Cross of Valour (Poland) Facts for Kids

This article is about Cross of Valour (disambiguation)|Cross of Valour. For other uses, see Cross of Valour (Poland) (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Cross of Valour Krzyż Walecznych
The People's Republic of Poland version of the medal and ribbon.

Country	Poland
Type	Single-grade medal.
Awarded for	Deeds of valour and courage on the field of battle.
Status	In the award system but a wartime decoration only
Description	Obverse bears the words, "NA POLU CHWAŁY" ("ON THE FIELD OF GLORY"), while the reverse bears the word, "WALECZNYM" ("TO THE VALIANT"), and the date "1920" or "1944," depending on date of institution.
Clasps	denotes subsequent awards
Statistics
Established	11 August 1920.
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
Next (lower)	Military Cross.
Polish-Soviet War period medal

The Cross of Valour (called Krzyż Walecznych in Polish) is a special award given to soldiers in Poland. It was created on August 11, 1920. This medal is given to people who show great bravery and courage during battles. A person can receive this medal up to four times. It is usually awarded only during wars or soon after they end.

A History of Bravery
See also

A History of Bravery

The Polish-Soviet War

This medal was first created in 1920. This was during the Polish-Soviet War, just before a very important battle called the Battle of Warsaw. At first, the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army personally gave out the medal. Later, other commanders could also give it to soldiers.

By May 29, 1923, about 60,000 soldiers had received the Cross of Valour for their actions in the Polish-Soviet War.

The medal was also given to soldiers who fought in earlier conflicts. This included those from the Polish Legions in World War I. It also went to soldiers from the Silesian Uprisings and the Great Poland Uprising. Even veterans of the January 1863 Uprising received it. The city of Płock was also honored with this medal.

World War II

In January 1940, the Polish Commander-in-Chief, Władysław Sikorski, brought back the Cross of Valour. On September 20, the President of Poland agreed that people who had already received the medal four times during the Polish-Soviet War could get it again.

After World War II

In 1943, after the Battle of Lenino, General Zygmunt Berling awarded the Cross of Valour to several soldiers. General Berling commanded the Polish 1st Corps, which was supported by the Soviet Union. The medal was officially approved again by the new Polish government on December 22, 1944. By 1947, about 40,000 of these medals were given to Polish soldiers. These soldiers fought alongside the Red Army.