Polish Order of Military Virtue – 5th Class

Product Description: A rare and historically significant Order of Virtuti Militari (Order of Military Virtue), 5th Class Silver Cross, serial number 2386, attributed to Wiktor Kejzik of the 201st Infantry Regiment on May 13, 1921. This award was presented in recognition of Kejzik’s bravery during the Polish-Soviet War (1919–1921), a pivotal conflict that helped secure Poland’s independence in the aftermath of World War I. This early 1920 pattern Silver Cross features the traditional black-enameled Maltese cross with silver edging. The obverse bears the inscription “VIRTUTI MILITARI”, while the reverse medallion is marked with the founding date “1792.” The medal retains its original black-and-blue ribbon and shows only light, honest wear consistent with age and service. Serial-numbered examples from this formative period of the Second Polish Republic are increasingly scarce, particularly with attribution to a known regiment. This is a highly desirable piece for collectors of Polish military orders and early 20th-century European history.

Historical Description: The Order of Virtuti Militari is Poland’s highest military decoration and one of the oldest in the world, established in 1792 by King Stanisław August Poniatowski to honor exceptional bravery in combat. Awarded in five classes, it has recognized Polish soldiers across key conflicts—from the Napoleonic Wars and national uprisings to both World Wars and the Polish-Soviet War. Despite changes in Poland’s political landscape, including use by both the wartime government-in-exile and the postwar communist state, the Virtuti Militari remains a revered symbol of Polish valor, patriotism, and the enduring struggle for independence.

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