List of highest military decorations by country

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This list of highest military decorations is an index to articles that describe the highest military decoration awarded by each country in the world.

Contents

Note that some countries do not have separate civilian and military awards systems, and as such some countries' highest military awards may also be civilian awards.

CountryImageNameDate first awardedNumber awardedNotes
Argentina NAHVC.jpg Cross to the Heroic Valour in Combat 18Last awarded in 1982
Armenia Fatherland Armenia.svg National Hero of Armenia 28 July 199427The highest title in Armenia is National Hero of Armenia, which is awarded alongside an Order of Fatherland and may also be conferred on members of the military.
1st degree combat cross Arm..jpg Order of the Combat Cross Established 22 April 1994Awarded for absolute courage, selflessness and skill in defending the Fatherland. It is divided into First and Second degrees.
Australia UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg The Victoria Cross for Australia 16 January 2009 [1] 5Replaced The Victoria Cross
Austria Austria Military Merit Decoration.png The Military Merit Decoration
Azerbaijan Gold Star medal of Azerbaijan.png National Hero of Azerbaijan 7 June 1992Highest national title of Azerbaijan, conferred alongside the Qizil Ulduz ("Gold Star") Medal. Awarded for outstanding services of national importance to Azerbaijan in defence and strengthening of the state system and creation of important national values.
Sah Ismayil ordeni.png Shah Ismail Order Established 6 December 1993Highest military award of Azerbaijan
Bangladesh biir shresstth pdk.jpg Bir Sreshtho 15 December 19737
Belarus Medal Hero of Belarus.svg Hero of Belarus 21 November 199613Highest title that can be awarded to a citizen of Belarus. Can be conferred for military or civilian service.
Orden Voinskoy Slavy.jpg Order of Military Glory Established 13 April 1995The highest order of Belarus is the Order of the Fatherland which may also be awarded for military service. There is also a separate Medal for Bravery.
Belgium Deco militaire services exceptionels.jpg Military Decoration for gallantry or exceptional devotion 22 December 1873
Botswana Conduct Valour Cross (CVC) Established 1979
Brazil
Brazil militar condecoration.jpg
Order of Military Merit 1934820
Bulgaria
Orden <<Za khrabrost>> I stepen s mechove.gif
Order of Bravery Established 1 January 1880
Canada Victoria Cross (Canada) ribbon bar.png The Victoria Cross of Canada Established 2 February 19930Replaced the Victoria Cross
China Bkncn-20170612170038965-0612 05011 001 01p.jpg Order of August First 12 June 201710
Colombia Order of San Mateo 3rd class (Colombia).jpg Order of San Mateo
Croatia Order of Duke Domagoj.jpg Order of Duke Domagoj 1995566 [nb 1]
551 [nb 2] 		Established in 1995, this is Croatia's highest award for bravery and the 8th highest national medal.
Cuba Hero of the Republic of Cuba.svg Hero of the Republic of Cuba 1980This honorary title is the highest decoration awarded by the Republic of Cuba, conferred for civilian and military merit in productive labour, defence of the interests of the working class, and contributions to proletarian internationalism.
Orden cubana de Cienfuegos (cropped).jpg Order Camilo Cienfuegos Established 1979Awarded to members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, and to the military of "friendly countries".
Czech Republic CzechMedalOfHonor.jpg Medal of Heroism Established 1990Created by the Parliament of the Czechoslovak Federative Republic in 1990, and awarded once before its re-authorization by the Czech Republic in 1992. May also be awarded to civilians.
Denmark Det Tapperhedskors Danmark.png The Valour Cross 18 November 2011 [2] 1
Egypt Order of the Sinai Star medal.jpg Order of the Sinai Star Established 1972200
Estonia Vrijheidskruis III 3 Estland Civiel.jpg The Cross of Liberty 24 February 19193,156None has been awarded since 1925
Finland Mannerheimkruis der Eerste en Tweede Klasse.jpg Mannerheim Cross 22 July 1941197 [nb 1]
191 [nb 2] 		Highest gallantry award of Finland and the most distinguished military award, [3] however next in official precedence to the Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Liberty. Awarded in two classes.
Still active de jure , although none have been awarded since 1945. Last living recipient died in November 2020.
Grand cross of the Cross of Liberty with swords (wartime merits).png Order of the Cross of Liberty Established 4 March 1918Highest military order of Finland, with its Grand Cross as its highest decoration; Mannerheim Cross is also awarded by the Order of the Cross of Liberty.
France Chevalier legion d'honneur 2.png The Legion of Honour 15 July 1804Conferred in five classes for military or civilian merit.
Germany Ehrenkreuz Bundeswehr Tapferkeit 1.jpg The Cross of Honour for Valour 6 July 200928
