Medal for Bravery (Austria-Hungary)
The Honorary Medal for bravery ( bravery medal since 1809 ) was a high military award of the Habsburg monarchy.
Gradations
- Golden Medal for Bravery
- Great Silver Medal for Bravery ( Silver Medal of Honor, First Class )
- Silver Medal for Bravery ( Silver Medal of Valor II class)
- Bronze Medal for Bravery
History
The award was founded on July 19, 1789 by Emperor Joseph II as honorary medal for bravery in gold and silver for officers and men who had distinguished themselves in battle.
With " hofkriegsräthlichem Rescripte " of 18 May 1809, the bylaws were amended and renamed the former medal in Medal of Honor.
On August 19, 1848, the previously single-stage, awarded Silver Medal for Bravery in a I and a II class was divided by Emperor Ferdinand I., with the medal of the second class with a diameter of 31 mm is slightly smaller than that of the first class was.
Emperor Franz Joseph I founded on February 14, 1915 in addition the Bronze Medal for Bravery in the size of the Silver Medal of Valor II class. Unlike the higher levels of the medal was awarded to nationals of the Allied armies with Austria the bronze.
On November 29, 1915 replay clips were introduced, which were awarded for the repeated presentation of the respective award. The repetition of clips was attached to the triangle strip - a clasp for the two-time award of the Medal of Honor, two bracelets for the three-time award, three clasps for the four-time award.
As of September 26, 1917, the Golden and the Great Silver Medal of Valor were also awarded to officers. Indicator of this is the particular "K" edition ( gold or silver) on the triangle band.
It was only on 26 March 1931, the owner of the award received an honorarium. The owners of the Golden Medal for Bravery received annually 50 - Schilling that the Silver I. Class 25 - Schilling.
Stylish look and manner
The bravery medal was worn on the triangle ribbon on the left chest.
Medal
The religious character is a round coin with a diameter of 40 mm and is the effigy of the reigning monarch ( see below). On the back surrounded by a laurel wreath and backed by crossed standards and flags, the inscription THE BRAVERY. During the reign of Emperor Charles I, the inscription was FORTITVDINI ( bravery ).
Portrait of the monarch
During the reign of Emperor Leopold II (1790-1792) the award has not been awarded.
Band
The tape of the Medal of Honor is striped ponceaurot - white. It corresponds in its appearance to the band of the Military Merit Cross.
Others
Since August 1995, the graduates of the army officers' school in the Austrian army in Enns name the individual vintages by holders of the Golden Medal for Bravery.