The Order of the Cross of Grunwald

• Time Period: World War II
• Year of Institution: November 1943
• Country: Poland

The Order of the Cross of Grunwald (or Order Krzyża Grunwaldu in Polish) was a military decoration created in Poland in November 1943 by the High Command of Gwardia Ludowa, a World War II Polish resistance movement organized by the Polish Workers Party.

The medal was conferred to Polish or the allied military for valor or merit in combat with Nazi Germany. After the end of the Second World War it continued to be awarded for outstanding merit in commanding or outstanding contribution to the development of the Polish Armed Forces.

On 20 February 1944 it was confirmed by the State National Council and on 22 December by the Polish Committee of National Liberation and further confirmed on 17 February 1960 by the government of the People’s Republic of Poland. It was disestablished by the President of Poland via Parliament in 1992.

The Order of the Cross of Grunwald Design

The medal is a cross with 4 equilateral arms with gold edges and pointed ends. It’s struck in silver and measures 45 by 45 mm in diameter. Overall arm length with finials is 16.5 mm and without finials 15 mm. Thickness is 2.5 mm.

The center of the obverse shows a shield within which are two swords facing downwards. In the center of the reverse is also a sword, in which is the transcription 1410 KG 1944 below one another.

The ribbon has a central grey stripe flanked by red with green edges.