Medal for Meritorious Service in the Field of Glory

The "Meritorious in the Field of Glory" medal was one of the first wartime medals in People's Poland, with no pre-war roots. It was established by order of the commander of the 1. Tadeusz Kosciuszko Infantry Division of Brigadier General Zygmunt Berling (1896-1980) around the turn of October and November 1943. The first to receive it were participants in the Battle of Lenino, during the Independence Day celebrations on 14 November 1943. Subsequently, the Polish Committee for National Liberation established it as a military decoration in three ranks by a decree of 22 December 1944. The gold rank was awarded to those who displayed considerable heroism in battle or who showed outstanding acts of bravery and courage. The silver version honoured those who contributed to the successful performance of their units. The bronze medal was awarded to those who performed bravely and in an exemplary manner, or who displayed boldness that could serve as an example to others. The medal comes in two versions. The original version, made at the Moscow State Mint, had the Order of Virtuti Militari on the obverse with a crowned eagle against a background of the Polish and Soviet flags, and a reference to the Battle of Lenino (12-13 October 1943) on the reverse. On the next pattern, produced from 1945 in Warsaw, the eagle on the image of the Order of Virtuti Militari no longer had a crown, the crossed national flags in the background had also been removed, and the inscription on the reverse referred to the year 1944. A State Council resolution of 6 January 1977 sanctioned both versions. After the end of the Second World War, the medal was awarded by the Presidium of the National Council and later by the State Council. As of 23 December 1992, the awarding of the medal was deemed completed. Anna Lew-Machniak