Military Decoration (Belgium)

Military Decoration
Decoration Militaire with gallantry ribbon
Awarded by Kingdom of Belgium
Type	Military decoration,
Eligibility	Non-Commissioned Officers and other ranks of the Belgian Armed Forces
Awarded for	Gallantry or 10 or 15 years' long and good service.
Status	Currently awarded
Statistics
Established	22 December 1873
Precedence
Next (higher)	Military Cross
Next (lower)	Cross of Honour for Military Service Abroad

The Military Decoration (Dutch: Militaire Decoratie, French: Decoration Militaire) is a military decoration of Belgium. It was established on 22 December 1873 and is awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks in the Belgian Armed Forces for gallantry or loyal and uninterrupted service. The Military Cross is the equivalent award for commissioned officers.

Classes

The Military Decoration is awarded in two classes:

The first is awarded for a minimum of ten years' good service, or for fifteen years' service with a gilt chevron added to the ribbon. It has a ribbon of repeating red/yellow/black/yellow stripes.

The second is awarded for gallantry or devotion to duty, and is also referred to as an 'Article 4' award. The medal is the same but the ribbon is red with a pair of yellow and black stripes set in from the edges, yellow outermost. A silver palm can be worn on the ribbon for acts of gallantry during wartime.

Insigna

The medallion shows the Belgian Lion within a circlet inscribed with the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE. Reverse side shows the royal monogram and the inscription ARMEE * MERITE * ANCIENNETE.

See also

• Cross of Honour for Military Service Abroad
• Military Cross (Belgium)
• Commemorative Medal for Armed Humanitarian Operations
• Commemorative Medal for Foreign Operation or Mission
• Medal of Military Merit (Belgium)
• Commemorative Medals for Army Marches
• List of Belgian decorations
• List of Belgian military decorations

References

• Clarke JD,Gallantry Medals & Awards of the World

External links

• Belgian Military Decoration at Northeastmedals