Order of Virtuti Militari
Grand Cross of Virtuti Militari
Awarded by Republic of Poland
Type	Five classes
Eligibility	Military personnel
Awarded for	Military virtue
Status	Currently awarded
Statistics
Established	June 22, 1792
First awarded	1792
Last awarded	1989
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of the White Eagle
Next (lower)	Order of Polonia Restituta
Related	United States Medal of Honor British Commonwealth Victoria Cross

The Order Virtuti Militari (Latin for "For Military Virtue") was created in 1792 and is Poland's highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy and one of the oldest military decorations in the world still in use. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Order of the White Eagle (Order Orła Białego is Poland 's highest decoration awarded to both civilians and the military for their merits The Order of Polonia Restituta (Order Odrodzenia Polski Order of Poland Reborn is one of Poland 's highest Orders. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland A military decoration is a decoration given to Military personnel or units for Heroism in battle or distinguished service Gallantry redirects here Or see Gallant for other meanings Courage, also known as bravery, will, intrepidity Some of the heroic actions recognized by an award of the Virtuti Militari are equivalent to those meriting the Commonwealth's Victoria Cross, and the U.S. Medal of Honor. See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is awarded either for personal heroism or to commanders for leadership.

Awarded in five classes, the order was created in 1792 by Poland's King Stanisław August Poniatowski. Poland, or at least its nucleus was ruled at various times either by książęta (Dukes(ca Stanisław II August Poniatowski (born Count Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski; January 17 1732 – February 12 1798 was the last King 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. The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, officially the Commonwealth of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania also known as the Most Serene Republic The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Since then, the award 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.

Beginnings

Medals Virtuti Militari 1792

Throughout its history, the Virtuti Militari has shared its country's fate, and has been abolished and reintroduced several times.

The order was originally created on June 22, 1792, by King Stanisław August Poniatowski to commemorate the victorious Battle of Zieleńce. Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Poland, or at least its nucleus was ruled at various times either by książęta (Dukes(ca Stanisław II August Poniatowski (born Count Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski; January 17 1732 – February 12 1798 was the last King The Battle of Zieleńce was a battle in the War in Defense of the Constitution (the Polish Constitution of May 3 1791) Initially, it comprised two classes: a golden medal for generals and officers, and a silver one for non-commissioned officers and ordinary soldiers. Gold (ˈɡoʊld is a Chemical element with the symbol Au (from its Latin name aurum) and Atomic number 79 An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority Silver (ˈsɪlvɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol " Ag " (argentum from the Ancient Greek: ἀργήντος - argēntos gen A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer) also known as an NCO or Noncom, is an enlisted member of an Armed force By August 1792, a statute for the decoration had been drafted, which was based on one that was created for the Austrian medal of Empress Maria Theresa. Habsburg Monarchy (alternatively Habsburg Empire) refers to the territories ruled by the Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg, and then by the successor Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia see also names in other languages; May 13, 1717 November 29 1780) was the Archduchess regnant The regulation changed the shape of the decoration from a star to a cross, which has not changed substantially since then. It also introduced five classes to the order.

1. Grand Cross with Star
2. Commander's Cross
3. Knight's Cross
4. Golden Medal
5. Silver Medal

The first members of the decoration's chapter were also its first recipients. For the Polish-Russian War in Defence of the Constitution of 1792, a total of 63 officers and 290 NCOs and privates were awarded the Virtuti Militari. The statute was never fully implemented, however, since soon after its introduction the King acceded to the Targowica Confederation, which on August 29, 1792 abolished the decoration and prohibited its wearing. The Targowica Confederation (Konfederacja targowicka was a konfederacja of Polish and Lithuanian Magnates agreed upon on 27 April 1792 in Events 708 - Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese date: August 10, 708) Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Anyone who wore the medal could be demoted and expelled from the army by Poland's new authorities.

Józef Poniatowski

Although on November 23, 1793 the Grodno Sejm reintroduced the decoration, it was banned again on January 7, 1794, at the insistence of Russia's Catherine the Great. Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 1793 ( MDCCXCIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Grodno Sejm (Sejm grodzieński Gardino seimas was the last Sejm (session of parliament of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 1794 ( MDCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Catherine II, called Catherine the Great (Екатерина II Великая Yekaterina II Velikaya;) reigned as Empress of Russia for 34 years Only a year later, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth itself shared the fate of its decoration when what remained of the Commonwealth was annexed by its neighbors in the partitions of Poland. The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, officially the Commonwealth of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania also known as the Most Serene Republic The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the King Stanisław August Poniatowski abdicated the same year. Stanisław II August Poniatowski (born Count Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski; January 17 1732 – February 12 1798 was the last King During his reign, 526 medals had been granted: 440 Silver Medals and Crosses, 85 Golden Medals and Crosses, and 1 Commander's Cross.

