Orders, decorations, and medals of Poland
The following is a list of medals, awards and decorations in use in Poland. Most of them are awarded by the Polish Army, but some of them are civilian decorations that may be worn by the military personnel.
Most of these decorations ceased to be awarded; some were awarded before the World War II only, and some in the People's Republic of Poland only; order of some of them was changed by law.
The state awards may be awarded only by the President of Poland. The order of precedence was last reformed in 2007. The order of precedence is: 6 orders (order) in specific order of precedence (see table below); other orders in order they were received; 12 crosses (krzyż), 3 medals (medal) and 6 stars (gwiazda) in specific order of precedence; other crosses and awards in order they were received.
Currently recognized state awards subject to order of precedence
| Award | I class | II class | III class | IV class | V class | Description | Established in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order of the White Eagle Order Orła Białego |
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Poland's highest decoration awarded to both civilians and the military for their merits. | 1705, reactivated in 1921, reinstated in 1992 | ||||
| Virtuti Militari | 
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Poland's highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy | 1792, reactivated in 1919 |
| Order of Polonia Restituta Order Odrodzenia Polski Order of Poland Reborn |
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Awarded to both civilians and the military for their merits. | 1921 |
| Order of Military Cross Order Krzyża Wojskowego |
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Awarded to military personnel for actions in peacetime. | 2006 | ||
| Order of the Cross of Independence Order Krzyża Niepodległości |
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Awarded for struggle for independence in 1939-1956 period. | 2010 | |||
| Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej |
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Awarded to foreigners for contributing to good foreign relations. | 1990 |
| Other orders in the order they were received. | |||||||
| Cross of Valour Krzyż Walecznych |
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Polish military decoration awarded to a person who "has demonstrated deeds of valor and courage on the battlefield." | 1920 | ||||
| Military Cross Krzyż Wojskowy |
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Combat decoration, conferred to a military, irrespective of rank and service for combat valor against an act of terror in the territory of Poland or while on a mission of the Armed Forces overseas. | 2007 | ||||
| Cross of Merit for Bravery Krzyż Zasługi za Dzielność |
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For recognition of military or police personnel. | 1928 | ||||
| Gold Cross of Merit with Swords Złoty Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
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Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. | 1942 | ||||
| Cross of Freedom and Solidarity Krzyż Wolności i Solidarności |
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Awarded to members of anti-communist opposition movement in PRL. | 2010 | ||||
| Gold Cross of Merit Złoty Krzyż Zasługi |
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Civil state award established to recognize services to the state. | 1923 | ||||
| Silver Cross of Merit with Swords Srebrny Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
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Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. | 1942 | ||||
| Silver Cross of Merit Srebrny Krzyż Zasługi |
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Civil state award established to recognize services to the state. | 1923 | ||||
| Bronze Cross of Merit with Swords Brązowy Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
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Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. | 1942 | ||||
| Bronze Cross of Merit Brązowy Krzyż Zasługi |
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Civil state award established to recognize services to the state. | 1923 | ||||
| Military Cross of Merit with Swords Air Force Cross of Merit with Swords Navy Cross of Merit with Swords Wojskowy Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami Lotniczy Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami Morski Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami |
  
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Conferred for meritorious service in combat operations against acts of terrorism at home or during military missions overseas. | 2007 | ||||
| Military Cross of Merit Air Force Cross of Merit Navy Cross of Merit Wojskowy Krzyż Zasługi Lotniczy Krzyż Zasługi Morski Krzyż Zasługi |
  
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Bestowed for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service. | 2007 | ||||
| Medal for Sacrifice and Courage Medal za Ofiarność i Odwagę |
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Civil award for risking one's life to save another's. | 1960 | ||||
| Medal for Long Service Medal za Długoletnią Służbę |
