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Award From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Medal of Belgian Gratitude (French: Médaille de la Reconnaissance Belge; Dutch: Belgische erkentelijkheidsmedaille) is a Belgian medal instituted to be awarded to civilians on 1 August 1945.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2023) |
Medal of Belgian Gratitude 1940-1945 | |
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Type | Military decoration |
Awarded for | Display of humanitarian patriotism by acts of courage |
Presented by | Kingdom of Belgium |
Eligibility | Belgian or foreign civilians |
Clasps | Red cross, embedded in the medal |
Status | Dormant |
Established | 1 August 1945 |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | Queen Elisabeth Medal |
Next (lower) | Volunteer combatant medal WW I |
The medal measures 34 mm in diameter and has an octagonal shape. The obverse depicts a veiled woman (representing Belgium) facing to the right, with a rapier in her right hand, raised in salute. The medal came in 3 versions: gold, silver and bronze.
The reverse bears the inscription “PATRIA GRATA 1940 1945” with a decorative pattern on either side of the inscription. The medal is attached to the ribbon via a laurel wreath. The laurel wreath is open in the center. However, the wreath is filled with a red cross when it is awarded for meritorious service during the administration of aid to the sick or the wounded (Dutch: voor verdienstelijke daden bij hulpverlening aan zieken of gekwetsten).[1]
The ribbon is purple, with 3 central stripes of black, yellow and red, the colors of the Belgian national flag.
Medal of Belgian gratitude in gold, silver and bronze, with and without red enamel cross |
The medal of Belgian gratitude was awarded for devotion to philanthropy in order to relieve people from the depravations of the war (Dutch: menslievende instellingen tot leniging van oorlogsnood).
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