Among the most famous recipients of the Virtuti Militari in this period were Prince Józef Antoni Poniatowski (1763–1813) and Tadeusz Kościuszko (1746–1817), both able military commanders during the War in Defense of the Constitution and the Kościuszko Uprising. Prince, from the Latin root Princeps, is a general term for a Monarch, for a member of a monarch's or former monarch's family and is a Early Austrian years war with Turkey Prince Józef Antoni Poniatowski was born in Vienna, Austria in the Palais Kinsky (others say he was actually Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko (; 1746 &ndash 1817 was a Polish and American national hero and general The Kościuszko Uprising was an uprising led by Tadeusz Kościuszko in Poland and Lithuania in 1794

Duchy of Warsaw

In 1806, Lt. Early Austrian years war with Turkey Prince Józef Antoni Poniatowski was born in Vienna, Austria in the Palais Kinsky (others say he was actually Events 138 - The Emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, effectively making him his successor Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Louis-Nicolas d'Avout ( May 10, 1770 &ndash June 1, 1823) better known as Davout, 1st Duc d' Auerstaedt Events 238 - Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed Roman emperor. Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year This is an article about the 19th century general For a 20th century one see Józef Zając. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 1808 ( MDCCCVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Jan Henryk Dąbrowski (b August 2 1755 in Pierzchowice, Poland &ndash d Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of Year 1808 ( MDCCCVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Karol Otto Kniaziewicz ( May 4, 1762 in Assiten, Courland – May 9, 1842 in Paris was a Polish general and Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Year 1812 ( MDCCCXII) a leap year started on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Michał Sokolnicki (1760-1816 was a Polish nobleman (of Nowina coat of arms) general military engineer politician and writer Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Józef Chłopicki (March 14 1771 &ndash September 30 1854 was a Polish general who was involved in fighting in Europe at the time of Napoleon and later Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus" Year 1810 ( MDCCCX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Year 1812 ( MDCCCXII) a leap year started on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Gen. Prince Józef Poniatowski was promoted to commander-in-chief of all forces of the Duchy of Warsaw, the short-lived Polish state allied with Napoleon I of France. Early Austrian years war with Turkey Prince Józef Antoni Poniatowski was born in Vienna, Austria in the Palais Kinsky (others say he was actually The Duchy of Warsaw (Księstwo Warszawskie Duché de Varsovie Herzogtum Warschau Варшавское герцогство was a Polish state established by Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. As one of the first recipients of the Virtuti Militari, Poniatowski insisted on the 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 the Virtuti Militari as the highest military award for all Polish soldiers fighting alongside France in the Napoleonic Wars. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Year 1806 ( MDCCCVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common This article lists Dukes Electors and Kings ruling over territories named Saxony from the beginning of the Saxon Duchy in the 9th century to the end of the Saxon Kingdom in 1918 The Dukes of Masovia were a line of the Piast Dynasty who ruled in Masovia. For the king of Poland see Augustus I of Poland Frederick Augustus I (full name Frederick Augustus Joseph Maria Anton Johann Nepomuk Aloys Xavier) (Friedrich This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815 involved Napoleon's French Empire and a shifting set of European allies and opposing coalitions The official name of the decoration was changed to the Military Medal of the Duchy of Warsaw; however, soldiers remained faithful to the former name. The royal decree also introduced a new class system that has been in use ever since, with the class of the cross depending on the rank of the soldier to whom it is awarded:

1. I Class - Grand Cross (with Star) (Krzyż Wielki z Gwiazdą, for commanders in chief)
2. II Class - Commander's Cross (Krzyż Komandorski, for division commanders)
3. III Class - Knight's Cross (Krzyż Kawalerski, for brigadiers, colonels and majors)
4. IV Class - Golden Cross (Krzyż Złoty)
5. V Class - Silver Cross (Krzyż Srebrny)

