Military Cross (Poland)

For other uses, see Military Cross (disambiguation).
Military Cross
Krzyż Wojskowy
Obverse of the medal with devices to indicate three awards
Awarded forTo members of the Polish Armed Forces or civilians for combat valour against an act of terror in Poland or while on an overseas mission.[1]
Country Poland
Presented bythe President of Poland
Eligibilitymilitary or civilian
Claspsdenotes subsequent awards
StatusCurrently awarded
Established14 June 2007
First awarded11 November 2007
Ribbon bar of the medal
Precedence
Next (higher)Cross of Valour
Next (lower)Cross of Merit for Bravery
RelatedOrder of the Military Cross
Military Cross of Merit

The Military Cross (Polish: Krzyż Wojskowy) is a military decoration awarded to soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, as well as civilians for meritorious actions against terrorism, or in peacekeeping and stabilization missions. It is the non-warlike equivalent of the Cross of Valour.[2]

History

The Military Cross was established by the Law of 14 June 2007, which amended the Act of 16 October 1992, concerning medals and decorations. This law saw the creation of the Military Cross along with the Military Cross of Merit, Navy Cross of Merit, Air Force Cross of Merit and the Medal for Long Service. The change was implemented on 9 October 2007. According to the previously mentioned law, "The Military Cross has the distinction of being the reward for acts of bravery and courage made during operations against acts of terrorism in the country, or during use of the Polish Armed Forces outside the country in time of peace." In the order of precedence of Polish medals it ranks behind the Cross of Valor and the Cross of Merit for Bravery.[3]

Eligibility

The Military Cross is an award presented by the President of Poland, on his own initiative or at the request of the Minister of Defence or the Minister of Internal Affairs. The president also has the right to revoke the award. The cross is to be awarded no later than three years after the end of combat operations, and may be awarded to any single person up to four times. The Military Cross may be awarded to soldiers, policemen, officers of the Internal Security Agency, Intelligence Agency, Military Intelligence Service, the Military Counterintelligence Service, the Central Anticorruption Bureau, the Border Guard, the Government Protection Bureau, and the State Fire Service.

Military Cross Ribbon Bars
1st award
2nd award
3rd award
4th award

See also

References

  1. ^ Megan C. Robertson (11 January 2009). "Poland Military Cross". Medals of the World. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  2. ^ Lukasz Gaszewski (2011). "Military Cross". Orders and Decorations of Poland. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  3. ^ Sejm of the Republic of Poland (14 June 2007). "Act of 14 June 2007 amending the Law on medals and decorations" (in Polish). Chancellery of the Sejm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.