Megan

Thank you. I'm writing it all up in book form as well. Current intention is to release it as a PDF with a print-on-demand option.

Recently, as anyone who glances at my website might have noticed, I've been delving through the awards of the Republic of Ukraine, and latterly the Ministry of Defence. Fascinating story... The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has not been profligate with awards and has concentrated on rewarding long and meritorious service. Like other ministries, awards were created piecemeal by successive Ministers until on 30 May 2012 the then President of Ukraine, VF Yanukovych, issued a Decree[1] approving a new regulation on departmental incentives; Ministers, heads of central executive bodies, heads (commanders) of military formations, and state law enforcement agencies were all instructed to ensure the revision of acts on the establishment of departmental incentives, bringing such acts in line with the requirements of this Decree. In response, the Ministry of Defence revised their awards system and published an Order in 2013[2] laying out their new system of awards. Some awards were dropped completely, others modified, and even those that were retained were mostly amended. In turn, this order was amended in 2015[3]. [1] Decree of the President of Ukraine № 365/2012 of 30 May 2012 "On departmental incentives" [2] Order of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine dated 11.03.2013 № 165 "On departmental incentive awards of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine" [3] Order of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine of 9 December 2015 № 705 "On Amendments to the Order of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine of 11 March 2013 № 165” As far as I can make out, the official Ministry of Defence pre-2013 Awards (in order of institution) are: - Award “Valour and Honour” – 2 December 1996 Award “Veteran of Military Service” – 2 December 1996 Commemorative Badge "5 Years of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" – 2 December 1996 Medal "10 years of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" – 4 September 2001 Badge of Honour – 20 May 2003 Medal "For Assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine" – 20 May 2003 Medal “For Exemplary Service” – 20 May 2003 Medal "For Peacekeeping" – 13 September 2003 Medal “For Personal Achievements” – 12 September 2005 Medal “For Conscientious Service” – 12 September 2005 Medal "15 years of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" – 6 April 2006 Distinction "For Strengthening Defence Capabilities" – 21 May 2008 Distinction “For the Development of Military Cooperation” – 21 May 2008 These all were scrapped in 2012. Note I say 'official' - there is a whole bunch of commemorative medals, mostly associated with specific branches of service that I'm unable, so far, to determine just how official they were. Some, I think, were produced by the coammanders of these branches of service - things like aerial reconnaissance, Airborne Troops, Military Intelligence, Rocket/Artillery Forces - for distribution to those under their command, but Ukraine also has a long-standing tradion of private purchase 'medals' to mark all manner over events, often made to a high standard of both design and manufacture and very difficult to distinguish from official awards (this doesn't just affect the miliary or other ministeries either - it's making research a nightmare!). As an example, here is the Medal "10 Years of Aerial Reconnaissance" - l love the owl - but how 'official' is it?

Getting back to the original topic: have any regulations been published for the new Army awards? Or has the project been buried as the Ukrainian military has rather more important things to attend to right now?

Quite right. Based on the official description from the Presidential Decree, the Cross of Military Merit has the form of a straight equilateral cross in gilded silver, the ends of which end in pentagons, superimposed on the crossed swords with pointed points upwards. The rays of the cross are faceted. In the centre of the cross is a diamond covered with translucent blue enamel, which contains the image of the Sign of the Princely State of Vladimir the Great. The cross is 40mm across. The ribbon is half blue, half yellow with one gold edge and one blue edge... the gold edge looks yellow in the photo, though.

Wonderful, Antonio... even if you are distracting me from Ukrainian medals

Now knowing what it's called I can search for details. No wonder I hadn't heard of it before, it was instituted 5 May 2022!!!, to be awarded "For outstanding personal courage and bravery or outstanding heroic deed during the execution of a combat mission in conditions of danger to life and direct confrontation with the enemy; outstanding achievements in the management of troops (forces) during military (combat) operations". It is a State award not a Ministry of Defence one, and it ranks between Hero of Ukraine/Order of the Golden Star and the Order of Liberty, so a very high award indeed.

