__NOTOC__ The War Medal ( no, Krigsmedaljen) is a Norwegian war decoration for service during

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

, and later for meritous service during war.

Criteria

The Norwegian War Medal was instituted by King Haakon VII of Norway by Royal Decree on 23 May 1941 with the addition of the Royal Decree of 13 November 1942. It may be awarded to Norwegian and foreign members of the military who in a meritorious way have participated in the Second World War for

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the ...

. The War Medal may also awarded posthumously to all Norwegians and foreigners who fought in the Norwegian forces and merchant marine and fell for the

Norwegian Resistance The Norwegian resistance (Norwegian: ''Motstandsbevegelsen'') to the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began after Operation Weserübung in 1940 and ended in 1945. It took several forms: *Asserting the legitimacy of the exiled government, ...

. The distribution ceased in 1951, but in 1979 it was determined by Royal decree that this medal was to be awarded Norwegian and foreign seamen who served on Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission (

Nortraship The Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission (Nortraship) was established in London in April 1940 to administer the Norwegian merchant fleet outside German-controlled areas. Nortraship operated some 1,000 vessels and was the largest shipping company ...

) vessels during World War II for 18 months, or on board

Royal Norwegian Navy The Royal Norwegian Navy ( no, Sjøforsvaret, , Sea defence) is the branch of the Norwegian Armed Forces responsible for naval operations of Norway. , the Royal Norwegian Navy consists of approximately 3,700 personnel (9,450 in mobilized state, ...

vessels. The criteria were again changed in 2012. The medal can be awarded to Norwegians who have served meritously during war, for Norway. It has been awarded for war against ISIL.

Appearance

The obverse side of the medal features the portrait of King Haakon VII of Norway, his name and motto ''Alt for Norge''. The reverse features a wreath, the inscription ''Krigsmedalje'' and the king's monogram. The medal is in bronze and the ribbon is in the colours of the

Royal Standard In heraldry and vexillology, a heraldic flag is a flag containing coats of arms, heraldic badges, or other devices used for personal identification. Heraldic flags include banners, standards, pennons and their variants, gonfalons, guidons, and ...

: red and yellow. If a recipient earns the medal more than once, up to three stars may be attached to the ribbon. Along with the medal comes with a certificate, signed by the king. The medal was first produced at the firm

Spink & Son Spink & Son (established 1666) are an auction and collectibles company known principally for their sales of coins, banknotes, stock and bond certificates and medals. They also deal in philatelic items, wine and spirits, and other collectible ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

.''Krigsmedaljen'' (Store norske leksikon)
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Recipients

* Arne Austeen * Johan Beichmann * Svein Blindheim *

Johannes Brun (officer) Johannes Schwartz Brun (13 May 1891 – 24 July 1977) was a Norwegian businessperson, military officer and bridge champion. He was born in Fredrikstad as a son of Sven Busch Brun (1861–1916) and Signe Marie Friis Giebelhausen (1867–1949). He wa ...

Raymond Couraud Raymond Couraud (aka Captain Jack William Raymond Lee, born 12 January 1920 at Surgères, Charente-Maritime – 1977), was a French soldier and gangster, who through his World War II military exploits became a highly decorated member of the Frenc ...

* Marius Eriksen Jr. *

Erik Gjems-Onstad Erik-Ørn Gjems-Onstad, MBE (22 February 1922 – 18 November 2011) was a Norwegian resistance member, officer, lawyer, sports official, politician, author and anti-immigration activist. Gjems-Onstad joined the Norwegian resistance movement a ...

Sverre Granlund Corporal Sverre Granlund, DCM (9 November 1918 – 10 February 1943) was a Norwegian commando during the Second World War. Early life and World War II He was born in Sauherad in Telemark, to a father from Øyer and a mother from Høland. He l ...

Gunnar Halle (officer) Gunnar Halle DFC (19 November 1907 – 29 October 1986) was a Norwegian engineer and military officer. He was born in Nesodden to lieutenant colonel Einar Halle and Bertha Susanne Koren, and was married to Agnes Reiersen. During the Second Wo ...

Nils Uhlin Hansen Nils Uhlin Hansen (6 May 1919 – 11 January 1945) was a Norwegian long jumper and resistance member during World War II. He had a successful athletics career before the war; setting a Nordic long jump record which was not surpassed for 20 ...

Sverre Haug Sverre Haug (22 July 1907 – 25 October 1943) was a Norwegian resistance member and pilot who died during World War II. He was born in Stokke in 1907. He was married and had one child, and had taken radio and telegraph education. In the Nor ...

Rolf Hauge (army officer) Rolf Hauge (1915 – 1989) was a Norwegian army officer with the rank of colonel. Having participated in the 1940 Norwegian Campaign, opposing the German invasion of Norway, he later served with the Norwegian Armed Forces in exile, commanding ...