Józef Chłopicki

Initially each of the high commanders of the Army had a quota of Virtuti Militari to be awarded to his soldiers. A quota share is a specified number or percentage of the allotment as a whole ( Quota) that is prescribed to each individual entity (see Non-tariff barriers to trade However, the system was soon changed and, since then, the order has been usually awarded centrally for individual acts of bravery after being nominated by the chain of command. Gallantry redirects here Or see Gallant for other meanings Courage, also known as bravery, will, intrepidity In a Military context the chain of command is the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed within a Military unit and between different According to the decree of October 10, 1812, each of the recipients of a Golden or Silver Cross had the right to a yearly salary until promoted to officer or (if demobilised) for life. Events 680 - Battle of Karbala: Shia Imam Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is decapitated Year 1812 ( MDCCCXII) a leap year started on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Demob redirects here For the television series see Demob (TV series. In addition, during the Napoleonic Wars, the present tradition of awarding the soldiers with the Virtuti Militari in front of the unit was established. The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815 involved Napoleon's French Empire and a shifting set of European allies and opposing coalitions 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. Santo Domingo de Guzmán (known as Santo Domingo population 2084852 (Metro (2003 estimated 2253437 (Metro in 2006 is the Capital and largest city in the Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

Among the famous recipients of the medal in this period were General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski (1755–1818), the organiser of Polish Legions during the Napoleonic Wars, for whom the Polish national anthem Mazurek Dąbrowskiego is named, and General Józef Chłopicki (1771–1854). Jan Henryk Dąbrowski (b August 2 1755 in Pierzchowice, Poland &ndash d Polish Legions, during the Napoleonic Period, were collectively several Polish units serving in the French army from the 1790s to 1810s The term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music (in Music theory and religious contexts or more generally a song (or composition of Mazurek Dąbrowskiego (ma'zurɛk dɔmbrɔf'skʲɛgɔ " Dąbrowski's Mazurka " is the National anthem of Poland. Józef Chłopicki (March 14 1771 &ndash September 30 1854 was a Polish general who was involved in fighting in Europe at the time of Napoleon and later Also, on May 20, 1809, Sergeant Joanna Żubr became the first woman to receive the decoration (V class) for her part in the assault on Zamość. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Joanna Żubr (ca 1770 - 1852 was a Polish soldier of the Napoleonic Wars, veteran of the Polish-Austrian War and the first woman to receive the Virtuti Zamość is a town in southeastern Poland with 66633 inhabitants (2004 situated in the Lublin Voivodeship (since 1999

Congress Poland

In 1815 at the Congress of Vienna, when European powers reorganised Europe following the Napoleonic wars, the Kingdom of Poland - known unofficially as the Congress Poland - was created. Jan Zygmunt Skrzynecki (1787-1860 was a Polish general Commander-in-Chief of the November Uprising (1830-1831 The Battle of Dębe Wielkie was fought on March 31, 1831. The Polish army led by Jan Skrzynecki, won a victory over a Russian commanded The Congress of Vienna was a conference of ambassadors of the major powers of Europe, chaired by the Austrian statesman Clemens Wenzel von Metternich Congress Poland Kongresówka, officially and formally Kingdom of Poland (Królestwo Polskie {{IPA-pl|'|p|o|l|s|kʲ|e}} Царство Польское Tsarstvo Polskoye This state, with one-tenth the area of the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth, and a fifth of its population, was now tied to Russia with a personal union. A personal union is the combination by which two different States are governed by the same Monarch, while their boundaries their laws and their interests remain distinct In the Congress Poland, the Virtuti Militari medal was renamed as the Polish Military Medal (Medal Wojskowy Polski). Both the statute of Virtuti Militari and the privileges granted to the recipients were preserved. A special commission was created to award the Virtuti Militari to veterans of the Napoleonic campaigns of 1812, 1813 and 1814. By 1820, an additional 1213 crosses of all classes were awarded. Also, on June 5, 1817, the royal decree ennobled all officers that received the Golden Cross. Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem Year 1817 ( MDCCCXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Ennoblement is the conferring of Nobility —the induction of an individual into the noble class.

