Virtuti Militari

The Order of Virtuti Militari (Latin: "For Military Valor") is Poland's highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy. Foreign decorations equivalent to the Virtuti Militari include Britain's Victoria Cross and the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor.

Related Topics:
Latin - Poland's - Military decoration - Valor - Britain's - Victoria Cross - U.S. - Congressional Medal of Honor

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Awarded in five classes, the order was created in 1792 by Poland's King Stanis?aw August Poniatowski. Soon after its introduction, however, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was destroyed (1795) in the partitions of Poland, and the partitioning powers abolished the decoration and prohibited its wearing. Since then, it has been reintroduced, renamed and banned several times, with its fate closely reflecting the vicissitudes of the Polish people. Throughout the decoration's existence, thousands of soldiers and officers, Polish and foreign, several cities and one ship have been awarded the Virtuti Militari for valor or outstanding leadership in war. There have been no new awards since 1989.

Related Topics:
1792 - Poland's King - Stanis?aw August Poniatowski - Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - 1795 - Partitions of Poland - 1989

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