- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: 1944
- Country: Netherlands
The Bronze Lion (or Bronzen Leeuw in Dutch) is a high Royal Dutch award intended for servicemen who have shown extreme bravery and leadership in battle favoring The Netherlands.
It was first created in 1944 and has since been issued 1210 times. Proposals for an award are reviewed by the Dutch Board for Bravery Awards, which is part of the ministry of Defense. If awarded they are enforced by a Royal Decree. In some special cases, the Bronze Lion can however be awarded to Dutch or foreign civilians.
The Bronze Lion has precedence after the Order of the House of Orange, but is the second highest military decoration still being awarded for bravery (only preceded by the Military William Order).
The Bronze Lion Design
The Bronze Lion is a cross in bronze, covered by a round shield. On the front is a relief of the crowned Dutch Lion.
The cross is attached to a 37 millimeter wide ribbon, divided into nine equal vertical stripes, alternately orange and ‘Nassau blue’, the strips on either edge are Nassau blue. It is possible for a single person to receive more than one award of the Bronze Lion, in which case a number ‘2’ in gold is added on the ribbon of the Bronze Lion.
