Short Historical Note

Yugoslavia entered into the war when it was invaded by Germany on 6 April 1941. During the war, the king being in exile, Yugoslav resistance was mainly grouped in two patriotic camps : the Chetniks, royalists lead by Mihailovitch and the Partisans, communist resistance fighters lead by Tito. Both fought the Germans and, on some occasions each other, until the end of the war when a communist republic was proclaimed.

The Royal Yugoslav Commemorative War Cross

Originally instituted on 6 September 1943 (the King's birthday) by King Peter II in exile for award to those who had fought against the Germans in Yugoslavia and to those that had rendered distinguished services to the king during his exile in Britain. The obverse bears the head of the king whereas the reverse shows General Mihailovitch. Production and actual awards of this decoration only took place after the war had ended.

The Order of the National Hero

Instituted on 15 August 1943, in a single class, to award outstanding bravery in action, the last one awarded was on 16 May 1976 to Tito. From its inception till then, 45 have been awarded to military units and other organisations, 22 to Non-Yugoslavs and 1,324 to Yugoslavs. The orders was considered one of the highest ranking ones in postwar Socialist Yugoslavia : after the Order of the Yugoslav Star was created, it took 3rd rank in the order of wearing.

Order for Freedom

This silver and enamel star, the single class of the order, was created on 9 June 1945 to recognize outstanding courage or leadership.

Order for Bravery

Awarded for bravery in action, this decoration, again the single class of the order, was instituted on 15 August 1943. The obverse carries the text "SMRT FASIZMU / SLOBODA NARODU" (Death to Fascism, Freedom to the People) in two lines.

Order of National Liberation

Also created on 15 August 1943, this single class order served to award distinguished service in the liberation of the country from the Nazi occupation. The small panel on the obverse carries the words "NARODNO OSLOBDENJE" (The Liberation of the Nation).

Order of the Partisan Star

Awarded in three classes : gold edged and set on a gold laurel wreath for the first class, silver edged on a gold wreath for the second class and silver edged without a wreath but superimposed on crossed rifles for the third class, this decoration was again instituted on 15 August 1943. It was awarded to partisans who had shown exceptional leadership and bravery in the war.

Order of Merit to the People

On 9 July 1945 three classes and a medal were instituted for this order. They were awarded four outstanding military or civilian merit during the war.

Order of the People's Army

Awarded to those who had fought with great distinction against the Axis powers during World War II, this military order was created, in three classes, on 29 December 1951. The medallion's inscription stands for "Yugoslav People's Army. Defence of the Fatherland".

Medal for Bravery

First instituted in 1943 and later revised in 1945, this gilt medal has "For Bravery" as it's reverse inscription.

Commemorative Medal for the 30th Anniversary of the Struggle against Fascism

Commemorative Medal for the 10th Anniversary of the Yugoslav Armed Forces

Commemorative Medal for the 30th Anniversary of the Yugoslav People's Army

Partisan Commemorative Medal 1941

Instituted on 14 September 1944 for award to those actively involved in partisan or political units between 1941 and the end of WW2. By the end of its awarding period (end 1963) 27,629 medals had been awarded.

Croatian Awards

After the German occupation of Yugoslavia, the Kingdom of Croatia was founded under German "supervision" on 10 April 1941. The Italian Duke of Spoleto was nominated King and Dr. Ante Pavelic became "Poglavnik" ("Leader", Prime Minister). Before its liberation in 1944, a number of awards were created and these can be found in another section of this website. See Croatian WW2 Awards.