The Order of Independence and Freedom

• Time Period: Post-WW2 Period
• Year of Institution: 1955
• Country: China

The Order of Independence and Freedom (独立自由勋章 in Chinese, Dúlì Zìyóu Xūnzhāng in pinyin) was a military award from the People’s Republic of China created in 1955. It was decided by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and awarded by the President of the People’s Republic of China. The medal was in use since 1955 but has now been suspended.

The Order was given in recognition to men who distinguished themselves “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity” in combat with an enemy of China in the Second Sino-Japanese War (a military conflict primarily waged between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan).

There are three grades for the Order of Independence and Freedom:

• First Class Medal: Awarded to brigade-level and above of the Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army.
• Second Class Medal: Awarded to brigade-level and above of the Eighth Route Army, the New Fourth Army, and the Anti-Japanese Guerrilla
• Third Class Medal: Awarded to the battalion and company ranks.

The Order of Independence and Freedom Design

The outer contour of the medal is an octagonal star, and in the middle is the Yan’an Pagoda Mountain under the shining red star, which symbolizes the brilliance of the anti-Japanese armed forces led by Yan’an, the seat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China during the Anti-Japanese War.

The medal is struck in golden or gold-silver metal. The ribbon style is one to three yellow vertical bars on a green background indicating the level.