The Order "Virtuti Militari" (for Military Merit) The was established in 1792 by King Stanislaw August Poniatowski of Poland as the highest military decoration for gallantry the Polish nation bestows upon it's soldiers for acts of heroism above and beyond the call of duty. The VIRTUTI MILITARI is functional equivalent to the American Medal of Honor, the German Pour le M?rite, or the British Victoria Cross, being the highest purely military award for gallantry.

It came in 5 classes:

First Class, Black enamel cross edged in gold, with crown, worn on sash, star on breast.

Second Class, Black enamel cross in gold, with crown, worn at the neck.

Third Class, Black enamel cross (smaller), no crown. Worn on breast.

Fourth Class, Gold cross with black lettering.

Worn on breast.

Fifth Class, Silver cross with black lettering.

Worn on breast.