Copyright © Hans Högman 2021-01-11
Swedish Military
Orders and Medals of
Bravery
Orders
An order is a visible honor awarded by a sovereign
state, monarch, dynastic royal house or organization
to a recipient, typically in recognition of individual
merit, that often comes with distinctive insignia such
as collars, medals, badges, and sashes worn by
recipients.
The Royal Order of the Sword - Svärdsorden
The Order of the Sword is a Swedish order of
chivalry and military decoration created by King
Frederick I of Sweden on February 23, 1748,
together with the Order of the Seraphim and the
Order of the Polar Star.
The motto of the Order of the Sword is in Latin: Pro
Patria (which means "For the Fatherland" (Swe: För
Fosterlandet)).
There were originally two grades, Knight (Riddare)
and Commander (Kommendör). In 1772 a third
grade was added, Commander Grand Cross
(Kommendör med stora korset).
In 1873 respectively 1889 these were multiplied by
division into two classes.
Grades:
1.
Commander Grand Cross (1772)
2.
Commander First Class (1873)
3.
Commander
4.
Knight First Class (1889)
5.
Knight
The Order of the Sword are awarded to officers as
an award for bravery in battle and particularly long
or useful service in times of piece.
The cross in the Order of the Sword is a Maltese
Cross with a blue enameled center with a sword
surrounded by the Swedish Three Crowns. The
ribbon is yellow and blue.
Riddare av Svärdsorden (Knights) are abbreviated
RSO and Kommendör av Svärdsorden (Commanders)
KSO.
As a special dignity, King Gustav III added the Knight
Grand Cross (Riddare med stora korset) in 1788,
which can only be awarded in a state of war. It was
in 1814 divided into two classes: Knight Grand Cross
First Class (Riddare med stora korset av första klass)
and Knight Grand Cross (Riddare med stora korset).
The Grand Cross has a belonging chain.
Membership of the order has not been awarded
since 1975, but technically it still exists.
Badge of the Sword - Svärdstecknet
The above grades proper were only given to
commissioned officers, but an affiliated decoration,
the Badge of the Sword (Svärdstecknet), introduced
in 1850, was awarded to non-commissioned officers;
one thus decorated would call himself a Sword man
(Svärdsman).
The badge of the Order is a white enameled Maltese
Cross in saltire.
Medal of the Sword - Svärdsmedaljen
The Medal of the Sword (Svärdsmedaljen) was
introduced for the other ranks (Swe: Underbefäl och
manskap). Both the non-commissioned officers and
the other ranks had to have served for at least
sixteen years to qualify respective for the Badge and
Medal. The Medal of the Sword is
of also of silver and round with a
royal crown on it upper side.
The Medal of the Sword was
instituted by King Oscar on 26 June
1850.
The image to the right shows the
Medal of the Sword
“Svärdsmedaljen”. Image,
Armémuseum on Digitaltmuseum.
War Cross of the Order of the Sword -
Svärdsordens krigskors
In 1952 a special medal of distinction was added to
the order. These could only be bestowed in a state
of war. They are the War Cross of the Order of the
Sword in Gold, in Silver and in Bronze.
Source References
•
Wikipedia
•
"Om tapperhetsmedaljer till underofficerare
och manskap", Birgitta Törnell, 1963.
•
The Swedish Armed Forces
•
The Royal Household (Hovstaten)
•
Nationalencyklopedin
•
Nordisk familjeordbok, 19th century edition
Top of page
Medals
A medal awarded for bravery, commonly called a
Medal of Bravery, Bravery Medal, or Medal of Valor
is a type of medal, usually associated with military
forces or police forces, given to personnel who have
served with gallantry, often for those who have
engaged in specific acts of bravery or valor.
Medals of Valor in the Field and at Sea
These two medals for bravery was created by King
Gustav III in 1789 and was meant to complement to
the Order of the Sword which are only awarded to
officers.
•
For Valor in the Field (För tapperhet i fält),
awarded from 28 May 1789 - the first
Gallantry Award.
•
For Valor at Sea (För tapperhet till sjöss),
awarded from 1807/09.
