The Victoria Cross?

Question

is the highest award for bravery in combat awarded to members of the UK Armed Forces. Apart from France, which obviously has no need of awards for bravery, what are the equivalents in other countries?

Answer 1

The French do have the Legion of Honour the main reason being it can be awarded to soldiers of other country's who fight to free them after they surrender.

Answer 2

While Britain has the Victoria Cross, Australia now has its own seperate version, as does New Zealand.

Canada to issues its own versions of Military Merit and Bravery awards.

The Purple Heart was originally proposed by George Washington for Merit in the American War of independence, it did not however come into the medal form we know today until the 1940's and now is issued for being wounded and nothing to do with bravery.

The Medal of Honor is the highest US Military award.

The French contrary to some idiots notions have always been awarding the Legion of Honor in five classes for bravery, it was instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte.

The highest German Award was the Pour le Merite, and the Iron Cross 1813 - 1870 - 1914 and 1939 versions, in WWI2 adolf added the Knights Cross variants, classes that did not exist before this in the Prussian linage.

Nearly all countries in Europe issue military medals, the exception being Switzerland, they just issue coloured ribbons to fix on the dress uniform.

To list all the Bravery Medals by country from around the world, here, would require lots more space than allowed.

Answer 3

The Silver Star is the fourth highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is also the third highest award given for valor (in the face of the enemy).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Star

The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration which may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the 9th highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Star_Medal

Awards that award for bravery for the US is the Soldiers Medal. In my oppinion is the highest medal a soldier can be awarded. Even other countries can be awarded this medal from the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier's_Medal

THINK ABOUT IT.

Answer 4

The Victoria Cross is or has been the top award for all Commonwealth countries. ome, such as New Zealand, have replaced the British VC with their own one (only one NZ VC has been awarded).

I have no idea where your funny idea about France "not needing awards for bravery" comes from, but the top French medal is Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur - and has been since Napoleon - long before the VC, or most other medals. Remember, France won the first world war - look up the battle of Verdun.

Germany - Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes (Special class of the Grand Cross) of the Federal Order Of Merit. Up to the end of WWII it was the "Pour Le Merit" or "Blue Max"

You'll find a complete list bycountry at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_decorations

Answer 5

In Germany, their highest ranking decoration would have been the Knights Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.
Only 1 of this type was ever awarded. Interesting huh?

ps. Audie Murphy was awarded the Legion D'honneur as well as the Croix de Guerre by the French. The Belgians gave him a gong or two as well. Lucky guy!

Answer 6

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valour in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Israel has a Medal of Valour, too, though that's all I know about it.

Answer 7

The Purple Heart, the oldest military decoration in the world still in use, is awarded to those wounded or killed as a result of engaging the enemy while serving in the U.S. military.
The Medal of Honor
Of all the awards that a member of the U.S. armed forces can receive, none is more prestigious than the Medal of Honor. It is the military’s highest honor, awarded to officers and enlisted personnel alike for individual acts of bravery in combat.
The George Cross ranks with the Victoria Cross as the British nation's highest award for gallantry, and was instituted in 1940 to recognise actions of supreme gallantry in circumstances for which the Victoria Cross was not appropriate.

Thus, it may be awarded to civilians, as well as members of the Armed Forces for acts of gallantry not in the presence of the enemy, including, for example, military explosive ordnance disposal personnel. It was also famously awarded to the Island of Malta for its collective gallantry during the Second World War. It is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger."

Answer 8

Germany has The Blue Max - there was a film with the title. France has The Legion d'honneur

Answer 9

Why has France no need for one?? As a former member of the British Army and the French Foreign Legion I feel particulary insulted by this slur on a fine military force.

Answer 10

The USA, has, actually, reciprocated, to the POSTHUMOUS award, of an "HONORARY" V.C., - to their "UNKNOWN WARRIOR", by awarding their "CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOUR", to the U.K.'s "UNKNOWN WARRIOR"!