Order of the Vytis Cross
The Order of the Vytis Cross was founded on May 18, 1919 by the President of the Republic of Lithuania Aleksandras Stulginskis and can be awarded to people who have made a contribution to the freedom and independence of the country. Awards continued until the occupation of the republic in 1940. After Lithuania regained independence, the order was restored on January 15, 1991.
Order classes
The order consists of five classes
The medal of the Vytis Cross is associated with the order.
Order decoration
The medal is a black enamelled Lorraine cross with a white border . On the vertical bar lies the red enameled national coat of arms , which is underlaid by two crossed swords. In the reverse there is the inscription UŽ NARSUMA (for bravery) in the horizontal crossbar at the top and 1919 (year of foundation) at the bottom .
Carrying method
The grand cross is worn on a sash from the right to the left side and with a nine- pointed breast star on which the medal is placed. Grand officers decorate the award just like the commanders as a neck medal, but they also wear the breast star described. Officers and knights wear the award on the ribbon on the left side of the chest. Both classes differ only in the number of bands in the form of an oak branch .
The ribbon is moire red with a wide and a narrow black side stripe.
literature
- Peter Duckers: European Orders and Decorations to 1945 , Shire Publications Ltd. 2008, ISBN 978-0-7478-0670-7 , pp. 57-58
- Kavaliauskas, Vilius: Už nuopelnus Lietuvai = For merits to Lithuania: orders and medals of the Republic of Lithuania 1918 - 1940. [1.] 2. Vilnius 2001 - 2003. ISBN 5-415-01592-2 (vol. 1). ISBN 9986-76710-5 (Vol. 2)