Georgia National Hero of Georgia PS work 1.png Order of National Hero Established 24 June 2004Highest national order of Georgia, awarded alongside the title of National Hero. It is conferred on both civilians and military personnel. The St. George's Victory Order was established in the same year and is awarded for contributions to victorious battles and general significant victories for Georgia. Before 2004 the Order of David IV the Builder was the highest military and civilian order.
GEO Vakhtang Gorgasal Order 1rank BAR.svg Vakhtang Gorgasali Order (1st Class) Established 1992The highest purely military decoration of Georgia. It is divided into three degrees. The Military Courage Medal is awarded for heroic and daring actions while carrying out military duties.
Greece GR Metallio Andragathias.svg Medal for Gallantry The Medal for Gallantry formally replaced the Cross of Valour as the top military award in 1974, but it has never been conferred.
Cross of Valor Gold Cross.png Cross of Valour 1913
Hungary Magyar Szent Istvan-rend Nagykeresztje.jpg Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary 1764-1918, 1938–1946, 2011-
India Param-vir-chakra-medal.png
Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg 		Param Vir Chakra 3 November 194721Highest wartime military decoration.
Ashoka-chakra.png
Ashoka Chakra ribbon.svg 		Ashoka Chakra 195286Highest peacetime military decoration.
Iran Zulfaqar Medal.svg Zolfaghar Established 1856, renamed 1925Revived in 2019 when Major General Qasem Soleimani received the decoration, the first time it had been awarded since 1979. [4]
Ireland IRE Military Medal for Gallantry with Honour ribbon bar.png Military Medal for Gallantry Established 1944
Israel MedalofValor.jpg Medal of Valor 19 January 194840 [5] Replacement for the Hero of Israel.
None has been awarded since 1975. [5]
Italy Medaglia d'oro al valor militare.svg Gold Medal of Military Valour 21 May 1793
Latvia Viestura ordenis.jpg Order of Viesturs Established 11 August 1938,
discontinued 1940,
re-established 2004		Established in 1938 but discontinued after the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940. It was re-established in 2004. It is also awarded to civilians, in which case the ribbon is without swords.
Lithuania Cross of Vytis.jpg Order of the Cross of Vytis Established 30 July 1919,
discontinued 1940,
re-established 15 January 1991		 Presidential award conferred for heroic defence of Lithuania's freedom and independence. It was established in 1919 but discontinued after the Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1940, until it was re-established upon independence in 1991. It is also awarded to civilians.
Luxembourg Luxembourg Militay Medal obv.jpg Military Medal 3 August 1945 [6]
Malaysia Sri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa The Gallant and Valiant Warrior van Maleisie.jpg Grand Knight of Valour Established 29 July 196030The Grand Knight of Valour (Malay : Darjah Kebesaran Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa) [7] [8] [9] is the highest federal award which can be presented in Malaysia. It was created on 29 July 1960 and was gazetted on 11 August 1960. The award is the highest ranking in the list of the Malaysian Federal Ranking of Awards, and is ranked higher than the Order of the Royal Family of Malaysia (D.K.M.) awarded to Malaysian Royalty.|
Mexico Decoration for Heroic Valor
Mongolia MN Order Sukhe Bator.png Order of Sukhbaatar Established 16 May 1941
Morocco Ouissam Alaouite Grand Cordon Extraordinary grade AEA Collections.jpg Order of Ouissam Alaouite Established 11 January 1913
Myanmar Aung San Thuriya 1st.png Aung San Thiriya, 1st Class 19486
Namibia Namibian Cross for Bravery: Gold The Order of the Mukorob is also presented by the President of Namibia for meritorious military service.
Netherlands Militaire Willemsorde Ridder vierde klasse.jpg Military William Order 30 April 18155,875
New Zealand UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg The Victoria Cross for New Zealand 26 July 2007 [10] 1Replaced The Victoria Cross.
North Korea Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.svg Hero of the Republic Established 30 June 19506116Honorific title, originally created as Hero of the Korean People's Republic. Awarded for extreme heroic exploits during war. The recipient is also awarded with the Order of the National Flag 1st Class, which was the highest order until the Order of Kim Il-sung was created in 1972.
DPRK ribbon bar - Order of Soldier's Honor 1st Class.svg Soldier's Medal of Honour (first class)Established 1 July 1950Awarded for acts of individual gallantry in combat. [11] [12]
Norway Krigskorset.jpg The War Cross with Sword 28 November 1941285A new sword is awarded each time a person, who already has the War Cross, distinguishes him- or herself in battle. [13]
Pakistan Nishan-i-Haider-PAK.jpg Hilal-e-kashmir.jpg Nishan-e-Haider (Left) Hilal-e-Kashmir (Right)16 March 195711On 30 November 1995, the Government of Pakistan initiated the gazette notification to declare its Hilal-e-Kashmir equivalent to Nishan-e-Haider.

