Awards of
World War IIThe Polish Medal For Warsaw 1939-1945 was established by the Decree of the Council of Ministers of November 21, 1945: "in commemoration of the heroic history of Warsaw in the war against the Nazi invaders, the history of the soldier who defended the capital in September 1939, fought during the occupation, or died in the tragic uprising, as well as to mark the victorious liberation of Warsaw by the revived Polish Army in alliance with the Red Army and to reward the participants in these battles for the capital."
The Medal For Warsaw was established in one class, and according to the statute, it could be awarded only once:
- for active participation in the defense of Warsaw in 1939 year;
- for participation in the resistance movement in 1939-45;
- for participation in the Warsaw Uprising;
- for participation in the liberation of Warsaw in January 1945.
According to the statute, citizens of other countries could also be awarded the medal, but in the majority of cases, Soviet soldiers were eligible for it, and instead received the Medal For the Liberation of Warsaw of the USSR.
Until 1946, the medal was awarded in the name of the Minister of Defense, upon the recommendation of a special commission created under the ministry. After 1946, this right was delegated to the commanders of military districts, divisions, and the council of the Union of Fighters for Freedom and Democracy. The Medal For Warsaw was finally established in the Polish awards system on February 17, 1960. In 1989, the right to award the medal was transferred to the President of Poland.
By 1989, 131,361 people had been awarded the medal, and from 1989 to 1999, another 4,476. In total, 135,837 people have been awarded the medal.
By decree of October 16, 1992, the awarding of the Medal For Warsaw was deemed complete.
The design of the medal was developed by Stanisław Loce and Stanisław Hepner. The medal was made of bronze, in the form of a perfect circle with a diameter of 33 mm. The obverse features a mermaid with a shield and sword (the coat of arms of Warsaw) in the center, with three openwork waves at the bottom. The central scene is surrounded by a ring, on which the inscription ZA WARSZAWĘ (For Warsaw) is written along the bottom edge, and 1939 1945 at the top, the mermaid's sword symbolizing the dash between the dates. The upper and lower inscriptions are separated by flaming torches.
Until 1946, the reverse of the award was plain, with the four-line inscription RP - OBRONKOM - BOJOWNIKOM - OSWOBODZICIELOM (Republic of Poland - To the Defender - Warrior - Liberator), beneath which was an oak leaf with three acorns.
The medal was attached with an eyelet and ring to a 35mm-wide red silk moiré ribbon with two 4mm-wide yellow stripes, 2mm from the edges.
The medal is worn on the left chest, following the bronze medal "Honored on the Field of Glory."