These medals were originally intended for non-
commissioned officers and enlisted men and in
silver. However, in 1806 a version in gold was
introduced for commissioned offices, Gold medal
for Valor in the Field (Guldmedalj för tapperhet i
fält).
In the war with Russia 1788 - 1790 a total of 1,900
medals were bestowed for valor in the field and 800
for valor at sea. The medal for Valor at Sea was
bestowed to the Army Fleet only.
The design is a round medal. The obverse side
shows the name of the medal, "FÖR TAPPERHET I
FÄLT" or "FÖR TAPPERHET TILL SJÖSS" encircled by
a wreath. The reverse side has since 1809 been
decorated by the symbol of the Order of the Sword.
Before that, the reverse carried a picture of Gustav
III and the text "GUSTAV III SVERIGES KONUNG"
("Gustav III King of Sweden"). A band in blue and
yellow has been issued with
the awards since 1819.
The image to the right shows
the Silver Medal of Valor in
the Field, reverse side. Army
Museum.
The image to the left shows
the Gold Medal of Valor in the
Field, reverse side, officers.
Livrustkammaren.
The corresponding medal for the Navy is the
Distinction Badge for Valor at Sea
(Distinktionstecknet för tapperhet till sjöss or
Örlogsflottans hederstecken). The Navy medal is
bestowed at a state of war to non-commissioned
officers and enlisted men. The medal
was introduced on 18 June 1789 by
Grand Admiral Duke Carl of
Södermanland and are in two grades.
The ribbon is yellow and black.
The image to the right shows the Navy
Distinction Badge for Valor at Sea.
Livrustkammaren.
The Fredrikshamn and Svensksund Medals
After the two victorious Army Fleet sea battles at
Fredrikshamn and Svensksund in 1790 during the
War with Russia 1788 - 1790, King Gustav III created
special medals for bravery for the participants in
those two battles. The medals are in two sizes.
There were three types of medals:
1.
The Svensksund Medal
2.
The Fredrikshamn Medal
3.
The Combination Medal
The Combination medal for valor were awarded to
those who participated in both battles.
The text on the reverse side of respective medal:
•
The Svensksund Medal: 53 FIENTELIGE FARTYG
ERÖFRADE DEN 9 JULII 1790
•
The Fredrikshamn Medal: 40 FIENTELIGE
FARTYG ERÖFRADE DEN 15 MAII 1790
•
The Combination Medal: 40 FIENTELIGE
FARTYG ERÖFRADE DEN 15 MAII OCH 53 DEN 9
JULII 1790
The above text on respective medal reads “40 / 53
enemy ships captured on 15 May 1790 / 9 July 1790”
The Fredrikshamn medal, obverse and reverse
side of the medal.
Top, Medal for Bravery in Battle, silver.
Bottom, Medal of the Sword, silver.
Top, Medal for Marksman, silver.
Bottom left, Badge for Marksman, silver.
Bottom right, Badge for Marksman, voluntary rifle
clubs.
Medals for Men, Early 1900s
Present-Day Medals
Swedish Armed Forces Medal of Merit (1995
- 2009)
The Swedish Armed Forces Medal of Merit (Swe:
Försvarsmaktens förtjänstmedalj) is a military
reward medal established in 1995. The medal, in
silver or gold, has been awarded to personnel who
performed extraordinary effort that benefited the
Swedish Armed Forces, for example, with
resourcefulness and energetically action and with an
example of excellent leadership and personal
commitment.
In 2007, this medal was merged with the Swedish
Armed Forces International Service Medal of Reward
and instead the Swedish Armed Forces Medal of
Merit was established in 2008.
The medal is of the 8th size and
the ribbon is of yellow moiré. A
sword in gold/silver may be
attached to the ribbon.
The image to the right shows the
Swedish Armed Forces Medal of
Merit in gold. Image: Army
Museum.
Swedish Armed Forces International Service
Medal of Reward (1995–2009)
The Swedish Armed Forces International Service Medal
of Reward (Swe: Försvarsmaktens belöningsmedalj
för internationella insatser) in gold or silver with
Sword is a is a military reward medal established in
1995.
