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

Can regular soldiers receive the highest grade?

Yes, any person serving in the military can win this award regardless of their rank. It does not matter if you are a common soldier or a high-ranking officer. If you show amazing bravery, leadership, and loyalty while fighting in battle, you may be chosen to receive it.

Can a whole group or unit get this award?

Yes, this medal can be given to an entire military unit for their combined hard work and courage. When a group wins this honor, the medal is attached directly to the unit's official battle flag. This proves that every single member of the group acted with great bravery during a difficult war.

Has anyone won it in recent modern wars?

Yes, the award is still used today to honor very special acts of heroism. In the 2000s, the Dutch government gave this honor to commandos who fought during dangerous missions in Afghanistan. It shows that soldiers in our modern times still perform acts of amazing courage.

What words are written on the medal cross?

The cross has the special Dutch motto 'Voor Moed, Beleid en Trouw' stamped on it. In English, these words mean 'For Bravery, Leadership, and Loyalty.' These three traits are exactly what the medal represents for every hero who earns this high honor.

Can regular soldiers receive the highest grade?

Yes, any person serving in the military can win this award regardless of their rank. It does not matter if you are a common soldier or a high-ranking officer. If you show amazing bravery, leadership, and loyalty while fighting in battle, you may be chosen to receive it.

Can a whole group or unit get this award?

Yes, this medal can be given to an entire military unit for their combined hard work and courage. When a group wins this honor, the medal is attached directly to the unit's official battle flag. This proves that every single member of the group acted with great bravery during a difficult war.

Has anyone won it in recent modern wars?

Yes, the award is still used today to honor very special acts of heroism. In the 2000s, the Dutch government gave this honor to commandos who fought during dangerous missions in Afghanistan. It shows that soldiers in our modern times still perform acts of amazing courage.

What words are written on the medal cross?

The cross has the special Dutch motto 'Voor Moed, Beleid en Trouw' stamped on it. In English, these words mean 'For Bravery, Leadership, and Loyalty.' These three traits are exactly what the medal represents for every hero who earns this high honor.

Home Library NetherlandsMilitary Order of William

Valor decoration

Military Order of William

The Military Order of William is the highest and oldest Dutch award for supreme battlefield bravery and leadership.

Netherlands Established 1815 All servicesPrecedence: 1st, the highest honor in the Dutch honors system

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded for performing exceptional deeds of bravery, leadership, and extreme devotion to duty in combat.

Eligibility

Open to all Dutch military personnel, members of allied armed forces, and entire military units regardless of rank.

Branch

All services

Precedence

1st, the highest honor in the Dutch honors system

Military Order of William, Valor decoration, Netherlands medal

History

King William I established this award in April 1815 right after the Netherlands became a kingdom. It was modeled on modern knightly orders and designed to reward acts of extreme gallantry by soldiers of any rank. Unlike older royal traditions, both common soldiers and top officers could receive it if they showed amazing bravery.

During the twentieth century, the medal was awarded heavily during World War II and in the conflict in the Dutch East Indies. Dutch soldiers, allied troops, and whole resistance or military units received the cross for defending freedom against Axis powers.

Awards became very rare after the 1950s. However, in the twenty-first century, the Dutch government revived conferring the award for heroic actions during modern NATO missions in places like Afghanistan.