1 – 'Krigskorset (med sverd)'
The War Cross (with Sword).
Instituted May 23-1941 by King Haakon VII, and awarded for the first time on December 12-1941. Given to Norwegian or foreign civilians and military personnel who have distinguished themselves by personal bravery or by leadership of a troop division, flight division or vessel during battle.
Among others, captain Nic. F. Lindtner and two of his engineers, Bjarne Smørdal and Johan Karlsen received this medal after the daring escape with their ship, M/S Lidvard from Dakar to Freetown. See my pages M/S Lidvard and Interned Ships. The captain and the chief engineer (Smørdal) were also named to "Officers of the Order of the British Empire" by King George VI, and Lindtner in addition received "Lloyds Silver Medal for Meritorious Services". The rest of the crew received Krigsmedaljen.
Additional swords can be awarded as warranted. So far, the most swords that have been given to one and the same person is 3 (to Gunnar Sønsteby, for his service in the resistance movement - There's a book written by him, entitled "Report from #24", it can be purchased from Amazon.com). This medal carries the highest rank of all Norwegian decorations (whether it be war medals or otherwise). Here's a list of people who have received it (external link). |
On a uniform the pin (above) can be worn instead of the medal. The medal consists of the "Olav's Cross" with the Norwegian coat of arms in the middle.
Here's more information (external page - text in Norwegian only).
List of recipients (also external)
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2 –'St. Olavsmedaljen med eikegren'
St. Olav's Medal with Oak Branch.
The St. Olav's Medal was instituted on March 17-1939 as an award for spreading knowledge of Norway abroad to the benefit of the country, and for furthering relations and solidarity between Norway and emigrated Norwegians.
On Febr. 6-1942 it was decided that in a war situation the medal could also be awarded for other services for the country, then on March 22-1943 it was determined that it was to be supplied with a silver oak branch when awarded for personal courage and bravery in the fight for Norway. More branches could be added if the recipient distinguished himself again (from Oct. 6-1943).
The medal is made of silver and has the portrait, name and motto of the reigning king, who was Haakon VII in this case. Here's an example of the "regular" St. Olav's Medal, portraying King Olav V, the son of Haakon (this picture sent by Darren Dypevåg - external link).
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This picture was sent to me by Harald Hallberg, who says it was made by Spink's in London during the war. He adds that the ribbon has a special shine compared to later issues, and that a lot of them were made in Oslo after the war, all the way up to 1989 when it was last awarded.
Here's more information (external page - text in Norwegian only).
List of recipients (also external).
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3 – 'Haakon VII's frihetskors'
Haakon VII's Liberty Cross.
May 18-1945. For excellence in military or civilian activity during the war, including service on the administrative level (awarded Norwegians as well as foreigners). The color of the ribbon is not as dark as this, but bright blue.
This medal is a Maltese cross in white enamel. In the middle of the cross there's a circular field (12 mm) with Haakon VII's initials over the letter V (Victoria=victory) in gilded silver on a red base. The reverse side has the King's motto "Alt for Norge" (All for Norway) and the date June 7 1945, which is the date the king returned to Norway after his period of exile during the war years. The ribbon is 30 mm. |
On a uniform the pin (above) can be worn instead of the medal.
Here's more information (external page - text in Norwegian only).
Recipients (also external).
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4 - 'Krigsmedaljen'
The War Medal. *
Since May 23, 1941. This medal can be awarded Norwegian or foreign military personnel and civilians who have actively and honorably participated in the war for Norway.
The medal has King Haakon VII's portrait, name and motto on the front, and a wreath and the text "War Medal" (Krigsmedalje) on the reverse side. In the middle on each side (along the edges of the reverse side) it has the King's initials. It's 32 mm and made of bronze.
If a recipient meets the requirements for receiving it again, he will get a star each time he does so (to be pinned to the ribbon), though one and the same person cannot be awarded more that 3 stars.
The distribution ceased in 1951, but in 1979 it was determined by Royal decree that this medal was to be awarded Norwegian and foreign seamen who served on Nortraship's vessels during WW II for 18 months, or on board Norwegian Navy vessels. In the period Dec. 10-1979/Dec. 31-1987 it was given to 10 755 people.