At the time, the Kingdom of Poland was one of the few contemporary constitutional monarchies in Europe, with the Tsar of the Russian Empire as Polish King. A constitutional monarchy, or a limited monarchy, is a form of Constitutional Government, wherein either an elected or hereditary Monarch is Tsar csar and tzar redirect here For other uses see Tsar (disambiguation. The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya The country was given one of the most liberal constitutions in 19th-century Europe, although it was very different from the Polish Constitution of May 3rd of the late Commonwealth. The Constitution of May 3 1791 (Konstytucja Trzeciego Maja Gegužės trečiosios konstitucija Канстытуцыя трэцьега траўня is generally recognized as The Polish desire for freedom and respect for their privileges was a source of constant friction between them and the Russians. The main problem was that the tsars, who had absolute power in Russia, similarly wanted no restrictions on their rule in Poland. When in 1825 Nicholas I declined to crown himself King of Poland and instead continued to limit Polish liberties, the Polish parliament in 1830 deposed the Tsar as King of Poland in response to his repeated curtailment of its constitutional rights. Poland, or at least its nucleus was ruled at various times either by książęta (Dukes(ca Poland, or at least its nucleus was ruled at various times either by książęta (Dukes(ca When the November Uprising broke out, the Tsar reacted by sending in Russian troops. The November Uprising (1830&ndash1831&mdashalso known as the Cadet Revolution &mdashwas an armed rebellion against the rule of the Russian Empire in Poland

After the outbreak of this uprising against Russia, the Polish Sejm decreed on February 19, 1831 that the decoration be restored to its original name, the "Order Virtuti Militari. The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Year 1831 ( MDCCCXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a " Between March 3 and October the same year, 3,863 crosses were awarded. Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Recipients of the Silver Cross included three women:

• head surgeon of the 10th Line Infantry Regiment, Józefa Kluczycka;
• surgeon's assistant in the 10th Line Infantry Regiment, Józefa Daniel Rostowska née Mazurkiewicz; and
• cadet in the 1st "Augustów" Cavalry Regiment, Bronisława Czarnowska. Surgery (from the χειρουργική cheirourgikē, via chirurgiae meaning "hand work" is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental Augustów is a town in north-eastern Poland with 29600 inhabitants (1995

After the defeat of the uprising, Tsar Nicholas I abolished the decoration and banned its use. On December 31, 1831, it was replaced with the "Polish Sign of Honor" (Polski Znak Honorowy), an exact copy of the original cross but awarded only to Russians for services to the Tsarist authorities. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1831 ( MDCCCXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a

Republic of Poland

Józef Haller

After Poland regained her independence in 1918 as the Second Republic of Poland, the Polish Sejm reintroduced the Virtuti Militari on August 1, 1919 under a new official name, the Military Award Virtuti Militari (Order Wojskowy Virtuti Militari). Mieczysław Sylwester Garsztka ( December 31, 1896 - June 10, 1919) was a Polish pilot a Flying ace of the German Józef Haller de Hallenburg (August 13 1873 in Jurczyce - June 4 1960 in London was a Lieutenant General of the Polish Army, legionary in Polish The Second Polish Republic or interwar Poland is the Republic of Poland between World War I and World War II. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common A new statute of the decoration was also passed, and the class system introduced during the times of the Duchy of Warsaw was reintroduced. The Duchy of Warsaw (Księstwo Warszawskie Duché de Varsovie Herzogtum Warschau Варшавское герцогство was a Polish state established by Napoleon According to the new statute, crosses of each class could be awarded to a different class of soldiers and for various deeds:

• Grand Cross with Star, I Class: "for a commander who has achieved victory in a battle of strategic importance, resulting in total defeat of the enemy, or a successful defense that has decided the fate of a campaign. "
• Commander's Cross, II Class: "for a commander who has achieved a notable tactical victory or a valorous and successful defense of a difficult position. "
• Knight's Cross - III Class - For officers, NCOs or ordinary soldiers, awarded previously with the Golden Cross, for acts of outstanding bravery, risk of life or outstanding command over his troops
• Golden Cross - IV Class - For officers who commanded their troops with outstanding bravery and valor or for NCOs and ordinary soldiers previously awarded with the Silver Cross, for acts of outstanding bravery and risk of life on the field of battle
• Silver Cross - V Class - For officers, NCOs or ordinary soldiers, for acts of outstanding bravery and risk of life on the field of battle

Each recipient of the Virtuti Militari, regardless of rank or post, received a yearly salary of 300 złotys. The złoty (/ˈzwɔtɨ/, plural for numbers ending in 2 3 and 4 (except 12 13 and 14 złote /ˈzwɔtɛ/ plural for all other numbers złotych /ˈzwɔtɨx/

Other privileges included the right of pre-emption when buying a state-owned land property or applying for a state post. Their children had additional points during exams in state schools and universities. In addition, the recipients of the Virtuti Militari had a right to be saluted by other soldiers of equal rank and NCOs and ordinary soldiers could be promoted one rank up upon receiving the award.