Regarding the 'Cross for Courage' shown earlier... It was instituted on 29 April 1995, but was very quickly replaced by the 3-class Order for Courage the following year. The design was identical to the Class 3 insignia of the Order, being is a nickel-silver cross with wide pointed ends, 41 x 41 mm. In the middle of the sign is a cross with gilded outlines, covered with white enamel, from under which two crossed swords point down. On the cross is a round medallion filled with dark crimson enamel, in the centre of which is a blue enamel circle depicting the State Emblem of Ukraine. In the upper part of the medallion, above the circle, there is the inscription ЗА МУЖЕСТВО [FOR COURAGE], in the lower part, along the edges, there are two laurel branches. The outlines of the medallion and the circle, the inscription, the laurel branches are gilded. I've not encountered the cross that Igor depicts. Although there are similarities, it's not the Cross for Courage/Order for Courage Class 3, nor is it amongst the new awards Taras posted, that were announced last December. I did see the photos of the awards ceremony on the President of Ukraine's website, but there was no mention (or clear picture) of what awards he was handing out. Normally I'd write and ask but I guess he's a bit busy right now! Ah, Cross of Military Merit according to Volyn News website: https://www.volynnews.com/news/all/komandyra-14-ombr-nahorodyly-vidznakoiu-prezydenta-ukrayiny-khrest-boyovykh-zasluh/

I know very little apart from it's awarded in 2 classes (yours is Class 2).

Brilliant stuff, particularly as I'm busy on the Ukraine section of my website right now

Well, time has passed and I've ploughed my way through all the medals that I can find. Tney are on my website and here, as promised, is a PDF with more information (where I have it). This is the style I intend, over time, to use for everything - this just happens to be the very first one that is (sort of) ready to meet the light of day. I'd appreciate comments on how to improve - as well, of course, any images or information that I haven't found yet! Spanish Medals of the War of Independence.pdf

Thank you most kindly! May I ask your real name for the acknowledgements (by DM if you prefer)?

I've not caught everything yet by a long chalk! The reference books I am using are: Noticia de las Órdens de Caballería de España, Cruces et Medallas de Dístinction, Madrid 1815. Dueñas. J.V. (1843) Coleccion de cruces y medallas de distincion de España. Madrid, Yenes. Gillingham, H.E. (1926) Spanish Orders of Chivalry and Decorations of Honour Numismatic Notes and Monographs #31. New York, American Numismatic Society. The first 2 I found in Google books, the third is on the American Numismatic Society's website. I've also been using the relevant chapter from Barac, B. (2016) Reference Catalogue Orders, Medals and Decorations of the World: Part 1V Gold Book (P-Z). OBOL, Zagreb. So now I have to find the book you've referenced, Antonio! As you can see, my Spanish is getting a good work-out. As well as the website, I am compiling everything in a document which I'll share as a PDF someday... It's all made for an excellent Christmas break! (and Google books works its magic again!)

Beautiful... and information that's hard to find! Rocket - is there any chance you'd be kind enough to permit the use of your images on my website? (Full acknowledgement given, of course)? Must see if I can track down that book.

Looks glorious... hope my French is up to it

<Blows dust off topic> In the past month or so I have finally turned my eye to these early Spanish awards. Please have a look at my site if that interests you... I can post some here with additional information should you wish.

If you follow the link, it would appear that the drawings were made by the craftsman who made the medals... which are indeed fantastic. Unfortunately there's no mention of what they're call or what they are awarded for!

Nice one... I found it after I'd made my post, of course

Announced today (25 September 2021), the medal to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70th year in office. The obverse shows Elizabeth II's head with the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF. The reverse depicts a lion statant guardant atop a crowned royal armourial helmet, surrounded by ermine. The medal was designed by Timothy Noad of the College of Arms, the portrait of The Queen is by Ian Rank Broadley. It will be awarded to members of the armed forces, emergency services, and prison officers who have 5 years' service on 6 February 2022, to living holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross, and to members of the royal household.

Over a year ago, I spotted a train guard wearing enamel ribbons on his uniform - a trio of Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee, and Cadet Forces Medal. He was a bit startled when I asked him which of the Cadets he'd been involved with, without mentioning the ribbons at all!

Interesting, thank you for that thought SpeedyTop. That does make a kind of sense.

Given a jumble of Soviet and DDR awards, and apparent service in Army, Police, Customs, Border Guards AND State Security... not to mention Construction, Railways, and Agriculture... I'd guess this is a fantasy bar of whatever ribbons the vendor could get his paws on.

Some fine images here, thank you for sharing Emmanuel.

Thank you very much!

tcjbomber, would you be kind enough to grant permission for me to use this image on my website, please? (and if you are willing, may I have your real name for the credits?)

I have been known to drink Lapsang Souchong and Tea, Earl Grey, Hot... both "without pollutants". I normally have one mug of coffee in the morning, then spend the rest of the day drinking Orange & Mango squash (by the pint). Then evening comes and it's a pint, followed by red wine with dinner and sometimes a drop of Laphroaig afterwards.