The Military William Order, or often named Military Order of William (Dutch: Militaire Willems-Orde, abbreviation: MWO), is the oldest and highest honour of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Order is named after St. William of Gellone (755–814), the first Prince of Orange. The Order's motto is Voor Moed, Beleid en Trouw (For Bravery, Leadership and Loyalty). The chivalric order was established on 30 April 1815 by King William I and was presented for feats of excellent bravery on the battlefield and as a meritorious decoration to senior military officers. Comparable with the French Légion d’Honneur but far less often awarded, the Military William Order is a chivalry order of merit open to everyone regardless of rank and nobility, and not only to Dutch military but also foreigners. To date membership of the Order is extremely rarely awarded and only for excellent bravery in battle.
In the spring of 1940 it was decided that civilians would receive the Military Order of William for heroic acts in the resistance. After the liberation of the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies, several men and one woman from the resistance were awarded the Military Order of William.
SURNAME
Brinkgreve
FORENAME
Hendrik
UNIT
SOE Jedburgh Team Dudley
RANK
Major
NUMBER
393
AWARD
Certificate of Commendation (GB),Ridder 4th Klasse der Militaire Willemsorde (Holland)
PLACE
Holland 1944-45
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Biallosterski
FORENAME
Tobias
UNIT
N Section SOE
RANK
Second Lieutenant + Lieutenant
NUMBER
AWARD
Militaire Willems-Orde (4th Class),Bronzen Kruis,Member of the Order of the British Empire (GB)
PLACE
Holland 1943-45
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DOW - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Groenewoud
FORENAME
Jacobus
UNIT
SOE Jedburgh Team Claude
RANK
Captain
NUMBER
AWARD
R.M.W.O. (Ridder 4th klasse der Militaire Willems-Orde)
PLACE
Holland 1944
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
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