Coat-of-arms of city of Lwów, with Virtuti Militari pendent

The new chapter of the decoration (Kapituła Orderu Virtuti Militari) was composed of 12 of the recipients of the crosses, four from each of the classes from I to IV. Lviv ( Ukrainian: Львів, L’viv, Lwów Lemberg Львов L'vov; see also other names) is a major city in western The headperson of the chapter was Marshal of Poland Józef Piłsudski, the only living Pole awarded with the Grand Cross with Star. Marshal of Poland ( Marszałek Polski) is the highest rank in the Polish Army. As the commander-in-chief of the Polish Army, he could award medals of classes I to III with the consent of the Chapter and the IV and V class upon receiving an application from the commander of a division or brigade. A commander-in-chief is the Commander of a nation's Military forces or significant element of those forces Polish Land Forces (Wojska Lądowe RP is a branch of Poland 's Armed Forces. The Polish national feast of May 3 was chosen as the feast of the Virtuti Militari. Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João

On January 1, 1920, Piłsudski awarded the first crosses to 11 members of a Provisional Chapter. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar On January 22, 1920, to commemorate the anniversary of the outbreak of the January Uprising, the first soldiers and officers were officially decorated with the Virtuti Militari for their deeds during the World War I and the Polish-Ukrainian War. Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar The January Uprising ( Polish: powstanie styczniowe, Lithuanian: 1863 m World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All By 1923, when the award of new medals was halted, the Chapter had awarded the crosses to 6589 recipients. Most of the recipients were veterans of the Polish-Bolshevik War, but among them were also the veterans of all wars in which Polish soldiers fought in the 20th century, as well as some January Uprising veterans. The January Uprising ( Polish: powstanie styczniowe, Lithuanian: 1863 m Among the recipients of the Silver Cross were two cities - Lwów and Verdun, as well as the banners of 14 infantry regiments, 6 cavalry regiments, an engineer battalion, a Women's Auxiliary Service unit and 12 units of artillery. Lviv ( Ukrainian: Львів, L’viv, Lwów Lemberg Львов L'vov; see also other names) is a major city in western Verdun (medieval Wirten official name before 1970 Verdun-sur-Meuse) is a city and commune

On November 24, 1922, a new Chapter was chosen for times of peace. Events 380 - Theodosius I makes his adventus, or formal Year 1922 ( MCMXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The following year, the last medal for World War I and the Polish-Bolshevik War was granted and further decorations were halted. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All On March 25, 1933, the Sejm passed a new Virtuti Militari Act (Ustawa o Orderze Virtuti Militari) which modified the shape of all the crosses and extended the privileges granted to VM recipients by the previous act of 1919. Events 1199 - Richard I is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France which leads to his death on April 6. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. All recipients of the decoration had the right to buy railway tickets at 20% of their normal price. In addition, the state paid for their health care and was obliged to provide them with jobs that would enable Virtuti Militari recipients to live a decent life. For war invalids, the government was ordered to provide money, food and clothing for the rest of their lives. Finally, the annual salary of 300 złotys was tax-free and could not be impounded by the courts.

Józef Piłsudski

Also, the criteria for granting the crosses became more strict:

• Grand Cross - I Class - for the commander-in-chief who won a war or, alternatively, for commanders of armies or fronts who achieved outstanding victories during various campaigns of the war
• Commander's Cross - II Class - for commander of army or front (under special circumstances also commander of a group, division or brigade) for brave and daring command during an operation, which had important influence on the outcome of the war, or for other officers who contributed to the victory
• Knight's Cross - III Class - For commanders of units up to the size of an army, for their outstanding leadership, initiative or bravery. A commander-in-chief is the Commander of a nation's Military forces or significant element of those forces Operational Group (Grupa Operacyjna abbreviated GO) was the highest level of tactical division of the Polish Army before and during World War II and the Alternatively for staff officers for their cooperation with their commanders, that led to the final victory in a battle or war
• Golden Cross - IV Class - For a soldier or officer, who was previously awarded with the Silver Cross and achieved an outstanding success on the battlefield thanks to his personal bravery or outstanding command of a division or a smaller unit
• Silver Cross - V Class - for commanders who committed a daring and valorous command over their troops or for ordinary soldiers who influenced their comrades in arms by their bravery thus adding to the final victory in a battle

The Silver Cross could also be awarded to military units, cities and civilians. All classes of the Virtuti Militari medal were awarded by the commander-in-chief during the war or former commander-in-chief after the end of hostilities. The classes from I to III were awarded after a nomination by the Chapter, while the IV and V classes were nominated by the chain of command (usually by the commander of a division or brigade). Apart from the 12 members of the Chapter, all recipients of the I class had a right to take part in the voting.

