Luxembourg War Cross

The Luxembourg War Cross is a military decoration of Luxembourg. It was first created on 17 April 1945 by the Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg.^[1][2] The War Cross recognizes military service and feats of bravery performed between the years of 1940 and 1945.^[1][2] The concept of the medal was based on the French Croix de guerre, and the medal is often referred to as the Luxembourg Croix de guerre.^[3]

Luxembourg bestowed the War Cross on both Luxembourg citizens and members of the Allied Forces who liberated Luxembourg from German occupation.^[3] The Luxembourg War Cross wass one of the rarest foreign decorations bestowed on allied troops due to the small number of combat operations that took place in Luxembourg—in contrast to major fighting in places like Belgium, France, and Germany.^[3] In addition to the War Cross Medal, Luxembourg also has a War Cross unit citation that they bestow on military units that perform feats of bravery equal to those required for the individual award.^[3]

Medal

The medal is a dark bronze cross in the Cross pattée design.^[2][3] On the obverse side it has a crown with a large letter "C" on it.^[1][2][3] The reverse side of it has the number "1940".^[1][2][3] The cross has crossed swords running inside it, also made of the dark bronze.^[1][2][3]

Unit Citation

When awarded to a military unit the award is known as the Luxembourg Croix de guerre unit award. Members of the unit wear the award in the form of a blue and yellow ribbon, enclosed within a gold frame.^[3] To represent the unit's receipt of the award a streamer in the same colors as the ribbon is carried on the unit's standard.

References