This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Δ (talk | contribs) at 13:39, 12 May 2011 (adjusting filename after rename). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 13:39, 12 May 2011 by Δ (talk | contribs) (adjusting filename after rename)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The following is a list of medals, awards and decorations in use in Poland. Most of them are awarded by the Polish Army, but some of them are civilian decorations that may be worn by the military personnel.
Most of these decorations ceased to be awarded; some were awarded before the World War II only, and some in the People's Republic of Poland only; order of some of them was changed by law. The order of precedence was last reformed in 2007. The order of precedence is: 6 orders (order) in specific order of precedence (see table below); other orders in order they were received; 12 crosses (krzyż), 3 medals (medal) and 5 stars (gwiazda) in specific order of precedence; other crosses and awards in order they were received.
Currently recognized state awards subject to order of precedence
| Award | I class | II class | III class | IV class | V class | Description | Established in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order of the White Eagle Order Orła Białego |
|
Poland's highest decoration awarded to both civilians and the military for their merits. | 1705, reactivated in 1921, reinstated in 1992 | ||||
| Virtuti Militari | 
|
|
|
|
|
Poland's highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy | 1792, reactivated in 1919 |
| Order of Polonia Restituta Order Odrodzenia Polski Order of Poland Reborn |
|
|
|
|
|
Awarded to both civilians and the military for their merits. | 1921 |
| Order of Military Cross Order Krzyża Wojskowego |
|
|
|
Awarded to military personnel for actions in peacetime. | 2006 | ||
| Order of the Cross of Independence Order Krzyża Niepodległości |
|
|
Awarded for struggle for independence in 1939-1956 period. | 2010 | |||
| Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej |
|
|
|
|
|
Awarded to civilians and foreigners for contributing to good foreign relations. | 1974 |
| Other orders in the order they were received. | |||||||
| Cross of Valour Krzyż Walecznych |
|
Polish military decoration awarded to a person who "has demonstrated deeds of valor and courage on the battlefield." | 1920 | ||||
| Military Cross Krzyż Wojskowy |
|
Combat decoration, conferred to a military, irrespective of rank and service for combat valor agains an act of terror in the territory of Poland or while on a mission of the Armed Forces overseas. | 2007 | ||||
| Cross of Merit for Bravery Krzyż Zasługi za Dzielność |
|
For recognition of military or police personnel. | 1928 | ||||
| Gold Cross of Merit with Swords Złoty Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
|
Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. | 1942 | ||||
| Cross of Freedom and Solidarity Krzyż Wolności i Solidarności |
|
Awarded to members of anti-communist opposition movement in PRL. | 2010 | ||||
| Gold Cross of Merit Złoty Krzyż Zasługi |
|
Civil state award established to recognize services to the state. | 1923 | ||||
| Silver Cross of Merit with Swords Srebrny Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
|
Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. | 1942 | ||||
| Silver Cross of Merit Srebrny Krzyż Zasługi |
|
Civil state award established to recognize services to the state. | 1923 | ||||
| Bronze Cross of Merit with Swords Brązowy Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
|
Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. | 1942 | ||||
| Bronze Cross of Merit Brązowy Krzyż Zasługi |
|
Civil state award established to recognize services to the state. | 1923 | ||||
| Military Cross of Merit with Swords Air Force Cross of Merit with Swords Navy Cross of Merit with Swords Wojskowy Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami Lotniczy Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami Morski Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
  
|
Conferred for meritorious service in combat operations against acts of terrorism at home or during military missions overseas. | 2007 | ||||
| Military Cross of Merit Air Force Cross of Merit Navy Cross of Merit Wojskowy Krzyż Zasługi Lotniczy Krzyż Zasługi Morski Krzyż Zasługi |
  
|
Bestowed for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service. | 2007 | ||||
| Medal for Sacrifice and Courage Medal za Ofiarność i Odwagę |
|
Civil award for risking one's life to save another's. | 1960 | ||||
| Medal for Long Service Medal za Długoletnią Służbę |
|
|
|
Conferred for long service in the armed forces, police, fire service, education, justice, central or local administration; awarded for 30, 20 and 10 years of service respectively | 1938, reactivated in 2007 | ||
| Medal for Long Marital Life Medal Za Długoletnie Pożycie Małżeńskie |
|
For a marriage lasting 50 years or more. | 1960 | ||||
| Stars Gwiazdy |
    
|
Afghanistan Star (for service in Afghanistan; since 2002) Iraq Star (for service in Iraq; 2003-2008) Chad Star (for service in EUFOR Tchad/RCA and MINURCAT; 2008-2009) Congo Star (for service in EUFOR RD Congo; 2006) Mediterranean Sea Star (for service in Active Endeavour; since 2005) |
2008 (2) 2010 (3) | ||||
| Other crosses and awards in the order they were received. |
Former awards
References
- Regulation of the Polish President of 10 November 1992 on the description, material, dimensions of Designs and how to wear badges and circumstances of decoration (in Polish)
- Regulation of the Polish President on 31 July 2007 amending the Regulation on the description, material, dimensions, designs, drawings and how to wear badges and the circumstances of orders and decorations (in Polish)
- Regulation of the Polish President on 15 November 2010 amending the Regulation on the description, material, dimensions, designs, drawings and how to wear badges and the circumstances of orders and decorations (in Polish)
See also
- Polish Army
- History of Poland
- List of military decorations
- Krzyż Powstania Warszawskiego
- Warsaw Cross of the Uprising awarded 1981 to 1999
- Partisan Cross awarded 1945 to 1999