Order of Michael the Brave
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The Order of Michael the Brave (Romanian: Ordinul Mihai Viteazul) is Romania's highest military decoration, instituted by King Ferdinand I during the early stages of the Romanian Campaign of World War I, and was again awarded in World War II. The Order, which may be bestowed as an individual medal or as a unit award, was named in honor of late 16th century Wallachian Prince Michael the Brave.
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[edit] Data
- Requirements: Awarded to officers only for exceptional deeds on the battlefield. It is the highest ranking Romanian military order.
- Classes: 3rd, 2nd and 1st
- Date Instituted: September 26, 1916
- Number awarded: 2184
- During WW1:
- 1st class: 16
- 2nd class: 12
- 3rd class: 336 (of which 43 awarded to military units)
- During WW2:
- 1st class: 15
- 2nd class: 76 (of which 13 awarded to military units)
- 3rd class: 1628 (of which 118 awarded to military units)
- During WW1:
[edit] Recipients
- Ion Antonescu
- Alexandru Averescu
- Radu Bâldescu
- Nicolae Dabija
- Corneliu Dragalina
- Grigore Gafencu
- Eremia Grigorescu
- Michael I of Romania (as Commander-in-Chief of the Romanian Army in 1941)
- Radu Korne
- Mihail Lascăr
- Leonard Mociulschi
- Ioan Palaghiţă
- Constantin Prezan
- Corneliu Teodorini
During World War II, at a time when Romania was allied with Nazi Germany (see Romania during World War II), the Order has been awarded to several members of the Axis military forces:
- Fedor von Bock
- Walther von Brauchitsch
- Karl Dönitz
- Hermann Göring
- Hermann Hoth
- Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
- Erich von Manstein
- Friedrich Paulus
- Wolfram von Richthofen
- Gerd von Rundstedt
- Walter Warlimont
