cross is a deep-blue enameled medallion, circumscribed by a white-enameled border which reads PREMIO A LA CONSTANCIA EN EL SERVICIO (Award for Constant Service). At the center of the medallion is a red Cross of Saint James, in the style of the Order of Santiago.

The Fidelity Cross (Spain)

The Fidelity Cross (Cruz Fidélitas) is a medal of the Spanish Armed Forces, primarily awarded to military chaplains to reward service.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 25 July 2007
  • Country: Spain

The Fidelity Cross (or Cruz Fidélitas) is a medal of the Spanish Armed Forces, primarily awarded to military chaplains. It is awarded by the military archbishopric to reward faithful service by chaplains, as well as services to the archbishopric by deserving civilians, institutions and other military personnel.

The decree established the award as a decoration of the Archdiocese of Spain, rather than the military, and stipulated that only the current military archbishop had the authority to award grades of the Cruz Fidélitas. However, he may temporarily delegate the power to award any class of the award to any chaplain he sees fit, other than that of Grand Cross.

There are three classes of the Cruz Fidélitas that can be awarded to military chaplains:

  • Cruz de la Cruz Fidélitas (Cross of the Fidelity Cross), awarded for 15 years of service.
  • Encomienda de la Cruz Fidélitas (Commendation of the Fidelity Cross), awarded for 20 years of service.
  • Plata de la Cruz Fidélitas (Plate of the Fidelity Cross), awarded for 25 years of service.

The Fidelity Cross Design

The ribbon of the medal is purple, with two white stripes extending down each side. From the ribbon hands a white-enameled cross bordered in gold, with gold spikes extending between the arms.

In the center of the cross, in the obverse, is the emblem of the Military Archbishopric of Spain, enameled in red. The reverse of the medal features a capital letter “F” relieved in the center of the cross, and the year “2007” on the lower arm, also in relief. A gold crown is used to suspend the cross from the ribbon.

Aside from that of the Cross of Honor, the ribbon bars of each grade also bear a device, dependent on the grade received. The ribbon bars of the Plate, Commendation, and Cross of the Cruz Fidélitas bear a Latin cross fleury, in gold, silver or bronze, respectively. The ribbon bar of the Grand Cross features a Spanish Royal Crown.