The honours system in the

Republic of Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine States of Austria, states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, th ...

is a means of rewarding individuals' personal achievement, or service to

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

state decoration A state decoration is an object, such as a medal or the insignia of an Order (distinction), order, that is awarded by a sovereign state to honor the recipient. The term includes: *Civil awards and decorations *Military awards and decorations See ...

s and medals. The system consists of several types of award which were established by the

National Council (Austria) The National Council (german: Nationalrat) is one of the two houses of the Austrian Parliament and is frequently referred to as the lower house. The constitution endows the National Council with far more power than the Federal Council. Responsi ...

and are conferred by the

President of Austria The president of Austria (german: Bundespräsident der Republik Österreich) is the head of state of the Republic of Austria. Though theoretically entrusted with great power by the Constitution, in practice the president is largely a ceremonial ...

in accordance with the respective laws. Hofburg

Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria

History

Over time, the

National Council of Austria The National Council (german: Nationalrat) is one of the two houses of the Austrian Parliament and is frequently referred to as the lower house. The Politics of Austria, constitution endows the National Council with far more power than the Federa ...

has enacted a series of laws establishing the various decorations and medals which now make up the Austrian honours system. Among these were * in 1952, the "

Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria The Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (german: Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich) is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria. It is divided into 15 classes and is the highest award in the A ...

" (''Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich'') -- awarded in 15 classes. * in 1955, the "

Austrian Decoration for Science and Art The Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (german: Österreichisches Ehrenzeichen für Wissenschaft und Kunst) is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria and forms part of the Austrian national honours system. History The "Austrian D ...

" (''Österreichisches Ehrenzeichen für Wissenschaft und Kunst'') -- awarded in 3 classes. * in 1976, the "

Decoration for Services to the Liberation of Austria The Decoration for Services to the Liberation of Austria (german: Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Befreiung Österreichs) was created by federal law on 27 January 1976. It is a special distinction for men and women who actively resisted the Na ...

" (''Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Befreiung Österreichs'') -- awarded in 1 class. * in 1989, the " Military Merit Decoration" (''Militärverdienstzeichen'') -- awarded in 1 class.

Precedence

Note: this list is not complete The

order of precedence An order of precedence is a sequential hierarchy of nominal importance and can be applied to individuals, groups, or organizations. Most often it is used in the context of people by many organizations and governments, for very formal and state o ...

of the decorations and medals in the current Austrian honours system is: *

( ... ''für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich'') ** Grand Star (''Groß-Stern des Ehrenzeichens für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich'').Hofburg
Decoration (English)

Ehrenzeichen (German).
** Grand Decoration in Gold with Sash (''Großes Goldenes Ehrenzeichen am Bande für ... ''). ** Grand Decoration in Silver with Sash (''Großes Silbernes Ehrenzeichen am Bande für ... ''). ** Grand Decoration in Gold with Star (''Großes Goldenes Ehrenzeichen mit Stern für ... ''). ** Grand Decoration in Silver with Star (''Großes Silbernes Ehrenzeichen mit Stern für ... ''). *

(''Österreichisches Ehrenzeichen für Wissenschaft und Kunst''). * Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria ** Grand Decoration in Gold (''Großes Goldenes Ehrenzeichen für ... ''). ** Grand Decoration in Silver (''Großes Silbernes Ehrenzeichen für ... ''). * " Austrian Decoration for Military Merit" (''Österreichisches Militärverdienstzeichen''). * Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class (''Österreichisches Ehrenkreuz für Wissenschaft und Kunst, Erste Klasse''). * Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria ** Grand Decoration (''Großes Ehrenzeichen für ... ''). * "

Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art The Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (german: Österreichisches Ehrenzeichen für Wissenschaft und Kunst) is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria and forms part of the Austrian national honours system. History The "Austrian D ...

" (''Österreichisches Ehrenkreuz für Wissenschaft und Kunst''). * Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria ** Gold Decoration (''Goldenes Ehrenzeichen für ... '').Hofburg
Ehrenzeichen (German).
** Silver Decoration (''Silbernes Ehrenzeichen für ... ''). *

Decoration for Services to Austria's Liberation The Decoration for Services to the Liberation of Austria (german: Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Befreiung Österreichs) was created by federal law on 27 January 1976. It is a special distinction for men and women who actively resisted the Na ...