All awards have been made posthumously.

Peru Order of the Sun Ribbon.jpg Order of the Sun of Peru Established 8 October 1821,
discontinued 1825,
re-established 1921		Also the highest civilian award of Peru.
Philippines Philippine Medal of Valor ribbon.jpg Medal of Valor 15 November 193541
Poland Krzyz Zloty Orderu Virtuti Militari wz 1992.jpg Order of Virtuti Militari 22 June 1792Conferred in five classes. A wartime-only award.
Portugal
1891-5-29 cavaleiro T&E b.JPG
Order of the Tower and Sword 1459The Order of the Tower and Sword, as awarded by the Portuguese government today, comes in six classes
Romania Keerzijde van een modern kruis van de Orde van Michael de Dapppere.jpg Order of Michael the Brave Instated 26 September 1916
Disbanded 1948
Reinstated 23 July 2000		2,184None has been awarded since 1944.
Russia Hero of the Russian Federation medal.png Hero of the Russian Federation Honorific title for service to the Russian state and nation, usually connected with a heroic feat of valor; precedes all other Russian military and civil orders and medals.
St Georges Cross 1st class.jpg Order of St. George 26 November 1769 (O. S.), revived on 20 March 1992Highest military decoration of the Russian Federation.
Senegal Cross of Military Valor (Senegal) - ribbon bar.png Cross of Military Valor Established 1 February 1968
Serbia Orden Karadordeve zvezde prvog stepena.jpg Order of Karađorđe's Star Established 1 January 1904Originated in the Kingdom of Serbia and later awarded by the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. It continued to be awarded by the Yugoslav government-in-exile but was suppressed by the communist government of Yugoslavia, during which time the Order of Freedom was the highest military decoration. It was reinstated by the Republic of Serbia in 2010 as a military and civilian decoration, and also continues to be awarded as a dynastic order by the former royal family.
Singapore Bintang Temasek ribbon (from 1996).png Bintang Temasek Established 24 July 1970Singapore's highest national honour, awarded only to members of the Armed Forces, Police Force, and Civil Defence Force. Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters BT.
Somalia Star Order of the Start of Somalia.svg Order of the Somali Star 12 February 1961Highest distinction award for military gallantry of Somalia.
South Africa Ribbon - Nkwe ya Gauta.gif Nkwe ya Gauta - Golden Leopard Established 2003Introduced to replace the Honoris Crux Gold. The bilingual title is in Sesotho and English.
South Korea Taeguk Cordon Medal.png Order of Military Merit (Taegeuk class)
Spain LaureadaSanFernando.jpg Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand 1 January 1812 336
Sri Lanka Parama veera vibhushanaya.svg Parama Weera Vibhushanaya 199131Established in 1981. Recipients can use the post-nominal letters PWV.
Sweden Svardsorden.jpg Order of the Sword 1748Dormant between 1975 and February 2023, when it was re-introduced. During this time the Medal of Merit was the highest decoration awarded for action during combat.
Switzerland CHE CdA decoration.svg Award Ribbon for Exceptional Service Swiss law has prohibited citizens from accepting honours and titles since 1848; however, the Swiss military maintains a system of awards. Length of service decorations precede the exceptional service ribbon in the order of wear.
Taiwan (Republic of China) The Order of National Glory Awarded to Chiang Kai-Shek.jpg Order of National Glory Established 8 November 1937
Tanzania Medal for Bravery (Tanzania) - ribbon bar.png Medal for Bravery
Thailand Order of Rama 1st Class ribbon.svg Order of Rama Established 22 July 1918Conferred in six classes for military merit.
Turkey TURKISH ARMED FORCES MEDAL OF HONOUR.jpg Medal of Honor 1967
Uganda Order of Katonga (Uganda) - ribbon bar.png Order of Katonga 20042Awarded only twice; first to Muammar Gaddafi in 2004, and posthumously to Julius Nyerere in 2007.
Ukraine Gold star116.jpg Hero of Ukraine 26 November 1998692Highest national title that can be conferred by the President of Ukraine, granted to recipients of the civilian Order of the State and the military Order of the Gold Star
Medal of Golden Star Ukraine.jpg Order of the Gold Star Highest military order of Ukraine, awarded alongside the honorary title Hero of Ukraine.
United Kingdom Victoria Cross.jpg The Victoria Cross 26 June 1857 [14] 1357 [nb 1]
1354 [nb 2]
Insignia of Military GCB.jpg Order of the Bath 18 May 1725Second highest national order of the United Kingdom. It is conferred on both civilians and military personnel, with different insignia (Military illustrated).
United States Medalsofhonor2.jpg Medal of Honor 26 March 18633468 [nb 1] [15]
3449 [nb 2] 		Different types from each of the branches of the US military.

