The Order of Prince Pribina

Authorized on 8 May 1940, this order was awarded for civil or military merit mainly to German or Italian high-ranking officers. From 4 March 1942, awards for military merit were made "with swords". Five classes and a special class, a gold collar, were instituted.

The Order of the Slovakian Cross

Similar to the previous order, this one also had 6 classes and was instituted on the same day. Furthermore, 3 classes of medals of the order were created. Awards "with swords" were also foreseen from 4 March 1942 onwards.

The War Victory Cross

This decoration has a misleading name as it is in fact an order. Originally instituted on 11 September 1939 in three classes, this order underwent some changes in 1942 and finally on 30 November 1943 the final form was decided on, authorising a total of 8 classes of which the final three were medals and which include a "Grand Cross with Collar". The order was to reward distinguished leadership of troops in the field and could be awarded with or without swords.

The Medal for Bravery

Instituted on 8 May 1939 as a single (gilt) medal, a 2nd and 3rd class (resp. silver and bronze) were added on 11 September 1939. The original gilt medal thus became the 1st class and hangs from a predominantly red ribbon. These medals were awarded for bravery in action but an award for military merit also exists. In the latter case the ribbon carries a laurel wreath with a riband inscribed "ZA ZASLUHY" (For Merit) and, for practical purposes, can be said to be the 4th class of this medal.

The Medal for the Defence of Slovakia

This short-lived medal, instituted on 8 May 1939 and suspended in October 1940, exists in two designs : one for incidents on the Slovak-Hungarian border in March 1939 and one for actions on the Polish border in September 1939 at the time of the German invasion of Poland. Only the latter type relates to WW2 and differs from the first design by its reverse description which reads "ZA OBRANU SLOVENSKA JAVORINA ORAVA". The medal itself is a bronze shield showing a vertical sword and laurel and linden leaves with a scroll dated "1939" superimposed. The ribbon is blue with a white centre stripe and white and red edge stripes. Three bars exist but for WW2 one should only consider "JAVORINA" and "IX 1939".

The Cross of Merit for the Defence of the State

Instituted in 1939 and suspended on 1 December 1942, this is a white enamelled cross in either silver (1st class) or bronze (2nd class) and was awarded for meritorious service in assisting in the security of the state and the armed forces.

The Medals for Merit in the Suppression of the Rebellion 1944

Instituted in 1944 in connection with the national rebellion against the Tiso regime, which was crushed by the Germans. Two sizes of medals (36mm and 30mm) each in three classes (gilt, silvered and bronze) were created, bearing the head of Dr. Tiso, surrounded by laurel leaves and a legend, on the obverse.

The Eastern Front Service Badge of Honour