(''Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Befreiung Österreichs''). * Merit Badge of the Republic of Austria (''Verdienstzeichen der Republik Österreich'') ** Gold Merit Badge (''Goldenes Verdienstzeichen ... ''). ** Silver Merit Badge (''Silbernes Verdienstzeichen ... ''). * Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria (''Medaille für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich'') ** Gold Medal (''Goldene Medaille für ... ''). ***The "Gold Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria" may also be conferred as "Gold Medal with Red Riband" when awarded for bravery during an act of lifesaving. ** Silver Medal (''Silberne Medaille für ... ''). ** Bronze Medal (''Bronzene Medaille für ... ''), which is no longer awarded. * Austrian Olympic Medal 1964 (''Österreichische Olympiamedaille 1964'') * Austrian Olympic Medal 1976 (''Österreichische Olympiamedaille 1976'') * Federal Honor Decoration ('' Bundes-Ehrenzeichen'') * Mine Rescue Medal ('' Grubenwehrehrenzeichen'') *

Military Recognition Medal The Military Recognition Medal (german: Militär-Anerkennungsmedaille) is a military decoration of the Republic of Austria. Established in 2006, the medal may be awarded to members of the military or civilians for service to the Austrian Armed For ...

(''Militär-Anerkennungs-medaille'') *

Wound Medal (Austria) A Wound Medal is a medal, usually military, generally given to persons wounded or otherwise invalided as a result of combat action, and may refer to: * Wound Medal (Austria-Hungary) * Wound Medal (Independent State of Croatia) (1941-1945) * Wound ...

(''Verwundetenmedaille'') ** Wound Medal for the Bundesheer, 1st class (''Verwundetenmedaille 1. Klasse'') ** Wound Medal for Law Enforcement, 1st class (''Verwundetenmedaille 1. Klasse der Exekutive'') ** Wound Medal for the Bundesheer, 2nd class (''Verwundetenmedaille 2. Klasse'') ** Wound Medal for Law Enforcement, 2nd class (''Verwundetenmedaille 2. Klasse der Exekutive'') *

Austrian Armed Forces Operations Medal The Austrian Armed Forces Operations Medal (german: Einsatzmedaille des Österreichischen Bundesheeres) was established in 2001 to recognize operational service by the Military of Austria. The medal is 40 mm wide and round, suspended from a ri ...

('' Einsatzmedaille des Österreichischen Bundesheeres'') ** Austrian Armed Forces Operations Medal for Military Defence (''Einsatzmedaille gem §2 Abs.1 lit. a WG militärische Landesverteidigung'') ** Austrian Armed Forces Operations Medal for Operations Abroad (''Einsatzmedaille gem §2 Abs.1 lit. d WG Einsätze im Ausland'') ** Austrian Armed Forces Operations Medal for Public Order Operations (''Einsatzmedaille gem §2 Abs.1 lit. b WG Einsätze im Inneren'') ** Austrian Armed Forces Operations Medal for Natural Disasters (''Einsatzmedaille gem §2 Abs.1 lit. c WG Elemetarereignisse, etc'') *

Law Enforcement Merit Decoration The Law Enforcement Merit Decoration (German language, German: Exekutivdienstzeichen) is a state award of the Republic of Austria, established by federal law on December 1, 1985. Criteria The Law Enforcement Merit Decoration is awarded for 30 yea ...

('' Exekutivdienstzeichen'') *

Military Service Award A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...

(''Wehrdienstzeichen'') *

Military Service Medal The Military Service Medal german: Wehrdienstmedaille is a military medal awarded to members of the Military of Austria. It is awarded in three classes: gold, silver, and bronze depending on length of recognized service. Established in 1963, the me ...

('' Wehrdienstmedaille'') *

Militia Medal The Militia Medal (german: Milizmedaille) is a military medal of Austria awarded to members of the militia in recognition of services rendered in militia activities. It can only be awarded once. Criteria The Militia Medal is awarded to members ...

(''Milizmedaille'')

Notes

References

*Poul Ohm Hieronymussen, Poul Ohm. (1967)
''Orders and Decorations of Europe in Color.''
New York:

Macmillan MacMillan, Macmillan, McMillen or McMillan may refer to: People * McMillan (surname) * Clan MacMillan, a Highland Scottish clan * Harold Macmillan, British statesman and politician * James MacMillan, Scottish composer * William Duncan MacMillan ...

OCLC 796549
* Werlich, Robert. (1965)
''Orders and Decorations of All Nations: Ancient and Modern, Civil and Military.''
Washington, D.C.: Quaker Press.
OCLC 390804

External links

{{Decorations by country