Order of Bravery
The Military Medal for bravery ( Bulg За храброст ) was founded on January 1, 1880 by Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria and until the end of the monarchy in 1946, the highest award of the country, which was awarded for bravery before the enemy.
On 29 May 2003 the Bulgarian National Assembly approved the reintroduction of the Order in a slightly different form.
Order of classes
The Order originally consisted of a large cross that was reserved exclusively for the ruling monarch, and four classes ( the IV class was divided into two stages ) and a Cross of Valor for NCOs and men into three classes. Over time, were carried out further changes:
First model ( 1880-1914 )
- First Class
- Second Class
- III. Class - white enamelled cross slot
- IV class Range - red enameled cross slot
- II stage - without swords
- First Class - gold plated
- II class - silver
- III. class
Second model ( 1915-1942 )
- First Class with skulls
- First Class
- Second Class
- III. class Range - white enamelled cross slot
- Stage II - white enameled pectoral cross with crown
- Range - red enameled cross slot
- II stage - red enameled pectoral cross without crown
The two monarchs Kaiser William II ( First Class with skulls ) and the Turkish Sultan Mehmed V ( I class ) each received a special form of the award with diamonds.
Third model ( 1943-1946 )
Same classification as in the second model, but with a modified year 1941 in the medallion.
4 model (since 2003)
With swords for the military and for civilians without - Today the Order of three classes and two departments there. The award comes as follows for the award:
- First Class - Golden Cross for officers in the rank of Group General / Admiral
- Class II - Silver Cross for all other officers
- III. Class - Bronze Cross for NCOs and men
Order decoration
The religious character of I. to III. Class is a silver gilt white enameled Maltese cross, pass through the crossing angle of two crossed swords and is surmounted by a crown. In red enamelled medallion inverted left standing lion is seen. The medallion is surrounded by a circlet with the Cyrillic inscription За храброст ( for valor ) and the year 1879 is enclosed. In the 2nd or 3rd model this year changes in 1915 or 1941.
The Cross of the Fourth Class is enameled red and has a white enamel ring with the inscription already described.
The Cross of Valor is made of fine zinc and without enamel. It is in accordance appearance to the Order of characters described above, but has no crown above the cross. The First and Second Class is gilded, the III. Class only silver plated.
Carrying method
Was driven the First and Second Class Order of the neck, with the first class in addition wore a breast star. The III. Class and the I. stage of the IV class decorated the award as a plug- cross and the II stage of III. and Class IV, and the Cross of Valor were worn on the ribbon on the left chest.
The ribbon is light blue with a silver ribbed side stripes.
Particularity
From 1937 to 1940, the religious character recognition feature was on the planes of the Bulgarian Air Force.