The Cross of Merit for Bravery (Polish: Krzyż Zasługi za Dzielność) is a Polish medal awarded for selfless bravery in the defense of law, national borders, and the life and property of citizens in especially difficult circumstances.
It was established on March 7, 1928 as a military grade of the Cross of Merit. The medal was awarded until World War II and was not recognized by the post-war government. On October 16, 1992 the medal was reintroduced and is currently awarded to police officers, firefighters, and several military and civilian agencies involved in intelligence or security.
The obverse bears the words "Za Dzielność" (Polish: For Bravery) and the letters RP for Republic of Poland.
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Famous quotes containing the words cross, merit and/or bravery:
“There is the grand truth about Nathaniel Hawthorne. He says NO! in thunder; but the Devil himself cannot make him say yes. For all men who say yes, lie; and all men who say no,—why, they are in the happy condition of judicious, unincumbered travellers in Europe; they cross the frontiers into Eternity with nothing but a carpet-bag,—that is to say, the Ego. Whereas those yes-gentry, they travel with heaps of baggage, and, damn them! they will never get through the Custom House.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973)