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:
“It is an agreeable change to cross a lake, after you have been shut up in the woods, not only on account of the greater expanse of water, but also of sky. It is one of the surprises which Nature has in store for the traveler in the forest. To look down, in this case, over eighteen miles of water, was liberating and civilizing even.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“The merit of those who fill a space in the world’s history, who are borne forward, as it were, by the weight of thousands whom they lead, shed a perfume less sweet than do the sacrifices of private virtue.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“People glorify all sorts of bravery except the bravery they might show on behalf of their nearest neighbours.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)