Copyright © Hans Högman 2019-10-05
Swedish Military
Orders and Medals of
Bravery
Orders
An order is a visible honor awarded by a sovereign
state, monarch, dynastic royal house or organization
to a recipient, typically in recognition of individual
merit, that often comes with distinctive insignia such
as collars, medals, badges, and sashes worn by
recipients.
The Royal Order of the Sword - Svärdsorden
The Order of the Sword is a Swedish order of
chivalry and military decoration created by King
Frederick I of Sweden on February 23, 1748,
together with the Order of the Seraphim and the
Order of the Polar Star.
The motto of the Order of the Sword is in Latin: Pro
Patria (which means "For the Fatherland" (Swe: För
Fosterlandet)).
There were originally two grades, Knight (Riddare)
and Commander (Kommendör). In 1772 a third
grade was added, Commander Grand Cross
(Kommendör med stora korset).
In 1873 respectively 1889 these were multiplied by
division into two classes.
Grades:
1.
Commander Grand Cross (1772)
2.
Commander First Class (1873)
3.
Commander
4.
Knight First Class (1889)
5.
Knight
The Order of the Sword are awarded to officers as
an award for bravery in battle and particularly long
or useful service in times of piece.
The cross in the Order of the Sword is a Maltese
Cross with a blue enameled center with a sword
surrounded by the Swedish Three Crowns. The
ribbon is yellow and blue.
Riddare av Svärdsorden (Knights) are abbreviated
RSO and Kommendör av Svärdsorden (Commanders)
KSO.
As a special dignity, King Gustav III added the Knight
Grand Cross (Riddare med stora korset) in 1788,
which can only be awarded in a state of war. It was
in 1814 divided into two classes: Knight Grand Cross
First Class (Riddare med stora korset av första klass)
and Knight Grand Cross (Riddare med stora korset).
The Grand Cross has a belonging chain.
Membership of the order has not been awarded
since 1975, but technically it still exists.
Badge of the Sword - Svärdstecknet
The above grades proper were only given to
commissioned officers, but an affiliated decoration,
the Badge of the Sword (Svärdstecknet), introduced
in 1850, was awarded to non-commissioned officers;
one thus decorated would call himself a Sword man
(Svärdsman).
The badge of the Order is a white enameled Maltese
Cross in saltire.
Medal of the Sword - Svärdsmedaljen
The Medal of the Sword (Svärdsmedaljen) was
introduced for the other ranks (Swe: Underbefäl).
Both the non-commissioned officers and the other
ranks had to have served for at least sixteen years
to qualify respective for the Badge and Medal. The
Medal of the Sword is of also of silver and round
with a royal crown on it upper side.
War Cross of the Order of the Sword -
Svärdsordens krigskors
In 1952 a special medal of distinction was added to
the order. These could only be bestowed in a state
of war. They are the War Cross of the Order of the
Sword in Gold, in Silver and in Bronze.
Source References
•
Wikipedia
•
"Om tapperhetsmedaljer till underofficerare och
manskap", Birgitta Törnell, 1963.
•
The Swedish Armed Forces
•
The Royal Household (Hovstaten)
•
Nationalencyklopedin
•
Nordisk familjeordbok, 19th century edition
Top of page
Medals
A medal awarded for bravery, commonly called a
Medal of Bravery, Bravery Medal, or Medal of Valor
is a type of medal, usually associated with military
forces or police forces, given to personnel who have
served with gallantry, often for those who have
engaged in specific acts of bravery or valor.
Medals of Valor in the Field and at Sea
These two medals for bravery was created by King
Gustav III in 1789 and was meant to complement to
the Order of the Sword which are only awarded to
officers.
•
For Valor in the Field (För tapperhet i fält),
awarded from 28 May 1789 - the first Gallantry
Award.
•
For Valor at Sea (För tapperhet till sjöss),
awarded from 1807/09.
These medals were originally intended for non-
commissioned officers and enlisted men and in
silver. However, in 1806 a version in gold was
introduced for commissioned offices, Gold medal
for Valor in the Field (Guldmedalj för tapperhet i
fält).
In the war with Russia 1788 - 1790 a total of 1,900
medals were bestowed for valor in the field and 800
for valor at sea. The medal for Valor at Sea was
bestowed to the Army Fleet only.
The design is a round medal. The obverse side
shows the name of the medal, "FÖR TAPPERHET I
FÄLT" or "FÖR TAPPERHET TILL SJÖSS" encircled by
a wreath. The reverse side has since 1809 been
decorated by the symbol of the Order of the Sword.
Before that, the reverse carried a picture of Gustav
III and the text "GUSTAV III SVERIGES KONUNG"
("Gustav III King of Sweden"). A band in blue and
yellow has been issued with
the awards since 1819.
The image to the right shows
the Silver Medal of Valor in
the Field, reverse side. Army
Museum.
The image to the left shows
the Gold Medal of Valor in the
Field, reverse side, officers.
Livrustkammaren.
The corresponding medal for the Navy is the
Distinction Badge for Valor at Sea
(Distinktionstecknet för tapperhet till sjöss or
Örlogsflottans hederstecken). The Navy medal is
bestowed at a state of war to non-commissioned
officers and enlisted men. The medal
was introduced on 18 June 1789 by
Grand Admiral Duke Carl of
Södermanland and are in two grades.
The ribbon is yellow and black.
The image to the right shows the Navy
Distinction Badge for Valor at Sea.
Livrustkammaren.
The Fredrikshamn and Svensksund Medals
After the two victorious Army Fleet sea battles at
Fredrikshamn and Svensksund in 1790 during the
War with Russia 1788 - 1790, King Gustav III created
special medals for bravery for the participants in
those two battles. The medals are in two sizes.
There were three types of medals:
1.
The Svensksund Medal
2.
The Fredrikshamn Medal
3.
The Combination Medal
The Combination medal for valor were awarded to
those who participated in both battles.
The text on the reverse side of respective medal:
•
The Svensksund Medal: 53 FIENTELIGE FARTYG
ERÖFRADE DEN 9 JULII 1790
•
The Fredrikshamn Medal: 40 FIENTELIGE
FARTYG ERÖFRADE DEN 15 MAII 1790
•
The Combination Medal: 40 FIENTELIGE
FARTYG ERÖFRADE DEN 15 MAII OCH 53 DEN 9
JULII 1790
The above text on respective medal reads “40 / 53
enemy ships captured on 15 May 1790 / 9 July 1790”
The Fredrikshamn medal, obverse and reverse
side of the medal.