Kasper Idland Kasper Idland MM, (21 June 1918 – 25 May 1968) was a Norwegian resistance member during World War II. Idland took part in the Norwegian heavy water sabotage in 1943. Early life and education Idland was born in Figgjo, the second child of ...

Margit Johnsen Margit Johnsen Godø, , nicknamed Malta-Margit, (31 January 1913 – 20 July 1987) was a Norwegian sailor in the merchant navy. For her service on a merchant vessel in convoy to Malta in 1942 she was awarded the St. Olav's Medal with Oak Branch ...

Dagfinn Kjeholt Dagfinn Ellif Kjeholt (24 February 1912 – 17 September 2005) was a Norwegian naval officer. He was born in Horten to Andreas Marentius Kristiansen and Marie Larsen. He graduated as naval officer in 1936. During the Second World War he served as ...

Erik Sture Larre Erik Sture Larre (31 March 1914 – 11 November 2014) was a Norwegian lawyer, resistance member, sports official and environmentalist. Early life and education He was born in Oslo, and grew up in Gamlebyen. He studied law, was a research assistan ...

Leif Larsen Leif Andreas Larsen DSO, DSC, CGM, DSM and Bar (9 January 1906 – 12 October 1990), popularly known as "Shetlands Larsen", was a highly decorated Norwegian sailor. He was arguably the most famous of the men who operated the Shetland bus es ...

Hakon Lunde Hakon Lunde (12 October 1918 – 2 October 2005) was a Norwegian politician for the Progress Party. He was born in Kristiania as a son of wholesaler Ragnvald Bredo Lunde (1889–1964) and housewife Bergljot Iversen (1892–1987). He attended his ...

Helge Mehre Helge Mehre (1 February 1911 – 17 September 1997) was a Norwegian military officer. Personal life Mehre was born in Narvik as son of veterinarian Karl Georg Mehre and Helga Olrik. He married Eva Østgaard in 1952. They resided at Strand. ...

* Fredrik Meyer *

Edward Evans, 1st Baron Mountevans Admiral Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, 1st Baron Mountevans, (28 October 1880 – 20 August 1957) was a Royal Navy officer and Antarctic explorer.H. G. Thursfield, 'Evans, Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell, first Baron Mountevans (188 ...

* Hugo Munthe-Kaas *

Håkon Nilsen Håkon Nilsen (16 April 1913 – 30 January 1976), Stavanger, Norway, popularly known as "Torpedo Nilsen", was a Norwegian war veteran and highly decorated allied naval torpedo commander of World War II. Draug He dramatically escaped Norway in ...

Olav V of Norway Olav V (; born Prince Alexander of Denmark; 2 July 1903 – 17 January 1991) was the King of Norway from 1957 until his death in 1991. Olav was the only child of King Haakon VII of Norway and Maud of Wales. He became heir apparent to the Nor ...

Oluf Reed-Olsen Oluf Bernhard Reed-Olsen (8 July 1918 – 14 October 2002) was a Norwegian resistance member and pilot during World War II. As a resistance member he is best known for the Lysaker Bridge sabotage as well as operating illegal radio transmitters. ...

Boy Rist Boy Roald Rist (1 January 1912 – 16 November 1972) was a member of the Norwegian resistance movement during the German occupation of Norway in World War II. He was an naval officer, and a member Norwegian Independent Company 1 a part of Specia ...

Gerard Broadmead Roope Lieutenant-Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope (13 March 1905 – 8 April 1940) was a posthumous British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy awarded to British and Comm ...

* Annæus Schjødt Jr. *

Inge Steensland Inge Steensland (26 November 1923 – 18 September 2010) was a Norwegian resistance leader and shipping magnate. As a member of Kompani Linge, he participated in several commando raids during the German occupation of Norway, and was also part of th ...

* Skule Storheill *

Anne Margrethe Strømsheim ) , allegiance=Norway , branch=Norwegian Army , serviceyears=1940–1945 , rank= , unit=• Hegra Fortress• Norwegian resistance movement , commands= , battles=World War II * Battle of Hegra Fortress * Resistance to the occupation of Norway , ...

* Edvard Tallaksen *

Leif Tronstad Leif Hans Larsen Tronstad DSO, OBE (27 March 1903 – 11 March 1945) was a Norwegian inorganic chemist, intelligence officer and military organizer. He graduated from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in 1927 and was a prolific research ...

* Ernst Ullring * Leif Utne * Sigurd Valvatne * War Medal (Norway) * Erling Welle-Strand * Dick Zeiner-Henriksen

References

{{Reflist Military awards and decorations of Norway Awards established in 1941 1941 establishments in the United Kingdom Military awards and decorations of World War II Awards disestablished in 1951 Awards established in 2012

Criteria

Appearance

Recipients

See also

References