WOJENNY VIRTUTI MILITARI (POLAND)
The War Order of Virtuti Militari (Latin: "For Military Virtue", Polish: Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari) is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war. It was created in 1792 by Polish King Stanislaus II Augustus and is the oldest military decoration in the world still in use.
It is awarded in five classes either for personal heroism or, to commanders, for leadership. Some of the heroic actions recognized by an award of the Virtuti Militari are equivalent to those meriting the British Victoria Cross, the German Iron Cross, and the American Medal of Honor.
Soon after its introduction, however, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was destroyed in the partitions of Poland (1795), and the partitioning powers abolished the decoration and prohibited its wearing. Since then, the award has been reintroduced, renamed and banned several times, with its fate closely reflecting the vicissitudes of the Polish people. Throughout the decoration's existence, thousands of soldiers and officers, Polish and foreign, several cities and one ship have been awarded the Virtuti Militari for valor or outstanding leadership in war. There have been no new awards since 1989.
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SURNAME
Tice
FORENAME
Richard K.
UNIT
3 Parachute Bn
RANK
Podporucznik (Second Lieutenant)
NUMBER
22539
AWARD
Krzyz Ord Woj Virtuti Militari Klasy V
PLACE
Arnhem 1944
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
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SURNAME
Soskow
FORENAME
Tadeusz
UNIT
3 Parachute Bn
RANK
Strzelec (Rifleman)
NUMBER
28511
AWARD
Krzyz Ord Woj Virtuti Militari Klasy V
PLACE
Arnhem 1944
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour