Antonio Prieto Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 (edited) In Spain, a medal was created in 1814 called “of military prisoners” that over time also rewarded other circumstances such as being wounded in combat, wounded or injured in peacetime, prisoners of war or relatives of those who died or disappeared in campaign or captivity. I am interested in knowing from the current 32 NATO countries if there are similar medals or badges (strips, chevrons or others). I do have news about some of them, such as Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the United States or Norway, but in any case I am interested in good images (front and back) with a view to making a chapter of a book. Unfortunately, this Spanish medal disappeared from the award system in 1989, although currently the Cross of Military Merit with a yellow badge serves for this purpose. Thank you The spanish medal https://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/medallas/texto/msp.htm Edited May 11 by Antonio Prieto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 Sounds like a fascinating project, Antonio. Off the top of my head, France has the "Insigne des blessés militaires" - instituted 11 Decemeber 1916 as a ribbon only award consisting of a small red star on a white, blue, yellow, and red ribbon. That's only worn until a campaign medal is issued for the campaign in which the wound was received, then the star should be pinned to that ribbon instead. However, unofficial "wound medals" are popular and even tolerated in uniform... and 100 years after it was instituted - 17 August 2016 - the French created a War Wounded Medal using the same ribbon, with the medal being a red-enamelled star in a gold wreath of oak and laurel leaves. Got a stack of marking to do but I shall ferret around some more... only 31 more countries to go! Or 30, seeing as you have already attended to the Spanish one! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Craig Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 Antonio, Here is a thread from the GMIC that shows different medals, badges and wound stripes used by Italy for those soldiers who were wounded. The uniforms once belonged to me. Regards, Gordon https://gmic.co.uk/topic/14814-italian/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Prieto Posted May 13 Author Share Posted May 13 Thank you. I look at whatever is of interest, to see if it can still be in force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 Belgium has several awards for prisoners of war, escapers, and those who got deported, interned, or forced into labour camps during occupation... but no "enemy marksmanship" awards for wounds sustained in combat (there is one for civilians injured by enemy action....). Come to think of it, the French had a medal for escaped prisoners of war too. I do have images of most of these, I'll dig out the high quality ones for you to use in your book. (I also have the French escapers' medal somewhere, picked that up when I still collected 'things' rather than information!). Quck question, Antonio - are you interested in wounded/killed/imprisoned awards in general or just those which are still available for award right now? A lot of the Belgium stuff is tied specifically to the World Wars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Prieto Posted May 14 Author Share Posted May 14 The interest is only for comparison purposes with the aforementioned Spanish medal that was used for prisoners, wounded, deceased and their families. And not so much in past times where several countries did have these medals or badges for the conflicts of the 19th century, but for the current countries that are part of NATO. These are the first more or less confirmed From some countries like Belgium I already have confirmation that they currently DO NOT have this type of award. I'm still searching for others Albania No Alemania Verwundetenabzeichen Bélgica No Bulgaria Награден знак "За пострадалите във военен конфликт, мисия и операция" Canadá The Sacrifice Medal / Médaille du Sacrifice República Checa Medaile Za zranìní Croacia Dinamarca Forsvarets medalje for Sårede i Tjeneste Forsvarets medalje for Faldne i Tjeneste Estados Unidos Purple Heart Eslovaquia Eslovenia España Cruz del Mérito Militar distintivo amarillo Estonia Finlandia Sotainvalidien ansioristi Francia Médaille des blessés de guerre Grecia Μετάλλιο Εξόχου Πράξεως Hungría Sebesülési Emlékérem Islandia No Italia Distintivi d’Onore Letonia Lituania Luxemburgo Insigne de blessé Macedonia del Norte Montenegro Noruega Forsvarets medalje for falne i strid Forsvarets medalje for sårede i strid Países Bajos Draaginsigne Gewonden Polonia Wojskowa odznaka „Za Rany i Kontuzje” Portugal Medalha dos feridos en campanha Reino Unido Rumania Suecia Försvarsmaktens medalj för sårade i strid Turquía Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 The UK has the Elizabeth Cross for relatives of those killed in service, but nothing for wounded/captured personnel. They used to issue 'wound stripes' but have not done so for a long time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 (edited) Sweden: Defence Forces Medal for Wounded in Battle (Försvarsmaktens medalj för sårade i strid). Instituted on 25 March 2011 and awarded in two classes - silver to armed forces personnel injured in combat, gold awarded posthumously to thoe who are killed. The ribbon is red and black - symbolising blood (red) and sadness (black) - the medal's obverse displays a broken sword surrounded by a laurel wreath, and the three crowns of Sweden, the reverse is inscribed FÖR SVERIGE MED LIVET SOM INSATS. Edited May 15 by Megan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Prieto Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 Sotainvalidien ansioristi is awarded to people who in one way or another have helped war invalids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 Best wishes for your mission.