- Time Period: Pre World War I
- Institution: 18 June 1757
- Country: Austria, Hungary, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia
The Military Order of Maria Theresa (or “Militär-Maria-Theresien-Orden” in German and “Katonai Mária Terézia-rend” in Hungarian) was the highest military honor of the Habsburg Monarchy, Austrian Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is considered to be the highest honor for a soldier in the Austrian armed services.
The order was founded on 18 June 1757, the day of the Battle of Kolin, by Empress Maria Theresa, and awarded for especially meritorious and valorous acts by commissioned officers, especially the act of defeating an enemy, and thus “serving” their monarch.
Because the Order was given for “successful military acts of essential impact to a campaign that was undertaken on [the officer’s] own initiative and might have been omitted by an honorable officer without reproach“, this gave rise to a popular myth that it was awarded for (successfully) acting against an explicit order.
The Military Order of Maria Theresa Classes
The Order of Theresa consisted of several classes, each representing a different level of distinction and honor. Originally, the order had two classes: Knight’s Cross and Grand Cross.
On 15 October 1765, Emperor Joseph II added a Commander’s Cross, and a breast star to be worn by holders of the Grand Cross. The three classes are, then:
Knight’s Cross (Ritterkreuz): The lowest class was awarded to officers and soldiers who had displayed acts of bravery, courage, or exceptional service on the battlefield.
Commander’s Cross (Komturkreuz): The next higher class of the order was awarded to officers who had demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic skill, or distinguished service in combat.
Grand Cross (Großkreuz): The highest and most prestigious class of the Military Order of Maria Theresa was reserved for generals, field marshals, and other high-ranking military leaders who had achieved extraordinary accomplishments or held positions of great responsibility.
The Military Order of Maria Theresa Design
The badge of the order is a gilt, white-enameled cross. The central disc bears the coat-of-arms or national flag of Austria, surrounded by a white ring bearing the motto “Fortitudini” (“For Courage“).
The star of the order is a silver faceted cross of the same shape as the badge, with a wreath of green-enameled oak leaves between the arms of the cross. The central disc is the same as the one on the badge.
The ribbon is red-white-red, inspired by the national flag of Austria.
By class:
- Recipients of the Knight’s Cross were entitled to wear a medal consisting of a Maltese cross with a central medallion depicting the profile of Empress Maria Theresa surrounded by a laurel wreath.
- Recipients of the Commander’s Cross wore a larger version of the medal, often with additional embellishments such as oak leaves or swords to denote further acts of valor.
- Recipients of the Grand Cross wore a significantly larger medal, often adorned with additional decorations and worn around the neck on a ribbon of crimson.
