What is 10 Second War Stories?

10 Second War Stories brings military history to life through stories, veteran profile, force profiles, and equipment guides across all nations and conflicts.

What is the difference between the first and second class?

The medal was created in 1979 in two separate levels. The First Class medal was given to soldiers who faced direct fighting on the front lines. The Second Class medal was meant for the brave troops who provided support, such as those who fixed trucks or brought supplies to the soldiers.

Where did most recipients earn this medal?

Most Cuban soldiers earned this medal while serving in the African nation of Angola. Cuba sent troops there to help in a long civil war that lasted for many years. Many soldiers also earned the medal during the Ogaden War in Ethiopia and other tough fights in southern Africa.

Did doctors and workers get this medal?

This specific medal was only for people in the military like soldiers, sailors, and pilots. Doctors and other civilian workers who traveled abroad received a different award instead. That award is called the Internationalist Worker Medal and honored their help in schools or hospitals.

Is the medal still awarded?

You will rarely see this medal given out today. Cuba stopped sending large armies to fight in other countries when their missions ended in 1991. Because the big military campaigns are over, the medal is now a piece of history that shows what veterans did in the past.

What image is on the front of the medal?

The front of the medal shows important symbols of the Cuban military. It features a bright star and images that stand for weapons used by the army. These pictures were meant to show how Cuba worked with other countries to support their goals around the world.

What is the difference between the first and second class?

The medal was created in 1979 in two separate levels. The First Class medal was given to soldiers who faced direct fighting on the front lines. The Second Class medal was meant for the brave troops who provided support, such as those who fixed trucks or brought supplies to the soldiers.

Where did most recipients earn this medal?

Most Cuban soldiers earned this medal while serving in the African nation of Angola. Cuba sent troops there to help in a long civil war that lasted for many years. Many soldiers also earned the medal during the Ogaden War in Ethiopia and other tough fights in southern Africa.

Did doctors and workers get this medal?

This specific medal was only for people in the military like soldiers, sailors, and pilots. Doctors and other civilian workers who traveled abroad received a different award instead. That award is called the Internationalist Worker Medal and honored their help in schools or hospitals.

Is the medal still awarded?

You will rarely see this medal given out today. Cuba stopped sending large armies to fight in other countries when their missions ended in 1991. Because the big military campaigns are over, the medal is now a piece of history that shows what veterans did in the past.

What image is on the front of the medal?

The front of the medal shows important symbols of the Cuban military. It features a bright star and images that stand for weapons used by the army. These pictures were meant to show how Cuba worked with other countries to support their goals around the world.

Home Library CubaMedal for Internationalist Combatants

Campaign medal

Medal for Internationalist Combatants

A widely awarded campaign medal given to soldiers who served in foreign combat zones like Angola and Ethiopia.

Cuba Established 1979 Revolutionary Armed ForcesPrecedence: Worn among senior campaign medals ahead of service anniversary awards

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded for honorable participation in armed combat missions and military operations on foreign soil.

Eligibility

Cuban soldiers, sailors, pilots, and military specialists deployed to overseas combat operations.

Branch

Revolutionary Armed Forces

Precedence

Worn among senior campaign medals ahead of service anniversary awards

Medal for Internationalist Combatants, Campaign medal, Cuba medal

History

Cuba instituted the Medal for Internationalist Combatants in December 1979 to recognize thousands of soldiers serving abroad. Cuba had sent large armies to Africa to fight in civil and regional conflicts.

The award came in two classes: First Class (often gold in finish) for direct combatants and Second Class for supporting troops. It standardized campaign recognition across all foreign deployments.

Throughout the 1980s, over 300,000 Cuban soldiers deployed overseas, making this medal one of the most common and proudly worn combat medals in Cuban military history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used In

Angolan Civil WarOgaden WarSouth African Border War

Veterans Who Received This Award

Realistic illustration of the military medals and badges awarded to Leopoldo Cintra Frías, including Medal for Internationalist Combatants, Commemorative Medal 20th Anniversary of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Order of Ernesto Che Guevara, Medal for the Defense of Cuito Cuanavale, Medal for Victory in the Republic of Angola, Order of Antonio Maceo, shown against a light Cuba flag background. AI-generated illustration, not an authentic photograph.

Cold War

Medal for Internationalist Combatants Commemorative Medal 20th Anniversary of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Order of Ernesto Che Guevara+3

Leopoldo Cintra Frías

Who Was Leopoldo Cintra Frías?

A key commander for Cuban forces during the Angolan Civil War.

Cuba1987-1988

Read Story

Sources

Back to Cuba