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Polish Decorations: |
“Virtuti Militari”
History of the Medal:
The most prestigious Polish decoration. It is awarded for extraordinary military achievements. Instituted by King Stanislaw August Poniatowski on June 22, 1792, to commemorate the victorious Battle of Zielence, it initially comprised two classes: a golden medal for generals and officers, and a silver one for NCOs and ordinary soldiers.
In 1806 Lt. Gen. Prince Józef Poniatowski was promoted to commander in chief of all forces of the Duchy of Warsaw, the short-lived Polish nation allied with Napoleon I of France. As one of the first recipients of Virtuti Militari, Poniatowski insisted on reintroduction of the decoration. Finally on December 26, 1806, the King of Saxony and Duke of Warsaw Fryderyk August Wettin accepted the proposal and reintroduced Virtuti Militari as the highest military award for all the Polish soldiers fighting alongside France in the Napoleonic Wars. The official name of the decoration was changed to Military Medal of the Duchy of Warsaw , however the soldiers remained faithful to the former name. The royal decree also introduced a new class system, that has been in use ever since. The class of the cross depended on the rank of the soldier awarded with it:
Black enamel cross edged in gold, with crown, worn on sash, star on breast.
Black enamel cross in gold, with crown, worn at the neck. star on breast.
Black enamel cross (smaller), no crown.
Gold cross with black lettering. Worn on breast.
V Class - Silver Cross ( Krzyz Srebrny )
Silver cross with black lettering. Worn on breast.
Initially each of the high commanders of the Army had a quota of Virtuti Militari to be awarded to his soldiers. However, soon the system was changed and since then the order is usually awarded centrally, for individual acts of bravery, after being nominated by the chain of command. According to the decree of October 10, 1812, each of the recipients of a Golden or Silver Cross had a right to a yearly salary until promoted to officer or (if demobilised) for life. Also, during the Napoleonic Wars the present tradition of awarding the soldiers with Virtuti Militari in front of the unit was established.
Between 1806 and 1815 there were 2569 crosses awarded to Polish soldiers fighting on all fronts: from Santo Domingo to Russia and from Italy to Spain. Also, on May 20, 1809, Sergeant Joanna Zubr was the first woman to receive the decoration (V class) for her part in the assault on Zamosc.
I class – 2 awarded
II class – 10 awarded
III class – 504 awarded
IV class – 923 awarded
V class – 1130 awarded
Note of Issuing of the Medal:
Service Awards:
The service awards will be awarded by sole decision and responsibility of the CiC of the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego if he thinks that one of his fellow club comrades of the INWC did accomplish the set criteria.
Valor Awards:
Valor awards will be awarded by decision and responsibility of the CiC of the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego and the CiC of the Grande Armée if one of their fellow Grande Armée club comrades of the INWC did accomplish the set criteria
Military Order of the Duchy of WarsawI. Class - Grand Cross (with Star) ( Krzyz Wielki z Gwiazda) Eligible for the award of the I. Class will be as historically solely the Commander in Chief of the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego and fulfills below set criteria. This order is awarded for exemplary leadership of the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego documented by reaching: 3 years of continuous ACTIVE membership in the INWC Promotion to at least General de Corps 175 Command Points 35 victories or more to his credit of which at least 15 have to be a major victory |
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Military Order of the Duchy of WarsawII. Class - Commander's Cross ( Krzyz Komandorski) Eligible for the award of the II. Class will be solely Commanders of the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego and fulfill below set criteria. This order is awarded for exemplary leadership of an Army Unit of the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego documented by reaching: 3 years of continuous ACTIVE membership in the INWC Promotion to at least General de Division 150 Command Points 25 victories or more to ones credit of which at least 10 have to be a major victory |
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Military Order of the Duchy of WarsawIII. Class - Knight's Cross ( Krzyz Kawalerski) Eligible for the award of the III. Class will be solely Commanders of forces being allied to the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego and fulfill below set criteria. (Polish corps members are excluded from III. class awards as they will have to fulfill the criterias for the II. class) This order is awarded for exemplary leadership of an Army Unit in the Grande Armée documented by reaching: 3 years of continuous ACTIVE membership in the INWC Promotion to at least General de Brigade for Commanders of the French Imperial Army or equivalent rank for french allied troop contingents. 125 Command Points 25 victories or more to ones credit of which at least 10 have to be a major victory |
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Military Order of the Duchy of WarsawIV. Class - Golden Cross ( Krzyz Zloty ) Eligible for the award of the IV. Class will be solely Commanders of/or being allied to the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego and fulfill below set criteria. This order is awarded for more than outstanding service to the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego headquarter, and/or for more than outstanding service to the INWC. (Can be awarded also for club-externals) |
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Military Order of the Duchy of WarsawV. Class - Silver Cross ( Krzyz Srebrny ) Eligible for the award of the V. Class will be solely Commanders of foreign forces being enemy to the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego and fulfill below set criteria. This order is awarded for more than outstanding service to the Armia Ksiestwa Warszawskiego headquarter, and/or for more than outstanding service to the INWC. (Can be awarded also for club-externals) |
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