ORDERS AND DECORATIONS OF POLAND
People's Republic of Poland 1944-1989
(Click here to see updates)


Organizational Decorations (2)

RURAL YOUTH ASSOCIATION
(ZWIAZEK MLODZIEZY WIEJSKIEJ - ZMW)

A youth organization founded 1957, grouping young people mostly from rural areas. In 1976 it was incorporated into the Polish Socialist Youth Association, to branch off again in 1980. In 1989 it adopted a new program and since then it has been in close alliance with the Polish People's Party.

* * *

1.Obverse
2.Reverse

Rural Youth Association Decoration of Ignacy Solarz

(Odznaka im. Ignacego Solarza)

Instituted by decision of the National Board of the Rural Youth Associoation of December 16, 1987, as the highest organization's honor. Conferred in a single grade to individuals and groups for most outstanding merit to the organization. Named in honor of Ignacy Solarz (1891-1940), a teacher and peasant activist, co-founder of the so-called "people's universities," murdered by the nazis.

Badge: silver medal, 37mm in diameter. Obverse: the head of Ignacy Solarz. Reverse: a three line inscription: IGNACY / SOLARZ / 1891-1940.

Ribbon: 40mm, of three stripes of green and two of red.


1.Obverse
2.Reverse

Rural Youth Association Decoration of Merit

(Odznaka honorowa za Zaslugi dla Zwiazku Mlodziezy Wiejskiej)

Decoration of Merit of the Rural Youth Association

(Odznaka Honorowa za Zaslugi dla Zwiazku Mlodziezy Wiejskiej)

Instituted by decision of Congress of Delegates of the Rural Youth Association of October 23, 1984, as a superior class of the gold and silver Badge of Merit of the Rural Youth Association. It could be conferred to individuals as well as to organizations and institutions who for merit to the Association and peasant movement.

Badge: silver Greek cross, 33 x 33 mm with corn spikes betwen the arms. In the center there is a gearwheel with a stylized torch - the emblem of the Association inside. The reverse bears the inscription ZA / ZASLUGI / DLA / ZMW and two laurel sprays on the sides.

Ribbon: 33 mm, green with a broad white central stripe, flanked by narrower red stripes, and with a red pinstripe on either side.


POLISH SCOUT ASSOCIATION
(ZWIAZEK HARCERSTWA POLSKIEGO - ZHP)

see Republic of Poland since 1990


COUNTRY DEFENSE LEAGUE
(LIGA OBRONY KRAJU - LOK)

see Republic of Poland since 1990


ASSOCIATION OF FORMER PROFESSIONAL MILITARY
(ZWIAZEK BYLYCH ZOLNIERZY ZAWODOWYCH - ZBZZ)

see Republic of Poland since 1990


CIVIC MILITIA VOLUNTARY RESERVE
(OCHOTNICZA REZERWA MILICJI OBYWATELSKIEJ - ORMO)

A paramilitary organization, instituted by decision of the Government of 1946 as an auxiliary force to assist the Civic Militia and Security Service in protection of public order. In 1946-1948 the organization helped the Security Service fight underground patriotic organizations. In 1980 it counted ca. 460,000 members. Discontinued in 1989.

* * *

1.Decoration

Meritorious Member of the Civic Militia Voluntary Reserve

(Odznaka "Zasluzony dzialacz Ochotniczej Rezerwy Milicji Obywatelskiej")

Instituted in 1974. Conferred in one class for both members and non-members of the organization for outstanding merit to the organization. The badge is worn on the right breast.

Badge: round gilt medal with a stylized eight pointed star. The central medallion depicts the acronym OR / MO on light blue background; a white ring bears the circumscription: ZASLUZONEMU : DZIALACZOWI (to the meritorious member). Reverse: plain.

Suspension: light blue enameled trapezium bar with a red central stripe flanked by narrower white ones.

Ribbon: 38 mm, similar to the suspension.


COMMITTEE FOR SAFEGUARDING MONUMENTS OF STRUGGLE AND MARTYRDOM
(RADA OCHRONY POMNIKOW WALK I MECZENSTWA - ROPWiM)

see Republic of Poland since 1990


"POLONIA" SOCIETY
(TOWARZYSTWO "POLONIA)"

An organization, founded 1955 to maintain and develop Polish traditions among Poles abroad. Discontinued in 1989.

* * *

1.Obverse (gold)
2.Reverse (gold)

Polonia Society Decoration of Honor

(Oznaka honorowa Towarzystwa "Polonia")

Instituted on December 19, 1984. Conferred for outstanding merit to the society. Came in three classes: gold, silver and bronze.

Badge: round convex medal, 31 mm of diameter, in the form of a globe with a fork cross superimposed. In the middle of the cross there is an uncrowned state eagle. Reverse: stylized flames and the circumscription POLONIA : Z (in the center) : MACIERZA (Polonia with the mother country).

Ribbon: 31 mm, dark blue with with a half white half red central stripe (7 mm).


