Medals from the Netherlands
Dutch Military Medals & Awards from WW1, WW2 and More
Over the centuries, the successive governments of the Netherlands have instituted many medals and orders of knighthood. The the famous Order of the Golden Fleece, for example, was founded by the House of Burgundy. William I, the first king of the Netherlands, also founded the Military Order of William and the Order of the Netherlands Lion– and his successors did the same with several orders of merit, stars and crosses.
In the realm of military decorations, Dutch medals honor bravery, leadership, and distinguished service. They are awarded to military personnel who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in the face of danger, exceptional leadership skills, and significant contributions to military operations. Throughout Dutch history, especially during and after major conflicts such as World War II, these medals have played a crucial role in acknowledging the sacrifices and achievements of individuals. So, let’s take a look at the complete list of Dutch medals.
Popular Dutch Medals, Orders & Decorations
Dutch medals serve as a reflection of the nation’s history, values, and contributions to various fields, both in military and civil contexts. These medals are awarded to recognize acts of bravery, exceptional service, and significant contributions to society and the state. Explore the most renowned medals, orders, and decorations bestowed by the Netherlands.
The Military Order of William
The Military William Order (Militaire Willems-Orde in Dutch, MWO) is the oldest and highest honor of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Order of the House of Orange
The Order of the House of Orange is a dynastic order of the House of Orange-Nassau, the royal family of the Netherlands.
The Order of the Crown (Netherlands)
The Order of the Crown is a house order that came into being as a result of the reorganization of the Order of the House of Orange.
The Order of Saint John in the Netherlands
The Order of Saint John in the Netherlands is a religious order dedicated to providing charitable and humanitarian services.
The Cross of Merit (Netherlands)
The Cross of Merit is an award for working in the interest of the Netherlands with distinguishing valor while faced with enemy action.
All Dutch Medals from
Before WW1 and WW1
Before World War I and during the conflict, the Netherlands awarded various medals to recognize acts of bravery, service, and contributions to the nation.
One of the primary forms of recognition in the Netherlands was through orders of knighthood. These prestigious decorations were established to reward individuals for their exceptional service to the state or the royal house and typically featured multiple classes or ranks, allowing for a hierarchy of honors based on the level of service or achievement. In addition to national orders, there were also house orders, which were specific to the royal family. These orders were awarded to individuals who had shown exceptional loyalty and service to the royal household.
The Doggersbank Medal
The Doggersbank Medal was awarded to the officers who took part in the battle of Doggersbank, a naval battle that took place in 1781.
The Lombok Cross
The Lombok Cross is a military award established to commemorate service in the Dutch intervention in Lombok and Karangasem.
The Expedition Cross
The Expedition Cross (or Expeditiekruis in Dutch) was a military decoration of Kingdom of the Netherlands created by King William III.
The Cross for the Four Day Marches
The Cross for the Four Day Marches is a decoration awarded for successful participation in the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen.
The Carnegie Hero Fund Medal
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission was established to recognize persons who perform extraordinary acts of heroism in civilian life.
The Flood Disaster Medal
The Flood disaster Medal (Watersnoodmedaille) was created by royal decree on 27 March 1855 by King William III of the Netherlands.
The Museum Medal
The Honorary Medal for Merits toward Museum Collections (or Museum Medal) is one of the oldest civil decorations of the Netherlands.
The De Ruyter Medal
The De Ruyter Medal was created by royal decree to be awarded to those members of the Dutch Merchant fleet who distinguish themselves.
The Honorary Medal for Charitable Assistance
The Honorary Medal for Charitable Assistance is one of the oldest decorations for bravery in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Cross for Courage and Fidelity
The Cross for Courage and Fidelity is a military award established by Queen Emma of the Netherlands on 7 March 1898 by Royal Decree.
The Order of Saint John in the Netherlands
The Order of Saint John in the Netherlands is a religious order dedicated to providing charitable and humanitarian services.
The Order of the House of Orange
The Order of the House of Orange is a dynastic order of the House of Orange-Nassau, the royal family of the Netherlands.
The Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
The Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau is a chivalric order shared by the two branches of the House of Nassau.
The Order of Orange-Nassau
The Order of Orange-Nassau is a civil and military Dutch order of chivalry founded on 4 April 1892 by the Queen regent Emma.
The Order of the Netherlands Lion
The Order of the Netherlands Lion is a Dutch order of chivalry founded by King William I of the Netherlands on 29 September 1815.
The Military Order of William
The Military William Order (Militaire Willems-Orde in Dutch, MWO) is the oldest and highest honor of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Dutch Medals from the
Interwar and WW2 Period
During the interwar period and World War II, the Netherlands awarded various medals to recognize acts of bravery, service, and contributions to the nation. These medals played a significant role in honoring individuals who demonstrated exceptional courage, dedication, and sacrifice during a tumultuous time in Dutch history.
The Dutch NSKK Honor Badge
The Dutch NSKK Honor Badge was awarded for exceptional service in the Motor W.A. (German Motorized Transport service).
The Mussert Garde Pin 1939-1940
The Mussert Garde Pin, created in 1939-1940, was a symbol of loyalty and service to the National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands (NSB).
The Mussert Bravery Cross
The Mussert Bravery Cross was a special award for NSB members serving in German forces. It was akin to the German Eastern Front Medal.
The W.A. Military Sports Badge
The W.A. Military Sports Badge was awarded to members of the “Weer Afdeelingen” (Defense Sections) for military sporting events.
The SS Dutch Sports Badge
The SS Dutch Sports Badge was awarded to members of the Dutch SS for demonstrating athletic prowess and physical fitness.
The Mobilisation War Cross
The Mobilization War Cross (or Mobilisatie-Oorlogskruis in Dutch) is a Dutch medal awarded for service during World War II.
The Medal of Recognition 1940-1945
The Medal of Recognition 1940–1945 is a medal of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that was established by Royal Decree on 9 February 1946.
The Airman’s Cross
The Airman’s Cross (Vliegerkruis) is an important military decoration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands created in 1941 for Dutch military.
The Cross of Merit (Netherlands)
The Cross of Merit is an award for working in the interest of the Netherlands with distinguishing valor while faced with enemy action.
The Bronze Cross (Netherlands)
The Bronze Cross of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was instituted by Queen Wilhelmina during the German occupation of the Netherlands.
The Resistance Star East Asia
The Resistance Star East Asia (Verzetsster Oost-Azië) was created to commemorate the resistance against the Japanese occupation of Indonesia.
The Bronze Lion
The Bronze Lion (Bronzen Leeuw) is a high Royal Dutch award intended for servicemen who have shown extreme bravery and leadership in battle.
The Dutch Cross of Resistance
The Cross of Resistance 1940-1945 (or Verzetskruis 1940–1945 in Dutch) is the second highest decoration for valor in the Netherlands.
Dutch Medals from
the Post-WW2 Period
Dutch medals from the post-World War II era reflect the Netherlands’ commitment to honoring military service, civil achievements, and contributions to society.
The Resistance Memorial Cross
The Resistance Memorial Cross or Commemorative Cross is a medal awarded to members of the Dutch resistance during the Second World War.
The Order of the Golden Ark
The Most Excellent Order of the Golden Ark is a Dutch order of merit established in 1971 by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.
The Order for Loyalty and Merit
The Order for Loyalty and Merit (or Orde van Trouw en Verdienste in Dutch) is a house order of the Dutch Royal House of Orange-Nassau.
The Order of the Crown (Netherlands)
The Order of the Crown is a house order that came into being as a result of the reorganization of the Order of the House of Orange.