Highest Military Decorations of the World

The highest military decoration is a distinguished award given for the outstanding valor, acts of self-sacrifice, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement by an individual or a battalion for the protection of the nation. It often consists of a ribbon, and a medallion.

This post lists the highest military decorations awarded by each country in the world in alphabetical order.

Complete List of Highest Military Decorations of Important Countries

Below is the list of important countries, their highest military decorations, and the year in which they are instituted.

A

  • Argentina – Cross to the Heroic Valour in Combat (1982).
  • Austria – Military Merit Decoration (1989).
  • Australia – Victoria Cross for Australia (1991).

    B

    • Bangladesh – Bir Shrestho (1971).
    • Burma – Aung San Thiriya (1948).
    • Brazil – Order of Military Merit (1943).
    • Bulgaria – Order of Bravery (1880).

    C

    • Canada – The Victoria Cross of Canada (1993).
    • China – Order of August the First (2017).**
    • Colombia – Military Order of St. Matthew / Order of San Mateo (1913).
    D
    • Denmark – The Valour Cross (2011).

    E
    • Estonia – The Cross of Liberty (1919).

    F
    • Finland – Mannerheim Cross (1941).
    • France – Legion of Honour (1802).

    G

    • Germany – The Cross of Honour for Valour (2008).
    • Greece – Medal for Gallantry (1974), Cross of Valour (1913).

    I
    • India – Paramvir Chakra (1950).
    • Israel – Medal of Valour (1970).
    • Italy – Gold Medal of Military Valour (1793).

      J

      • Japan – Order of the Rising Sun (1875).

      N

      • Netherlands – Military William Order (1815).
      • New Zealand – The Victoria Cross for New Zealand (1999).
      • Norway – The War Cross with Sword (1941).

      P

      • Pakistan – Nishan-e-Haider (1957), Hilal-e-Kashmir (1949).
      • Poland – Order of Virtuti Militari (1792).
      • Portugal – Order of the Tower and Sword (1459).

      R
      • Russia – Order of Saint George (1769), Hero of the Russian Federation (1992).

      S
      • Spain – Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand (1811).

      T
      • Thailand – Order of Rama (1918).

      U 

      • United Kingdom – Victoria Cross (1857).
      • USA – Medal of Honour (1861).
      V
      • Vietnam – The Military Exploit Order (1947).

      Z
      • Zimbabwe – The Gold Cross of Zimbabwe (1980).

      📝 SideNotes - :

      1. Param Vir Chakra
        1. Designed by – Savitri Khanolkar.
        2. Awarded – 21 times (20 for Indian Army & 1 for Indian Airforce).
      2. **China's highest military decoration was the Order of Bayi which was established in 1955. The Order of August the First is its modern version, reestablished by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping.
      3. The award instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte – The Legion of Honor.
      4. The 'Order of the Rising Sun' ('Order of Rising Sun - Gold and Silver Rays') was recently conferred to – Thangjam Dhabali Singh, the founder of Manipur Tourism Forum (MTF) on April 30, 2020.

      Thanks for reading!!!