In the image, from left to right: The Army, the Coast Guard/Navy/Marine Corps, and the Air Force.

Uruguay Medalla al Merito Militar Oficial.png Medal of Military Merit Established 1991Introduced to replace the Order of Military Merit of the Companions of Artigas, which was discontinued in 1985.
Vietnam AHLLVTND2.png Hero of the People's Armed Forces Established 1955State Honourable Title awarded for outstanding achievements in combat, combat service, preservation of security, social order and safety, loyalty to the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam and possession of revolutionary virtues and qualities.
HCQC1.png The Military Exploit Order 15 May 1947Highest military Order, awarded to individuals who have recorded outstanding and brave exploits in combat, combat service, training, force building, consolidation of the all-people defense and people's security, or have sacrificed their lives heroically, setting bright examples in the whole country.
Zimbabwe Gold Cross of Zimbabwe - ribbon bar.png The Gold Cross of Zimbabwe Established October 19803Replaced the Grand Cross of Valour

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Total medals awarded.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Total recipients of the medal.

Related Research Articles

The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the British honours system, the George Cross, since its introduction in 1940, has been equal in stature to the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for valour. It is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger", not in the presence of the enemy, to members of the British armed forces and to British civilians. Posthumous awards have been allowed since it was instituted. It was previously awarded to residents of Commonwealth countries, most of which have since established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians including police, emergency services and merchant seamen. Many of the awards have been personally presented by the British monarch to recipients or, in the case of posthumous awards, to next of kin. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.

An order is a visible honour awarded by a sovereign state, monarch, dynastic house or organisation to a person, typically in recognition of individual merit, that often comes with distinctive insignia such as collars, medals, badges, and sashes worn by recipients.

The Cross of Valour was established in 1975 as the highest Australian Bravery Award. The awards were established as part of the institution of the Australian Honours System. The Cross of Valour has been awarded to five Australian civilians and, although there has been no Australian military recipient, they would be eligible in situations where normal honours to the military do not apply.

The orders, decorations, and medals of Canada comprise a complex system by which Canadians are honoured by the country's sovereign for actions or deeds that benefit their community or the country at large. Modelled on its British predecessor, the structure originated in the 1930s, but began to come to full fruition at the time of Canada's centennial in 1967, with the establishment of the Order of Canada, and has since grown in both size and scope to include dynastic and national orders, state, civil, and military decorations; and various campaign medals. The monarch in right of each Canadian province also issues distinct orders and medals to honour residents for work performed in just their province. The provincial honours, as with some of their national counterparts, grant the use of post-nominal letters and or supporters and other devices to be used on personal coats of arms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Cross (Canada)</span> Military decoration of Canada

The Victoria Cross was created in 1993, perpetuating the lineage of the British Victoria Cross, while serving as the highest award within the Canadian honours system, taking precedence over all other orders, decorations, and medals. It is awarded by either the Canadian monarch or his viceregal representative, the governor general of Canada, to any member of the Canadian Armed Forces or allies serving under or with Canadian military command for extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing hostile forces. The British Victoria Cross was recommended prior to the creation of the Canadian medal. The previous Victoria Cross remains the highest award of the United Kingdom honours system and was also awarded in other Commonwealth countries; although most, including Canada, later established their own honours systems and no longer recommended British honours.

