- Time Period: Post-WW2 Period
- Year of Institution: 21 April 1966
- Country: Poland
The Medal of Merit for National Defence (or Medal Za Zasługi dla Obronności Kraju in Polish) is a decoration of the Ministry of National Defence of Poland established 21 April 1966 and revised in 1991.
The medal recognizes the meritorious service of people who, through their work or activity, contributed to the development and strengthening of the country’s defense. The medal may also be awarded to a military unit, social organization, enterprise, plant or institution.
The medal has three grades:
- Gold medal.
- Silver medal.
- Bronze medal.
The rules for awarding the medal were changed by the ordinance of the Minister of National Defence of April 19, 1991. According to this ordinance, the medal is awarded to people who:
- They showed bravery or courage in direct actions related to the country’s defense, or they achieved very good results in the implementation of defense tasks.
- Have special merits in the field of the development of modern military thought, military technology and defense potential, as well as in the field of military training and education.
- With their professional work or activity in social organizations, they significantly contributed to the development and strengthening of the country’s defense system.
Members of the Polish military and civilian employees are eligible for this medal. A silver medal may be awarded to a person awarded with a bronze medal, if at least three years have elapsed since it was awarded, and the gold medal may be awarded at least five years after the silver medal was awarded.
The Medal of Merit for National Defence Design
The badge of the medal was initially a round medal with a diameter of 38 mm, made of gilded, silver-plated or bronze and oxidized metal. On the obverse there was a drawing of Poland’s borders, and against it a stylized eagle. There was an inscription around the drawing: “FOR MERIT FOR COUNTRY DEFENSE”. On the reverse, there was a horizontal inscription: “MINISTERSTWO OBRONY NARODOWEJ”, surrounded by the inscription: “POLSKA RZECZPOSPOLITA LUDOWA” (“People’s Republic of Poland”).
Since 1991, the medal’s badge has been a round gilded, silvered or patinated bronze medal with a diameter of 36 mm. The obverse features a crowned knight’s helmet, surrounded by acanthus leaves, and a shield underneath with a crowned military eagle. There is an inscription on the rim: “ZA ZASŁUGI DLA OBRONNOŚCI KRAJU”. On the reverse there is a horizontal inscription in two lines: “WOJSKO / POLSKIE”.
The ribbon of the medal in both versions is white, 38 mm wide, with a vertical red stripe 20 mm wide in the center.
