Medal for soldiers from Bessarabia and Bukovina

Ribbon buckle of the medal

The medal for soldiers from Bessarabia and Bukovina ( Romanian Pro Basarabia și Bucovina ) was founded on October 27, 1943 by King Mihai I of Romania as a peace award by law.

Foundation content

The opening words of the foundation were:

"Michael I, by God's grace and the will of the people, King of Romania, greetings to all present and future. At the suggestion of the head of state Marshal Ion Antonescu, under No. 357 068 of 1943, on the basis of the provisions of the Law Decrees No. 3052 of September 5th and No. 3072 of September 7th, we have decreed and decreed: “

- We will donate a medal that will be named: Medal of the Bessarab and Bukovinian Soldiers . Given at Sinaia on October 27, 1943 - Michael - Antonescu, Marshal of Romania and Head of State - The National Defense Minister, Army Corps General Constantin Pantazi.

Award requirements

The medal was awarded for life to all those soldiers who came from Bessarabia and Bukovina and who, after the temporary cession of these two areas to the Soviet Union, remained in Romania of their own free will. The right to wear this award was only incumbent on the entrusted personally and was not transferable (e.g. to family members). The determination of this (carrying) right was made by the large General Staff, which passed corresponding lists to the Ministry of Defense / Personnel Directorate, from the wording of which the award requirements were met. The state secretary of the national defense ministry was responsible for the necessary executive decrees.

Appearance

The medal made of tombac with a diameter of 32 mm and a thickness of 2 mm hangs on a round ring with a diameter of 10 mm, through the opening of which the ribbon is pulled. The ribbon itself with a width of approx. 38 mm is watered and held in the national colors of Romania. Its blue hem on both sides is 16 mm wide and is then connected by a 1 mm yellow strip, also on both sides. The remaining center of 4 mm was filled in red.

The obverse shows to the right of the medal half a Romanian woman with braids, who is pointing at the symbol of justice in her outstretched right hand and index finger. This is represented by a shining sun, over which a vertical sword is placed. A small silhouette of the tail of an airplane can be seen above the sword . Together with the sword, they form a stylized Christian cross. Next to it is the year: 1941 , the year both areas returned home. Two Romanian soldiers can be seen under the woman on the lower right edge of the medal. One stands for Bessarabia and the other for Bucovina. Both hold a rifle with a bayonet attached in their right hand . The inscription on the medal, interrupted by the symbols shown, reads: a PATRIA RECUNOSCÁTOARE (THANKS TO THE FATHERLAND).

The lapel of the medal shows in the middle two embossed Romanian women lying in chains, the symbol of enslavement. Behind the two, also embossed, the cartographic outlines of Bessarabia and Bukovina with their respective lettering can be seen. On the right, the year of the enslavement 1940

Delivery procedure

The medal itself was sent free of charge by the Ministry of Defense / Personnel Directorate at the same time as the deed of ownership to the person lent, whereby the deeds of ownership were issued by the Ministry of Defense and signed by the Personnel Director. Incidentally, there were no certified copies of the certificate of possession handed out. The serial number assigned with the award was filed in a register of the sponsors.

Revocation and withdrawal of the medal

The right to wear the medal could also be revoked or withdrawn in the event that the wearer lost his Romanian nationality and because of a conviction (punishment) for dishonorable behavior.

Carrying method

The medal was worn as a peace award behind all Romanian war decorations on the left side of the chest or as a ribbon buckle.

Web links

Illustration of the medal with a false ribbon

Individual evidence

↑ Wording of the Foundation, Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. VII
^ Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. II and III
^ Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. IV
^ Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. XI
^ Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. VI
^ Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. IX
^ Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. VIII
^ Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. X

[1] Wording of the Foundation, Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. VII

[2] Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. II and III

[3] Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. IV

[4] Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. XI

[5] Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. VI

[6] Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. IX

[7] Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. VIII

[8] Foundation wording , Romanian State Gazette Part I, No. 23 of January 28, 1944, Art. X