Military Order of the Iron Trefoil

The Order of the Iron Trefoil (Croatian Vojnički red željeznog trolista ) was a state award of the Independent State of Croatia. The Order of Merit was instituted on December 27, 1941, the state leader Ante Pavelić. As the highest military order of the country he was awarded to officers, NCOs and men of the armed forces. A ceremony to foreigners was possible as long as the award criteria have been met.

Order of classes

The order consists of four classes and was awarded for exceptional merit with oak leaves.

• First Class
• Second Class
• III. class
• IV class

The holders of the First and Second Class had the right to use the title vitez ( Knight ) in the name.

Order decoration

The religious character is crafted from black iron Croatian Trefoil (also known as Croatian cross) with a silver edge. On the cross arms vertically or horizontally spiral ornaments are seen. In the medallion enamelled coat of arms of Croatia and on the blue enameled letter U ( Ustasha ). In awarding the medal with oak leaf was enclosed by an upwardly open, green enamelled oak wreath.

On the back of the religious character can be found on the horizontal arms of the cross, the inscription ZA DOM SPREMNI ( ready For the Fatherland ). In the upper cross arm the digits 10.IV. and in the lower 1941 (date of incorporation of the Independent State of Croatia).

Carrying method

The first class was as a neck order, the second class as a plug- Cross, III. Class worn on the ribbon through the second buttonhole uniform and IV class on a triangular ribbon on the left chest.

The ribbon is red with wide white margins.

Gallery

III. Class with Oak Leaves

IV Class with Oak Leaves