The Grand Knight of Valour is the highest federal award available presented in Malaysia. It was created on 29 July 1960 and was gazetted on 11 August 1960. The award is the highest ranking in the list of the Malaysian Federal Ranking of Awards, and is ranked higher than the Order of the Royal Family of Malaysia (D.K.M.) awarded to Malaysian Royalty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parama Weera Vibhushanaya</span> Award

The Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) is Sri Lanka's highest military decoration, awarded for acts of exceptional valour in wartime. Parama Weera Vibhushanaya translates as the "Order of the Supreme Valour", and the award is granted for "individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order in the face of the enemy". Corporal Gamini Kularatne, was the first recipient. As of January 2021, the medal has been awarded 31 times, of which all were posthumous and arose from actions in the Sri Lankan Civil War. Of the 31 awardees, 28 have been from the Sri Lanka Army, two have been from the Sri Lanka Navy and one has been from the Sri Lanka Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Cross for New Zealand</span> Military decoration of the New Zealand Armed Forces

The Victoria Cross for New Zealand is a military decoration awarded for valour or gallantry in the presence of the enemy to members of the New Zealand Armed Forces. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and civilians under military command, and is presented to the recipient by the governor-general of New Zealand during an investiture held at Government House, Wellington. As the highest award for gallantry in New Zealand it takes precedence over all other postnominals and medals.

The Governor-General of Australia publishes the order of wearing of Australian orders, decorations and medals in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards was last published in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orders, decorations, and medals of Romania</span>

The National Decorations System of Romania is divided into six categories, listed below. It was re-established in 1998 after a 50-year period in which Romania used a Soviet-style system of decorations. It is very similar to the system used in Romania during the interwar period.

The Victoria Cross for Australia is the highest award in the Australian honours system, superseding the British Victoria Cross for issue to Australians. The Victoria Cross for Australia is the "decoration for according recognition to persons who in the presence of the enemy, perform acts of the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring or pre-eminent acts of valour or self-sacrifice or display extreme devotion to duty".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cross of Valour (Canada)</span> Courage award in Canada

The Cross of Valour is a decoration that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second-highest award, the highest honour available for Canadian civilians, and the highest of the three Canadian Bravery Decorations. Created in 1972, it is presented to individuals, both Canadian and foreign, living and deceased, who have performed acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril. Recipients are allowed to use the post-nominal letters CV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Cross</span> Highest military decoration for valour in the UK

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously awarded to service personnel in the broader British Empire, with most successor independent nations now having established their own honours systems and no longer recommending British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command. No civilian has received the award since 1879. Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British monarch. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valour Cross</span> Denmarks highest military award

The Valour Cross is the highest military decoration of Denmark. Established on 14 November 2011, and first awarded on 18 November 2011, it is awarded for outstanding acts of courage in combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medal of Honor</span> Highest award in the United States Armed Forces

The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. The medal is normally awarded by the president of the United States and is presented "in the name of the United States Congress." It is often colloquially referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The system of orders, decorations and medals of Uruguay consists of both military and civilian honours presented by the authorities of Uruguay with the purpose of recognising and rewarding actions or services considered praiseworthy.

References

  1. ↑ "Australian SAS soldier Mark Donaldson awarded Victoria Cross". The Australian . News Limited. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  2. ↑ "Dronningen overrækker nyt Tapperhedskors til hjemvendt soldat". Forsvaret.dk . Archived from the original on 2012-01-21. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  3. ↑ "Marsalkka Mannerheim – ritari numero 18". Kylkirauta (in Finnish). Kadettikunta. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  4. ↑ "General Soleimani receives Iran's highest Medal of Honor". Tehran Times. March 11, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Shoval, Lilach. "'Heroes' from Independence War mostly gone, but not forgotten". israelhayom.com. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "Actualités - Lëtzebuerger Arméi" (in French). Army.lu. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  7. ↑ Shanmugam, Narendran Indi (31 July 2010). "Grand Knight of Valour". Philatelynews.com. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "Grand Knight of Valour". Pos.com.my. 31 July 2010. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  9. ↑ "Stamp Gallery 2010". Pos.com.my. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  10. ↑ "Willie Apiata receives his VC". The New Zealand Herald. 26 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  11. ↑ Vreeland, Nena (1976). Area Handbook for North Korea. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 327.
  12. ↑ Weiser, Martin (8 January 2016). "Chests Full of Brass: A DPRK Political History in Orders, Medals, Prizes, and Titles". Sino-NK. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  13. ↑ "Direktiv for bruk og bæring av dekorasjoner, ordener og medaljer i Forsvaret Archived 2013-09-25 at the Wayback Machine ". Forsvaret.no. Retrieved 2013-08-16
  14. ↑ Herold, Stephen. "The First Presentation of the Victoria Cross". www.antiquesatoz.com. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "Medal of Honor Statistics" . Retrieved 15 July 2013.
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