List of medals for bravery
This list of medals for bravery is an index to articles about notable medals awarded for bravery or valor. These medals, usually associated with military forces, police forces, or other public safety entities, are given to personnel who have served with gallantry, often for those who have engaged in specific acts of bravery or valor.
Bravery Medal
As a formal name in English, "Bravery Medal" may refer to:
- The Australian Bravery Medal
- The New Zealand Bravery Medal
- The Fiji Bravery Medal
Medal of Bravery or Medal of Valor
Several English-speaking nations have a medal called the "Medal of Bravery" or the "Medal of Valor", including Canada and Tanzania. The three Canadian Bravery Decorations were created in 1972, to recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others: the Cross of Valour (C.V.) recognizes acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril; the Star of Courage (S.C.) recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril; and the Medal of Bravery (M.B.) recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.[1] Non-English speaking nations which have or had a medal usually translated into English as "Bravery Medal" or "Medal of Bravery" include:
- Albania – Medalja e Trimërisë (1945–1982)
- Austrian Empire and Austria-Hungary – Tapferkeitsmedaille or Medal for Bravery (Austria-Hungary), awarded from (19 July 1789–1918)
- Bangladesh – Bir Sreshtha, Bir Uttam, Bir Bikram, Bir Protik (Only awarded for ultimate bravery in The 1971 Liberation War)
- Belgium – Médaille pour acte de courage, de dévouement et d’humanité
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – Republika Srpska – Medal for Bravery, named after Gavrilo Princip
- China – Hong Kong:
- Medal for Bravery (Gold) (1997–)
- Medal for Bravery (Silver) (1997–)
- Medal for Bravery (Bronze) (1997–)
- Czechoslovakia – Československá medaile Za chrabrost před nepřítelem" (Czechoslovakian Medal for Bravery Before the Enemy) (1940-)
- German states:
- Bavaria – officially the Militär-Verdienst Medaille (Military Merit Medal), but commonly referred to as the Tapferkeitsmedaille (1794–1918)
- Saxe-Altenburg – Tapferkeitsmedaille (1915–1918)
- Hungary – Vitézségi Érem (1922–1944)
- Iran – Medal for Bravery
- Iraq – Nut al-Shujat
- Ireland – Comhairle na Míre Gaile
- India – Param Vir Chakra
- Montenegro – Медаља за храброст (1841–1918)
- Poland – Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych) (1920-)
- Russia – За отвагу (Medal for Bravery) (1938-)
- Saudi Arabia – Nut al-Shaja'at
- Serbia:
- Medalja za hrabrost (1913–1918; 1990–)
- Medal for Bravery (1912)
- South Africa:
- Sweden:
- För tapperhet i fält (For Valour in the Field) andFör tapperhet till sjöss (For Valour at Sea) awarded in silver from 28 May 1789 to soldiers, seamen and non-commissioned officers.
- From 1806 supplemented by medals in gold for officers.
- Thailand – เหรียญกล้าหาญ (The Bravery Medal) (1941-)
- United Arab Emirates – Nut al-Shaja'at
- Yugoslavia (Kingdom) – Medalja za hrabrost (1918–1941)
- Yugoslavia (SFRY) – Medalja za hrabrost (1943–1991)
Medal of Valor
There are a number of other decorations of various countries which are customarily translated into English using other synonyms for bravery, but are occasionally translated as "bravery". These include the Soviet Medal "for Valor" and the Israeli Medal of Valor. Medals specifically including "valor" include:
| Country | Award | Description |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor | Awarded by the government of the United States, created specifically to honor the public safety officers who were killed in the line of duty during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and The Pentagon |
| Germany | Bundeswehr Cross of Honour for Valour | The highest class of the Bundeswehr Cross of Honour awarded for "...an act of gallantry in the face of exceptional danger to life and limb whilst demonstrating staying power and serenity in order to fulfil the military mission in an ethically sound way." |
| United States | FBI Medal of Valor | Presented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in recognition of an exceptional act of heroism or voluntary risk of personal safety and life |
| Italy | Gold Medal of Military Valour | Established on 21 May 1793 by King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia |
| United States | Los Angeles Police Medal of Valor | The highest law enforcement medal given by the Los Angeles Police Department |
| United States | Maryland Medal for Valor | Awarded to members of the Maryland National Guard in recognition of acts of personal heroism |
| Canada | Medal of Military Valour | Canada's third highest award for military valor |
| United States | Medal of Valor (Civil Air Patrol) | A decoration that may be awarded to a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force |
| Israel | Medal of Valor | An Israeli Military decoration |
| United States | New York City Police Department Medal for Valor | Conferred upon New York City police officers for acts of outstanding personal bravery |
| Philippines | Philippine Medal of Valor | The highest military award given by the Armed Forces of the Philippines |
| Singapore | Pingat Keberanian | Singaporean Medal of Valor, awarded for an act of courage and gallantry in circumstances of personal danger |
| United States | Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor | Awarded to American police officers, firefighters and other emergency services personnel by the United States Department of Justice |
| Italy | Silver Medal of Military Valor | An Italian medal established in 1833 by King Charles Albert of Sardinia |
| United States | Texas Medal of Valor | Awarded to members of the state military forces by the Governor of Texas for acts of personal heroism |
| Uzbekistan | Medal of Valor | Awarded to civilians and service members by the President of Uzbekistan for demonstrations of courage, professionality, and loyalty to Uzbekistan. |
See also
References
- gg.ca: "Decorations for Bravery Ceremony", 2 Feb 2010