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Kingdom of Bulgaria |
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Orders
Military Order "For Bravery"
Voenen Orden "Za Hrabrost"
The Military Order "For Bravery," also commonly referred to as the Military Bravery Order,
was Bulgaria's highest decoration for bravery in combat. Like most Bulgarian orders, the grades of
the decoration were awarded based on the rank of the recipient. Thus, for example, the IV. Class would
be awarded to junior officers. The order was established in 1880 and awarded in five classes - the Grand Cross and
the I. through IV. Classes. In addition, there was an associated Soldier's Cross for
Bravery, awarded in four classes (gold and silver crosses, with and without ribbon bow),
which was intended for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. For the 1915 and 1941 versions
of the order, awarded during World War I and World War II respectively, the III. and IV. Classes
were divided into two grades. For each, the 1st grade was a pinback cross worn on the left breast, similar to the
Prussian/German Iron Cross 1st Class, while the 2nd grade was worn from a ribbon. The ribbon of the order was pale
blue (subject to fading as seen below) with silver edge stripes. As was customary in a number of German and
Central European states, this ribbon could also be used for certain other Bulgarian decorations as a
"war ribbon."
Military Order for Bravery, IV. Class, 2nd Grade
Voenen Orden "Za Hrabrost" IV stepen, 2 klas
Royal Order of St. Alexander
Tsarski Orden "Sv. Aleksandar"
The Royal Order of St. Alexander was established in 1887. It was awarded for both civil and
military merit. It was awarded in seven grades - the Grand Cross and the I. through
VI. Classes. As with other Bulgarian orders, rank generally determined which grade one would receive.
The VI. Class was a non-enameled silver merit cross intended for NCOs and lower-
ranking civil servants. The ribbon was red. Unlike several other Bulgarian awards, there
was no provision for awarding the Order of St. Alexander on the "war ribbon" (the ribbon of
the Military Order "For Bravery"). Military awards were indicated by crosses swords. As with
several Prussian orders, there was also a provision for awards with "swords on ring" which indicated
that a recipient of the order without swords had previously received a lower grade of the
order with swords. The various grades could also be awarded with and without crown
IV. Class (Officer's Cross) with Crown
IV stepen (Ofitserski krast) s korona
VI. Class (Silver Cross) with Swords and Crown
VI stepen (Srebaren krast) c mechove po sredama c korona
VI. Class (Silver Cross) with Swords without Crown
VI stepen (Srebaren krast) c mechove po sredama bez korona
Order of Merit
Orden "Za Zasluga"
The Order of Merit was established in 1883 and was a relatively simple design,
having only two classes, neither of which was enameled. It was a military distinction, as
indicated by the crossed swords. The statute ribbon was red, the same as the Order of
St. Alexander, but wartime awards could be made on the "war ribbon" (the ribbon of
the Military Order "For Bravery").
National Order "For Military Merit"
Naroden Orden "Za Voenna Zasluga"
The National Order "For Military Merit," also commonly referred to as the Order
of Military Merit or the Military Merit Order, was Bulgaria's principle military decoration, awarded for
meritorious service, long and distinguished service, leadership, etc. It was established in
1900 and awarded in six classes, the I. through VI. Class. The VI. Class was a silver merit cross
intended for non-commissioned officers. All grades of the order came with swords; they were
part of the badge of the order and there was no provision for awards without swords. The
V. Class (Knight's Cross) and the VI. Class (Merit Cross) could be awarded without the crown as a lower
distinction. Several classes of the order could be awarded on the "war ribbon" (the ribbon of the
Military Order "For Bravery") for merit in wartime.
III. Class (Commander's Cross)
III stepen (Komandirski krast)
IV. Class (Officer's Cross)
IV stepen (Ofitserski krast)
National Order "For Civil Merit"
Naroden orden "Za Grazhdanska Zasluga"
The National Order "For Civil Merit," also commonly referred to as the Order
of Civil Merit or the Civil Merit Order, was Bulgaria's principle civil decoration, parallel to
the National Order "For Military Merit" and also awarded for meritorious service,
long and distinguished service, leadership, etc. It was established in 1891. Its classes w
were generally the same as those of the National Order "For Military Merit" and its badge was
of a similar design, with white enamel instead of red on the arms and with a sprig of oakleaves and acorns
between the arms rather than swords.
V. Class (Knight's Cross) without Crown
V stepen (Kavelerski krast) bez korona
Long Service, Campaign and Commemorative Medals
Officer's 10-Year Long Service Cross
Ofitserski znak za 10-godishna otlichna sluzhba
Reverse
NCO's 10-Year Long Service Cross
Podofitserski znak za 10-godishna otlichna sluzhba
Reverse
Commemorative Cross "For the Independence of Bulgaria 1908"
Vazpominatelen Krast "Za nezavisimostta na Balgaria 1908 godina"
Commemorative Medals for the Balkan Wars and World War One
Vazpominatelni medali za voinite 1912-1913 i 1915-1918 g.
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