The US has the “Congressional Medal of Honor” (CMH)
The Soviet Union had the “Hero of the Soviet Union”
The Germans had the “Iron Cross”
What did the Japanese, Italians, UK, Chinese(?) have?
Thanks,
LT
March 1945 was the first and only time in its history that the Japanese Navy awarded special citation to an individual. Shoichi Sugita and Saburo Sakai were the two pilots awarded.
I do not know what award was given.
I think it was “The holy crap, you actually survived!?!?” award. wink
(That was meant as a joke, btw.)
UK : The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy” to members of the armed forces of some Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories. It takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and civilians under military command, and is presented to the recipient by the British monarch during an investiture held at Buckingham Palace.
Japan: Order of the Rising Sun
Germany: The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, often simply Ritterkreuz) was a grade of the Iron Cross. The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was the second highest military order of the Third Reich, second only to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. It was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II. Also could include Oak Leaves and Swords and Diamonds.
Adolf Hitler reinstituted the Iron Cross as a German decoration in September 1939, with the Grand Cross again as the highest grade (above the various classes of the Knight’s Cross). Hermann Göring became the only recipient of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II when it was awarded to him on July 19, 1940. Shortly before his suicide Hitler deprived Göring of the Grand Cross because he felt betrayed by him.
An even higher decoration, the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, was intended to be presented to the most successful German general of World War II once Germany achieved victory. Awarded only twice to Field Marshals Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher and Paul von Hindenburg, a prototype 1939 Star was discovered by the Allies in 1945. It is currently on display with Göring’s Reichsmarschall baton in the West Point Military Collection.
France and Belgium: The croix de guerre (English translation: War Cross) is a military decoration of both France and Belgium, where it is also known as the Oorlogskruis (Dutch). It was first created in 1915 in both countries and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts. The croix de guerre was also commonly bestowed to foreign military forces allied to France and Belgium.
Croix de Guerre with Bronze Palm
We had a break in at the New Zealand War Museum a while back and several Victoria Crosses were stolen for sale on the black market.
The nation was not impressed.
Fortunately the crooks released that there was no way to shift the stolen medals and returned them.
Cue national day of celebration.
The Victoria Cross is the most valuable single medal in the world that is still being awarded, the last one up for auction went for nearly 1 million US.
My vote is that the VC is the most distinguished medal. Very difficult to obtain, long history, not very tarnished by political considerations. its still made from the metals taken from cannons used in the crimean war.
One of the criteria for awarding the VC is that the action in which it is earned must have a 90% or greater chance of resulting in death.