The regulations for the Swedish Armed Forces
International Service Medal of Reward comes under
the Supreme Commander's decision on 14 March
1995 which reads as follows: “The medal and a
certificate is awarded to individual as a reward for
commendable efforts during UN service or other
international service”.
In 2007, this medal was merged with
the Swedish Armed Forces Medal of
Merit (the 1995 medal) and instead
the Swedish Armed Forces Medal of
Merit was established in 2008.
The image to the right shows the the
Swedish Armed Forces International
Service Medal of Reward in gold with
the sword. Image Wikipedia.
Swedish Armed Forces Medal of Merit 2008 -
The Swedish Armed Forces Medal of Merit (Swe:
Försvarsmaktens förtjänstmedalj) is a military
reward medal instituted on 8 february 2008 and is
awarded to individuals for action during combat or
during war-like situations.
The decision to award the medal is taken by the
Supreme Commander and can be awarded to both
Swedish and foreign personnel.
The Medal of Merit established in 2008 can be
awarded regardless of the circumstances prevailing
at the time of the operation; national, international
operations, actions during war-like circumstances or
other personal effort or activity.
The medal is divided into two classes, gold medal
and silver medal. The obverse side shows the
Swedish Armed Forces heraldic arms and around
the outer edge the text "FOR MERITORIOUS
SERVICES" (FÖR FÖRTJÄNSTFULLA INSATSER). The
reverse shows around the outer edge a laurel
wreath and is otherwise smooth and can be
equipped with the holder's name, year of awarding
and, if appropriate, country. The medal is also made
in miniature.
In each class, the medal can be awarded either for
actions in battle or during war-like situations or for
personal efforts in other circumstances.
The medal is worn with a blue ribbon with a broad
yellow stripe in the middle and one narrow on each
side. On the ribbon there is an erect sword in gold or
silver if the medal is awarded for actions in combat
or during war-like situations.
The medal was established in 2008
through a merger between the
Swedish Armed Forces International
Service Medal of Reward and the
former Swedish Armed Forces Medal of
Merit. These two medals are no
longer awarded.
The image to the right shows the
Swedish Armed Forces Medal of
Merit in silver coated with a sword in
silver. Image: Wikipedia.
Instead of the medal, the service ribbon can be
worn. It's provided with a horizontal sword of gold
or silver if the medal awarded for actions in combat
or during war-like situations.
The image to the right shows the
service ribbon of the Swedish
Armed Forces Medal of Merit.
Image: Wikipedia.
Swedish Armed Forces Medal for Wounded
in Battle
The Swedish Armed Forces Medal for Wounded in Battle
(Swe: Försvarsmaktens medalj för sårade i strid) is a
reward medal awarded to Swedish Armed Forces
personnel wounded directly or indirectly as a result
of battle during international mission.
The medal was instituted by the government on 25
March 2011 and was developed by the Swedish
Armed Forces in collaboration with the Kungl. Maj:ts
orden and the National Swedish Museums of
Military History with its Board of Military Traditions.
The medal is available in gold and silver and is
worn in with ribbon where the red symbolizes the
blood and the black mourning. The silver medal is
awarded to Swedish Armed Forces personnel
wounded in action. The gold medal can be
posthumously awarded to those who had been
killed in action. On the medal is a
laurel wreath and the text "With life
at stake" (Med livet som insats) and
"For Sweden" (För Sverige) and the
name of the person who receives it.
The image to the right shows the
Swedish Armed Forces Medal for
Wounded in Battle. Image Swedish
Armed Forces.
Instead of the medal, the service
ribbon can be worn. It can be provided with one or
two stars of silver.
The mage to the right shows the
service ribbon of the the Swedish
Armed Forces Medal for Wounded in Battle. Image:
Wikipedia.
Service Ribbon
A medal ribbon, service ribbon, or ribbon bar is a
small ribbon, mounted on a small metal bar
equipped with an attaching device, which is
generally issued for wear in place of a medal when it
is not appropriate to wear the actual medal.
Each country's government has its own rules on
what ribbons can be worn in what circumstances
and in which order.