World War II

During the Polish Defensive War of 1939, the fast German and Soviet advance prevented the Chapter from awarding the medals, especially as Poland's territory was overrun by enemies five weeks after the Invasion of Poland began. The Invasion of Poland (1939 precipitated World War II. It was carried out by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small German-allied The Invasion of Poland (1939 precipitated World War II. It was carried out by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small German-allied Instead, commanders of divisions and brigades usually awarded the bravery of their soldiers with their own crosses received before the war. This was the case of the 18th Pomeranian Uhlans Regiment, awarded with the Virtuti Militari of General Stanisław Grzmot-Skotnicki after the battle of Krojanty, where elements of 18th Uhlans Regiment successfully delayed the advance of the German infantry on September 1, the first day of the Second World War. Stanisław Grzmot-Skotnicki ( 1894-1939 was a Polish military commander and a General of the Polish Army. The Charge battle or skirmish of Krojanty was a Cavalry charge that happened during the Invasion of Poland in the Second World War. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

Following the fall of Poland in 1939, a large part of the Polish Army was evacuated to France, where it was reconstructed under the command of General Władysław Sikorski. Lieutenant-General Władysław Anders (August 11 1892 &ndashMay 12 1970 was a General in the Polish General Stanisław Maczek ( March 31, 1892 &ndash December 11, 1994) was the most Bolesław Bronisław Duch (1885-1980 was a Polish Major General. Tadeusz Kutrzeba ( 15 April 1885 - 8 January 1947) was an army General of the Second Polish Franciszek Kleeberg ( February 1, 1888 in Tarnopol - April 5, 1941 near Dresden) was a Polish general Gen Antoni Chruściel ( Nom de guerre Monter; 1895-1960 was a Polish military officer Wilhelm Orlik-Rueckemann (sometimes referred to as Wilhelm Rückemann; 1894-1986 was a Polish general military commander and one of the pioneers of armoured Warsaw (Warszawa; also known by other names) is the Capital and Largest city of Poland. Events 694 - Egica, a king of the Visigoths of Hispania, accuses Jews of aiding Muslims sentencing all Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The 1939 Battle of Warsaw was fought between the Polish Warsaw Army ( Armia Warszawa) garrisoned and entrenched in the Capital This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Władysław Eugeniusz Sikorski (May 20 1881 – July 4 1943 pronounced) was a Polish military and political leader In January 1941, the Polish Government in Exile introduced the Virtuti Militari as the highest military decoration of the Polish Army in exile. The Government of the Polish Republic in Exile was the government of Poland after the country had been occupied by Germany and the Soviet Union during September–October The legal basis for the election of a new Chapter was the Act of 1933. During the Second World War, the Virtuti Militari was also often bestowed to senior military officers of allied armies, including British General Bernard Montgomery, United States Supreme Commander of the Allied forces Dwight D. Eisenhower, French General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny and Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC, (məntˈgʌmərɪ əv ˈæləmeɪn The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In general allies are people groups or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Jean Joseph Marie Gabriel de Lattre de Tassigny ( 2 February 1889 &ndash 11 January 1952) was a French military hero of World The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991

General Sikorski decorates pilots of the Polish 303rd Squadron, the most combat-effective Allied squadron in the Battle of Britain. Władysław Eugeniusz Sikorski (May 20 1881 – July 4 1943 pronounced) was a Polish military and political leader RAF No 303 "Kościuszko" Polish Fighter Squadron ( Warszawski Dywizjon im The Battle of Britain (German ''Luftschlacht um England'' is the name given to the sustained strategic effort by the German Luftwaffe during the summer and Here he decorates ace Jan Zumbach. Jan Eugeniusz Ludwig Zumbach ( 14 April 1915, Ursynów, Congress Poland, Russian Empire &ndash 3 January 1986

