Order of the Crown
1897-Present
The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium
which was first created in the year 1897. The Order was created under
the authority of Léopold II of Belgium and was originally
intended to denote heroic deeds and service achieved while serving in
the Congo Free State. In 1908, the Order of the Crown was made a
national decoration of Belgium, junior to the Order of Léopold
and awarded for any service to the Belgian state.
The Order of the Crown is also eligible for
bestowal to foreign nationals and is frequently awarded to military and
diplomatic personnel of other countries stationed in Belgium. During
the Second World War, the Order of the Crown was extensively authorized
to Allied military personnel who had helped to liberate Belgium from
Nazi Germany occupation. It can be awarded with swords for combat
action and with palms for mentions in dispatches. The medal is
usually awarded for long service to Belgium with military officers
usually receiving the grade of Knight after 15 years of service.
The Badge of the Order is a white-enamelled
"Maltese Asterisk" (for want of a better description - see Maltese
Cross) with straight rays, in silver for the Knight class and in gold
for the higher classes. The obverse central disc has a crown on a blue
enamel background; the reverse central disc has the face-to-face
monogram "L" (for King Léopold II) on a blue enamel background.
The badge is suspended on a green-enamelled wreath of laurel and oak
leaves.
The Star of the Order is a ten-pointed star of
alternate golden straight rays and silver faceted rays for the Grand
Cordon class, and a silver faceted "Maltese Asterisk" with golden
straight rays between the arms for the Grand Officer class. Both stars
have the obverse of the badge, minus the wreath suspension, at the
centre.
The Ribbon of the Order is plain maroon.
The Order is awarded in five grades:
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight
References:
For
more
information on Belgian medals, click HERE to
go to Hendrik's Medal Corner.
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