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Conferred for long service in the armed forces, police, fire service, education, justice, central or local administration; awarded for 30, 20 and 10 years of service respectively | 1938, reactivated in 2007 | ||
| Medal for Long Marital Life Medal Za Długoletnie Pożycie Małżeńskie |
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For a marriage lasting 50 years or more. | 1960 | ||||
| Stars Gwiazdy |
     
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Afghanistan Star (for service in Afghanistan; since 2002) Iraq Star (for service in Iraq; 2003–2008) Chad Star (for service in EUFOR Tchad/RCA and MINURCAT; 2008–2009) Congo Star (for service in EUFOR RD Congo; 2006) Mediterranean Sea Star (for service in Active Endeavour; since 2005) Air Crew Star (for service, inter alia, in Baltic Air Policing; since 2005) |
2008 (2) 2010 (3) 2012 (1) | ||||
| Other crosses and awards in the order they were received. |
Presidential awards
| Award | I class | II class | III class | Description | Established in |
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| Cross of the Deported to Siberia Krzyż Zesłańców Sybiru |
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For deported to Siberia, Kazakhstan and northern Russia by the Soviet regime after September 17, 1939, as well to their children who were born there | 2003 |
Ministerial awards
| Award | I class | II class | III class | Description | Established in |
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| Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland Medal Siły Zbrojne w Służbie Ojczyzny |
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For Polish military personnel awarded for long service in the Polish armed forces | 1951. Ministry of Defence award since 2008. |
| Medal of Merit for National Defence Medal Za Zaslugi dla Obronnosci Kraju |
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Presented to Polish military personnel and civilian employees for meritorious activities to strengthen military power of the country. | 1966 and revised 1991 |
| Polish Army Medal Medal Wojska Polskiego |
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Services to the Polish armed forces by foreign civilian and military personnel | 1999 |
| Medal of Merit for Police Medal za Zasługi dla Policji |
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For outstanding achievements | 2001 |
| Medal of Merit for the Border Guard Medal za Zasługi dla Straży Granicznej |
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2004 | |
| Medal of the National Education Commission Medal Komisji Edukacji Narodowej |
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Outstanding contribution to education | 1967 | ||
| Medal for Merit to Culture Medal Zasłużony Kulturze Gloria Artis |
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Distinguished contributions to the Polish culture and heritage. | 2006 |
| Decoration of Honor "Meritorious for Polish Culture" Odznaka honorowa Zasłużony dla Kultury Polskiej |
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Distinguished contributions to the Polish culture and heritage. | 1969 | ||
| Decoration of Honor "Bene Merito" Odznaka Honorowa "Bene Merito" |
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For activities aiming at strengthening of the position of Poland on the international arena. | 2009 | ||
| Decoration of Honor "For Merit In Actions Outside the Republic of Poland" Odznaka Honorowa "Za zasługi w działaniach poza granicami RP" |
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For merits of personnel of Police, Firefighters, BOR and Border Guard during service abroad. | 2011 (in general); 2013 (detailed) | ||
| Pro Patria Medal Medal Pro Patria |
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For special merits in cultivating the memory of the struggle for the independence of the Polish | 2011 | ||
| Pro Memoria Medal Medal Pro Memoria |
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For outstanding contributions in perpetuating the memory of the people and deeds in the struggle for Polish independence during World War II | 2005 | ||
| Decoration of Honor "For Merit To Human Rights Protection" Odznaka honorowa "Za Zasługi dla Ochrony Praw Człowieka" |
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For extraordinary achievements in defense of human rights. | 2009 | ||
| Decoration of Honor "For Merits to the Rights of the Child Protection" Odznaka Honorowa za Zasługi dla Ochrony Praw Dziecka |
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For extraordinary achievements in defense of the Rights of the Child. | 2013 | ||
| Guardian Medal of the Places of National Remembrance Medal Opiekuna Miejsc Pamięci Narodowej |
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Special merits in promoting the idea of national memory and the distinctive activities of the commemoration of struggle and martyrdom of the Polish Nation | 1976 |
Former awards
| Award | I class | II class | III class | IV class | V class | Description | Established in |
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| Cross of Independence with Swords Krzyż Niepodległości z Mieczmi |
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1930 | |||||
| Cross of Independence Krzyż Niepodległości |
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1930 | |||||
| Medal of Independence Medal Niepodległości |
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1930 | |||||