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On a uniform the pin (above) can be worn instead of the medal.
Here's more information (external page - text in Norwegian only).
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5 - 'Frihetsmedaljen' or 'Haakon VII's frihetsmedalje'
Haakon VII's Liberty Medal. *
Since May 18, 1945. Awarded Norwegian or foreign military personnel or civilians who serve Norway's cause in a war, including service on the administrative level (without necessarily having fought in a battle).
It's 33 mm, made of bronze with King Haakon VII's initials over the letter V (Victoria=victory) and "Alt for Norge (All for Norway) 1940-1945". The ribbon is 32 mm, and is not at all as dark as it looks here. It's bright blue in color (see the link below to the "picture of all the medals", which shows the correct color.
My father received this one in 1989, more than 40 years after the war had ended. I believe a M. M. recipient would have had to serve for at least 54 months in order to receive this medal (on Norwegian and/or allied ships). If anyone can confirm this, please let me know. |
On a uniform the pin (above) can be worn instead of the medal.
Here's more information (external page - text in Norwegian only).
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6 – 'Deltakermedaljen'
Participant Medal. *
Instituted September 19-1945. It was given to all who participated in battle and/or was wounded, and:
1) Norwegian and allied military personnel who participated in the war in Norway 1940 for at least five days.
1b) Civilian personnel who performed duties in close connection with the military forces such as railroad personnel, telegraph personnel, hospital pers. etc., for at least 5 days.
2) Personnel who served in the armed Norwegian forces or the Merchant Marine outside of Norway for at least 4 months (forces who took part in the advance on Norway in connection with the liberation got the medal even if they had served outside of Norway for less than 4 months).
3) Personnel activated in Norway in the winter of 1944-45 and who participated in the Finnmark campaign for at least one month.
4) Allied personnel who took part in the liberation of Norway for at least one month.
5) Personnel in the Home Forces who before May 8 1945 (Norway's liberation) had served for at least 4 months.
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The ribbon is 32 mm. and could be supplied with a rosette when warranted.
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Reverse
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The medal is 33 mm and made of bronze. On the front it has the Norwegian coat of arms and the text "APRIL 9 1940 - MAY 8 1945". On the reverse side it has the King's flag, the state flag and the commercial (trade?) flag (barely visible) with a narrow circle over them with the text "Participant in the battle". On a uniform the pin can be worn instead of the medal.
As late as the summer of 2000 hundreds of WW II veterans had still not received their medal.
Here's more information (external page - text in Norwegian only).
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7 – 'Haakon VII's 70-års-medalje'
Haakon VII's 70th birthday Medal.
Instituted Oct. 27-1942 in accordance with His Majesty's wish, to commemorate his 70th birthday on Aug. 3-1942. Awarded military personnel who served in The Norwegian armed forces in Great Britain on Aug. 3-1942.
The medal is 32 mm and has a portrait of the King and the text "Haakon VII King of Norway" ("Haakon VII Norges Konge"). It has the King's crown on top and the ribbon is 32 mm.
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On a uniform the pin (above) can be worn instead of the medal.
Here's more information (external page - text in Norwegian only).
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All these medals become the personal property of the recipients and will not be returned upon their death. The medals could also be handed out posthumously and given to the closest relative of the deceased.
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Here's a picture of all the medals next to each other - this picture was also kindly sent to me by Harald Hallberg. Additionally, he sent me a lovely picture of St. Olav Ridder 1. klasse (St. Olav Knight 1st Class) and says that No. 2 from the right was made by Spink during the war; only 53 were awarded, mostly to Non-Norwegians. It's in gilded silver and somewhat smaller than the other "knight crosses" from 1882, 1906,1942 and 1937-2002 respectively.
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Some websites with Norwegian medals:
Medals of the second World War - This site shows the medals in a lot clearer detail than my own pictures here.
Orders, Decorations and Medals of Norway - Main page: Medals of the world
Orders, Decorations & Medals - World wide (not just WW II).
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