The Polish Army Medal (Polish: Medal Wojska Polskiego) was established by Poland on 3 September 1999 to recognize service to the Polish Army by foreign civilians and military personnel.[1] The medal is presented in three grades Gold, Silver, and Bronze by the Polish Minister of National Defence. Most awards are presented to members of allied armed forces, but the medal is also awarded to civilians who contribute to promoting the history and traditions of the Polish Army outside of Poland.[2]
| Polish Army Medal Medal Wojska Polskiego | |
|---|---|
 Polish Army Medal in gold and silver | |
| Type | Three class medal |
| Awarded for | Services to the Polish armed forces in peacekeeping or other international operations, and for studies in Polish military history. |
| Country |  Poland |
| Presented by |  Minister of National Defence |
| Eligibility | Foreign civilians and military personnel |
| Established | 3 September 1999 |
 Ribbon bar for the gold medal  Ribbon bar for the silver medal  Ribbon bar for the bronze medal | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland |
| Equivalent | Medal of Merit for National Defence |
Appearance
editThe medal is either gold, silver, or bronze, depending on the grade, 36 mm in diameter. On the obverse is a red enameled cross pattée with concave arm bases. Between the arms of the cross are stylized rays. Under the arms of the cross is a laurel wreath. Superimposed on the cross is a silver crowned eagle for all grades. The reverse is plain aside for a two line inscription "WOJSKO POLSKIE" (Polish Army). The medal is suspended from a ribbon 38 mm wide. The colors are light brown with blue edges, separated by yellow pinstripes. In the center is a half white and half red stripe.[3] On the ribbon bar a gold vertical bar is worn in the center for the gold medal and a silver vertical bar is worn in the center for the silver medal. The ribbon bar of the bronze medal is unadorned.
Notable recipients
edit- General John R. Allen[4]
- General George W. Casey, Jr.[5]
- General Carter Ham[6]
- General James Mattis[7]
- General David Petraeus[8]
- General Thierry Burkhard[9]
- Lieutenant General Mark Hertling[10]
- Major General William L. Enyart[11][12]
References
edit- ^ Robertson, Megan C. (5 June 2009). "Poland: Polish Army Medal". Medals of the World. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
- ^ "Medal of the Polish Army Awarded". Poland WWII. Aquila Polonica. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
- ^ Gaszewski, Lukasz. "Ministry Decorations for the Uniformed Services". Ribbons of Orders and Decorations of the World. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
- ^ "General John R. Allen". Biographies of United States Marine Corps General Officers and Senior Executives. USMC Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Archived from the original on 2013-12-07. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
- ^ (in Polish) Note from National Defence Minister to Marshal of the Sejm about gen. Casey decoration.
- ^ (in Polish) Generał Carter F. Ham w Polsce Archived 2011-06-03 at the Wayback Machine (photo) Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine – wp.mil.pl
- ^ Coleman, Sgt. Fredrick. "CENTCOM members earn Polish Armed Forces honors". CENTCOM Public Affairs. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ^ Select Committee on Intelligence (14 June 2011). "Questionnaire for Completion by Presidential Appointees" (PDF). United States Senate. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
- ^ "Sztab Generalny WP: szef obrony Sił Zbrojnych Francji odznaczony Złotym Medalem Wojska Polskiego". 2024-03-29.
- ^ (in Polish) Sojusznicze podziękowania Archived 2012-12-23 at archive.today (photo)[dead link] – army.mil.pl
- ^ Leighton, Maj. Brad (Fall 2011). "TAG receives highest Polish award" (PDF). Illinois Guardian. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
- ^ (in Polish) Generał William L. Enyart w Polsce Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine (photo) – army.mil.pl