Among the most famous recipients of the medal during this period were Tadeusz Kutrzeba, creator of the Bzura counterattack plan and participant in the defence of Warsaw during the Invasion of Poland; Władysław Anders, commander of the 2nd Polish Corps; Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski, commander of giant Armia Krajowa resistance movement and leader of the Warsaw Uprising; and Stanisław Maczek, one of the best armor commanders of the war, who devised the first anti-blitzkrieg strategy as early as 1940 and was the commander of the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade, considered to be the only Polish unit not to lose a single battle in 1939, and from 1942 the commander of the First Polish Armoured Division. Tadeusz Kutrzeba ( 15 April 1885 - 8 January 1947) was an army General of the Second Polish The Battle of the Bzura (or Kutno or Battle of Kutno - German name was a battle in the opening campaign of World War II during the 1939 The 1939 Battle of Warsaw was fought between the Polish Warsaw Army ( Armia Warszawa) garrisoned and entrenched in the Capital The Invasion of Poland (1939 precipitated World War II. It was carried out by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small German-allied Lieutenant-General Władysław Anders (August 11 1892 &ndashMay 12 1970 was a General in the Polish Polish II Corps (Drugi Korpus Wojska Polskiego 1943&ndash1947 was a major tactical and operational unit of the Polish Armed Forces in the West General Count Tadeusz Komorowski ( Korczak Coat of Arms) (June 1 1895 - August 24 1966 better known by the name Bór-Komorowski (after one of his wartime code-names A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups dedicated to fighting an Invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign nation The Warsaw Uprising ( Powstanie Warszawskie) was a World War II struggle by the Polish Home Army ( Armia Krajowa) to liberate Warsaw General Stanisław Maczek ( March 31, 1892 &ndash December 11, 1994) was the most Blitzkrieg (German for "lightning war" is a popular name for an Offensive operational-level Military doctrine which involves an initial The Polish 1st Armoured Division ( Polish 1 Dywizja Pancerna) was an Allied military unit during World War II, created in February 1942 at

People's Republic of Poland

The Soviet-backed Polish Armies fighting on the Eastern Front were also awarding the Virtuti Militari. The People's Republic of Poland or Polish People's Republic ( Polish: Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa, PRL Russian Marshal of the Soviet Union ( Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza Советского Союза'' was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. Marshal of Poland ( Marszałek Polski) is the highest rank in the Polish Army. Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovskiy (Рокоссо́вский Константи́н Константи́нович Konstanty Ksawerowicz Rokossowski ( &ndash August 3 1968 was Marshal of Poland ( Marszałek Polski) is the highest rank in the Polish Army. Michał Żymierski (true name Michał Łyżwiński, pseudonym Rola; 1890&ndash1989 was an avowed communist Polish military officer and communist Aleksei Innokentievich Antonov (Алексей Иннокентьевич Антонов 9 September 1896 - 16 June 1962) was a General The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Marshal of the Soviet Union ( Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza Советского Союза'' was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) See also Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Yugoslavia ( Serbo-Croatian Nikolai Alexandrovich Bulganin (Никола́й Алекса́ндрович Булга́нин Nikolaj Aleksandrovič Bulganin; – February 24 1975 Marshal of the Soviet Union ( Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza Советского Союза'' was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. Andrei Antonovich Grechko (Андре́й Анто́нович Гречко́ October 17, 1903 &ndash April 26, 1976) Soviet Marshal of the Soviet Union ( Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza Советского Союза'' was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. Ivan Stepanovich Konev ( Ива́н Степа́нович Ко́нев ( &ndash May 21, 1973) was a Soviet military commander who led Red Marshal of the Soviet Union ( Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza Советского Союза'' was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Vasilevsky (Алекса́ндр Миха́йлович Василе́вский &ndash December 5 1977 was a Soviet military commander promoted Marshal of the Soviet Union ( Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza Советского Союза'' was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. This is a list of Field Marshals of the United Kingdom, with their respective years of appointment Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC, (məntˈgʌmərɪ əv ˈæləmeɪn Ludvík Svoboda (born November 25 1895, Hroznatín, Moravia - died September 20 1979, Prague) was a Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Karol Świerczewski (callsign Walter) (born on 22 February 1897 in Warsaw, died on 28 March 1947 at Jabłonki Stanislav Gilyarovich Poplavsky (Станислав Гилярович Поплавский Stanisław Popławski) ( April 22, 1902 &mdash August Juliusz Rómmel ( Baron Julius Karl Wilhelm Josef von Rommel born June 3 1881 in Grodno - died September 8 1967 in Warsaw) was a Polish Karol Świerczewski (callsign Walter) (born on 22 February 1897 in Warsaw, died on 28 March 1947 at Jabłonki Henryk Sucharski (1898–1946 was a Polish military officer and a major in the Polish Army. Marian Spychalski (nickname "Marek"(1906-1980 was a Polish soldier and communist politician born in The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The Eastern Front of World War II (die Ostfront 1941-1945, der Rußlandfeldzug 1941-1945 (Russian campaign or der Ostfeldzug 1941-1945 (Eastern Campaign On November 11, 1943, General Zygmunt Berling awarded 16 veterans of the Battle of Lenino with Silver Crosses. Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Zygmunt Henryk Berling ( 27 April 1896 - 11 July 1980) Polish General and Politician, best known as the commander The battle of Lenino was a tactical World War II engagement that took place from 12 October to 13 October 1943 as part of the Spas-Demyansk On December 22, 1944, the Soviet-backed PKWN passed a Virtuti Militari Award Act, in which it accepted the medal as the highest military decoration of both the 1st Polish Army of Red Army and the Armia Ludowa resistance organization. Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Polish Committee of National Liberation ( Polish Polski Komitet Wyzwolenia Narodowego, PKWN) also known as the Lublin Committee, was a The Polish First Army (Pierwsza Armia Wojska Polskiego 1 AWP for short was a Polish Army unit formed in the Soviet Union in 1944 from previously existing Polish I Corps The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya Armia Ludowa ( AL, pronounced lu'dɔva English People's Army) was a partisan force set up by the Polish Workers' Party during