POLISH-SOVIET FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY
(TOWARZYSTWO PRZYJAZNI POLSKO-RADZIECKIEJ - TPPR)

An organization, established 1944. The Society organized propaganda enterprises, like the celebrations of the October revolution, cultural meetings and trips to the USSR. In 1991 it was replaced by the Poland-Russial Association (Stowarzyszenie Polska-Rosja).

* * *

1.Obverse [Reverse]

Meritorious Member Decoration

(Odznaka "Zasluzony Dzialacz TPPR")

Instituted by decision of the Board of the Society of November 14, 1986. Conferred in a single grade, solely to those members who had been honored with the title of Meritorious Member and been recorded in the Book of Honor of the Society.

Badge: gold five pointed star, 40 mm of diameter, with white enameled arms. Between the arms and golden rays between them. In the center there is the symbol of the organization: Polish and Soviet enameled flags surrounded by a half wreath with the letters TPPR. The reverse bears the inscription: ZASLUZONY DZIALACZ TPPR.

Ribbon: 30 mm, cherry red with a half white half red central stripe (identical with the one of the Decoration of Janek Krasicki).


1.Obverse (gold)
2.Reverse (silver)

Decoration for Merit in Friendship Strengthening between People's Poland and USSR

(Odznaka za Zaslugi w Umacnianiu Przyjazni PRL-ZSRR)

Instituted by decision of the Board of the Society of 1983 (announced November 14, 1986). Conferred in two classes: gold and silver to the individuals or organizations who had distinguished themselves in strengthening economic, cultural and other relations between People's Poland and the USSR. The decoration was also conferred for merit to the organization.

Badge: round medal, 35 mm of diameter. Obverse: the symbol of the society on radiant background: Polish and Soviet enameled flags surrounded by a half wreath with the letters TPPR. Reverse: acronyms PRL and ZSRR (USSR) separated by oak leaves; all surrounded by a ring with the citcumscription: ZA ZASLUGI : W UMACNIANIU PRZYJAZNI (for merit in strengthening of friendship).

Ribbon: 35 mm, medium blue with a half white half red central stripe (4 mm).



1.Obverse [Reverse]

Decoration for Brotherly Assistance

(Odznaka "Za Braterska Pomoc")

Instituted by decision of the Board of the Society of November 14, 1986. Conferred in a single grade, solely to Soviet individuals, institutions and organizations for merit in the Polish-Soviet cooperation.

Badge: silver ten pointed star, five red and five white enameled, with stylized rays between them. In the center there is an enameled symbol of the organization. The reverse bears a circle with the inscription: ZA BRATERSKA POMOC TPPR.

Ribbon: 40 mm, of three stripes - red (20 mm), white (10 mm) and red (20 mm). The ribbon ot the Medal for Your Liberty and Ours is also encountered.


COUNCIL OF POLES - FORMER RED ARMY SOLDIERS
(KRAJOWA RADA POLAKOW - BYLYCH ZOLNIERZY ARMII CZERWONEJ)



1.Gold medal on ribbon
2.Silver medal, [reverse]

"Poles in the Red Army 1941-1945" Medal

(Medal "Polacy w Szeregach Armii Czerwonej 1941-1945")

Instituted in May 1980. Conferred in two classes (gold - added 1982 and silver) to honor those Polish nationals who had served in the Red Army during the so called "Great Patriotic War" against nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945. The gold medal was conferred for paricular merit to the organization and strengthening Polish-Soviet brotherhood in arms.

Badge: round gold or silver medal, 35 mm of diameter. Obverse: the heads of a Polish and Soviet soldier in helmets, circumscribed BYLYM ZOLNIERZOM ARMII RADZIECKIEJ (to former soldiers of the Soviet Army); below there are the years 1941-1945 and two laurel sprays. Reverse: the names of the places which had marked the track of the Red Army: MOSKWA / STALINGRAD / LENINGRAD / KURSK LENINO / WARSZAWA / BERLIN.

Suspension: red enameled rectangular bar 32 x 9 mm, with a gold or silver five pointed star in the center. Unofficially the medal can be worn on a 34 mm wide red ribbon with a gilt or silver five pointed star. Ribbon bar: 34 mm, red with a gilt or silver star.


FRIENDS OF CHILDREN SOCIETY
(TOWARZYSTWO PRZYJACIOL DZIECI - TPD)

see Republic of Poland since 1990


POLISH HUNTING SOCIETY
(POLSKI ZWIAZEK LOWIECKI - PZL)

see Republic of Poland since 1990


ORDER OF SMILE
(KAPITULA ORDERU USMIECHU)

see Republic of Poland since 1990


ORDER OF THE WHITE RAVEN
(KAPITULA ORDERU BIALEGO KRUKA)

see Republic of Poland since 1990


ORDER OF POMIAN
(KAPITULA ORDERU POMIANA)

see Republic of Poland since 1990


© Lukasz Gaszewski 1997, 2001
[Index page]