| Krzyż Ochotniczy za Wojnę 1918-1921 Volunteer Cross for War 1918-1921 |
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1939 | |||||
| Krzyż na Śląskiej Wstędze Waleczności i Zasługi Cross on Silesian Ribbon of Valour and Merit |
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1921 | ||||
| Cross of Military Merits of Central Lithuania |
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1922 | |||||
| Medal za Ratowanie Ginących Life Saving Medal |
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1928 | |||||
| Army Medal for War 1939-45 Medal Wojska za Wojnę 1939-45 |
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1945 | |||||
| Air Force Medal for War 1939-45 Medal Lotniczy za Wojnę 1939-45 |
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1945 | |||||
| Navy Medal for War 1939-45 Medal Morski za Wojnę 1939-45 |
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1945 | |||||
| Merchant Marine Medal for War 1939-45 Medal Morski PMH za Wojnę 1939-45 |
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1945 | |||||
| Krzyż Monte Cassino Cross of Monte Cassino |
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1944 | |||||
| Krzyż Armii Krajowej Home Army Cross |
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1966 | |||||
| Commemorative Medal for War of 1918-1921 | 
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1928 | |||||
| Medal of the 10th Anniversary of Independence | 
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1928 | |||||
| Order of the Builders of People's Poland Order Budowniczych Polski Ludowej |
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Highest civil decoration of the People's Republic of Poland. | 1949-1992 | ||||
| Order of the Cross of Grunwald Order Krzyża Grunwaldu |
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Awarded by the Gwardia Ludowa for acts of heroism in armed combat with the German occupiers for fighting for freedom and Polish Independence. | 1943-1992 | ||
| Order of the Banner of Work Order Sztandaru Pracy |
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Awarded for unique achievements for the Nation and the Country. | 1949-1992 | |||
| Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland Order Zasługi Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej |
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Awarded to foreigners for contributing to good foreign relations. | 1974-1989 |
| Zasłużonym na Polu Chwały For Merits in Field of Glory |
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1943-1992 | |||
| Partisan Cross Krzyż Partyzancki |
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1945 | |||||
| Krzyż Oświęcimski Auschwitz Cross |
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1985 | |||||
| Za waszą wolność i naszą For our freedom and yours |
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1956 | |||||
| Za Udział w Wojnie Obronnej 1939 For Defence War 1939 |
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1981 | |||||
| Za Udział w Walkach w Obronie Władzy Ludowej For Fighting in defence of People's Rule |
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1983 | |||||
| Śląski Krzyż Powstańczy Cross for Silesian Uprisings |
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1946 | |||||
| Wielkopolski Krzyż Powstańczy Cross for Great Poland Uprising |
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1957 | |||||
| Warszawski Krzyż Powstańczy Cross for the Warsaw Uprising |
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1981 | |||||
| Medal Za Warszawę 1939-1945 For Warsaw 1939-1945 |
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1945 | |||||
| Medal za Odrę, Nysę i Bałtyk For Odra, Nysa and Baltic |
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1945 | |||||
| Medal Zwycięstwa i Wolności For Victory and Freedom |
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1945 | |||||
| Medal Za Udział w Walkach o Berlin For Battle of Berlin |
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1966 | |||||
| Medal of the 10th Anniversary of People's Poland |
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1954 | |||||
| Medal of the 30th Anniversary of People's Poland | 
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1974 | |||||
| Medal of the 40th Anniversary of People's Poland | 
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1984 | |||||
| Krzyż Waleczności Lithuanian-Belarusian Division of Gen. Bułak-Bałachowicz |
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1918 | |||||
| Civil awards that can be worn on a military uniform without requiring the approval of one's superiors. | |||||||
| Krzyż harcerski Scouting cross |
None miniature worn instead |
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See also
References
- Regulation of the Polish President of 10 November 1992 on the description, material, dimensions of Designs and how to wear badges and circumstances of decoration (in Polish)
- Regulation of the Polish President on 31 July 2007 amending the Regulation on the description, material, dimensions, designs, drawings and how to wear badges and the circumstances of orders and decorations (in Polish)
- Regulation of the Polish President on 15 November 2010 amending the Regulation on the description, material, dimensions, designs, drawings and how to wear badges and the circumstances of orders and decorations (in Polish)