🍻 …just a thought. If I may be cynical, I suspect issuing medals acknowledging losses during ‘peacetime’ became a political inconvenience. Many soldiers serving (undeclared) under the NATO umbrella will have lost their lives or health in Ukraine for example. Politicians will always put themselves before the recognition of the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families. tony 🏴🇬🇧 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 (edited) Germany no longer issues a "Wound Badge" (Verwundetenabzeichen) - the last was the 1957 "De-Nazification" of Wound Badges issued during WW2 (apart from those awarded during the Spanish Civil War, which were not permitted to be worn in any form!). Czech Republic: Wound Medal (Medaile Za zranìní), instituted on 16 December 1996. Edited May 16 by Megan Added institution date of the Czech Wound Medal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Prieto Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Thank you For the german badge I found this notice of 2019 https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/19/157/1915736.pdf Google translator say: Recognizing German soldiers' willingness to make sacrifices - introducing one Wounded badge in the German Bundeswehr The Bundestag wants to decide: I. The German Bundestag states: The soldier's profession is fundamentally different from other professions in our society. Soldiers are obliged to protect their physical and mental integrity, and ultimately their lives, in defense of the Federal Republic to use Germany. For their part, the government and parliament are obliged to do this special operational readiness through comprehensive medical and material support To ensure care if soldiers are wounded or killed. Furthermore, must it will become an obligation for the German Bundestag to prevent injuries and deaths Members of the Bundeswehr should also be given appropriate symbolic recognition. Awards and honors are an integral part of military culture Tradition. With military awards, the state and society honor the performance and commitment of their soldiers. Orders, medals and badges also externally recognize military achievements and sacrifices made visible. The Bundeswehr has been controlled by the German Bundestag for almost three decades sent on foreign assignments. The ISAF and Resolute Support operations in Afghanistan From 2002 to 2018, for example, 56 German soldiers died and 125 were wounded.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herman Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 The Dutch Draaginsigne Gewonden (Wound Badge). Regards Herman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie777 Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 Japanese Military Wounded Soldier Badge Time Period: WW2 Institution: From 1938 Country: Japan The Japanese Military Wounded Soldier Badge was issued to both army and navy personnel from about 1938. Also translated as the War Wound Badge, this medal was produced in two varieties. The gilt senshou badge was awarded for a wound sustained in combat. The silver koushou badge was awarded for a wound sustained in the public service (or in a non-combat situation). It was also often given to a soldier when they contracted a disease like malaria or were poisoned, injured in an equipment accident, etc. The Japanese Military Wounded Soldier Badge Design The badge measures approximately 31 mm high. The outer edges on the reverse side read Gunjin Shoui Kishou (Soldier Wound Badge). The badge was awarded in a red pressed cardboard or wooden box with gold or silver lettering and with an accompanying registration card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Prieto Posted May 20 Author Share Posted May 20 Thank you. For this time I need only information about NATO countries for the comparation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie777 Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 Hi Antonio, My mistake Regards Archie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 Poland: Historically had a "wound badge" consisting of a strip of ribbon, blue with 2 black horizontal stripes (colour of the ribbon of the Virtuti Militari) on which small silver stars were placed... this was instituted in 1920 and continued through WW2. It is worn on the left breast above other medals or medal ribbons. The current Republic spent a long time debating the issue, starting in 2007, but on 19 August 2011 instituted a similar award for military personnel wounded or injured during operations outside the country. This is a strip of ribbon, blue with 2 red horizontal stripes (the colours of the ribbon of the Order of the Military Cross). Precise regulations were left to the Minister of National Defence to determine, which was done on 15 March 2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Prieto Posted May 28 Author Share Posted May 28 Thank you Megan Updated chart Albania No Alemania Verwundetenabzeichen Bélgica No Bulgaria Награден знак "За пострадалите във военен конфликт, мисия и операция" Canadá The Sacrifice Medal / Médaille du Sacrifice República Checa Medaile Za zranění Croacia No Dinamarca Forsvarets medalje for Sårede i Tjeneste Forsvarets medalje for Faldne i Tjeneste Estados Unidos Purple Heart Eslovaquia No Eslovenia No España Cruz del Mérito Militar distintivo amarillo Estonia No Finlandia No Francia Médaille des blessés de guerre Grecia Μετάλλιο Εξόχου Πράξεως Hungría Sebesülési Emlékérem Islandia No Italia Distintivi d’Onore. Ferito. Mutilato. Alla Memoria Letonia No Lituania No Luxemburgo Insigne de blessé Macedonia del Norte No Montenegro No Noruega Forsvarets medalje for falne i strid Forsvarets medalje for sårede i strid Países Bajos Draaginsigne Gewonden Polonia Wojskowa odznaka „Za Rany i Kontuzje” Portugal Medalha dos feridos en campanha Reino Unido Elizabeth Cross Rumania No Suecia Försvarsmaktens medalj för sårade i strid Turquía No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 Lithuania: Lithuanian Armed Forces Medal for Injuries - Kariuomenės medalis „Sužeistajam” - instituted 1 July 2004 (I think - but Ilya gives 13 June 2012) and awarded for injures experienced while conducting service in international operations, protecting sovereignty of state, inviolability of its territory, airspace and territorial sea and exclusive economic zone, defending the state from aggression or other armed assault. Still trying to find a decent image, though. The medal is bronze, 32mm in diameter. The obverse depicts a heart with a red-enamelled wound on a circle of rays with three arrow-shaped pieces pointing inwards, all surrounded by a wreath formed of oak to the left and laurel to the right. No idea of the reverse... The ribbon is dark red with a lighter red white-edged central stripe and light red and white edges. Marking almost done. Will have more time for poking around 🤓 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Prieto Posted June 20 Author Share Posted June 20 (edited) Thank you From the electronic translation it seems that the reverse is plain Edited June 20 by Antonio Prieto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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