Bridge of ORP Błyskawica decorated with Virtuti Militari. Operational history Two days before the war on 30 August 1939, the Błyskawica withdrew along with Grom and Burza

Although the decree of the PKWN was loosely based on the act of the Polish Sejm of 1933, the exclusive right to award soldiers with the medal was granted to the Home National Council. The Polish Committee of National Liberation ( Polish Polski Komitet Wyzwolenia Narodowego, PKWN) also known as the Lublin Committee, was a Krajowa Rada Narodowa in Polish (translated as State National Council or Homeland National Council, abbreviated to KRN was a Parliament -like Since 1947 the right was passed to the President of Poland and, after the replacement of the post with the Council of State, it was passed to that body. The President of the Republic of Poland ( Polish: Prezydent Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, shorter form Prezydent RP) is the Polish Head of The Council of State of the Republic of Poland was introduced by the 1947's Small Constitution. Between 1943 and 1989 the communist authorities of the People's Republic of Poland awarded the medal to 5167 people and organisations. The People's Republic of Poland or Polish People's Republic ( Polish: Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa, PRL Russian Some of the crosses were given to the officers and leaders of the Red Army and other armies allied to the Soviets during and after World War II. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

Among the recipients of the Golden Cross was the ORP Błyskawica, probably the only warship in the world to be awarded with the highest-ranking national medal. Operational history Two days before the war on 30 August 1939, the Błyskawica withdrew along with Grom and Burza A warship is a Ship that is built and primarily intended for Combat. Among the recipients of the V Class VM were also a number of military units, including two infantry divisions, six infantry regiments, three artillery regiments, four tank regiments, three air force regiments and a number of smaller units.

Republic of Poland (after 1989)

After Poland overthrew the Communist rule in 1989, a number of Virtuti Militari awards made by the communist authorities were brought into question. On July 10, 1990, President Wojciech Jaruzelski revoked the Grand Cross given to Leonid Brezhnev on July 21, 1974. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. On October 16, 1992, the Polish Sejm passed a new Virtuti Militari Act, which is based on the act of 1933. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) It restored the Chapter of Virtuti Militari abolished by the communist authorities, while also confirming all decorations bestowed by both the Polish government in exile and the Soviet-backed authorities in Poland.

In 1995, President Aleksander Kwaśniewski revoked the Cross given to Ivan Serov, who was accused of being responsible for the deaths of thousands of Poles. Aleksander Kwaśniewski ( born November 15 1954 is a Polish politician who served as the President of Poland from 1995 to 2005 General Ivan Aleksandrovich Serov (Иван Александрович Серов August 13, 1905 – July 1, 1990) was the In 2006, President Lech Kaczyński revoked the Cross given to Wincenty Romanowski, who tortured anti-Communist fighters. ˈlɛx alɛˈksandɛr kaˈtʂɨɲskʲi (born 18 June 1949 is the President of the Republic of Poland a politician of the conservative party Prawo i Sprawiedliwość

Since 1989 there have been no new awards of the Virtuti Militari, and a new act of parliament introduced a rule setting the final deadline for awards at "no later than five years after the cessation of hostilities. "

See also

• Recipients of Virtuti Militari featured in Wikipedia
• Polish Scouting Cross
• List of military decorations

References

External links

• List of all Virtuti Militari recipients 1792–1992, by Professor Z. Wesołowski
• Medals of the Republic of Poland since 1990
• Photos and notes for collectors on Virtuti Militari