Awarded for Bravery in combat Last awarded 1918 Next (lower) Civil Merit Medal | Established 19 July 1789 Next (higher) Military Merit Medal | |
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Status No longer awarded after the fall of the Austrian Empire | ||
The Medal for Bravery (German: Tapferkeitsmedaille) was a military decoration of Austria-Hungary. Founded on 19 July 1789, it originally came in three classes: the Gold Class, and the First and Second Silver Class. A fourth class, the Bronze, began during World War I, on 14 February 1915. Bars denoting subsequent awards within the same classes to the same honorees began on 29 November 1915. Medals awarded during World War I were minted with the countenance of Emperor Franz Josef until some months after his death. Starting in April 1917, the visage of his successor, Archduke Charles I of Austria, was substituted.
On 26 September 1917, the Gold and First Class Silver Medal for Bravery was authorized for officers, where their battle leading activity or braveness was not enough for the articles of the Military Order of Maria Theresa. The officers received the same order, but on the trifold ribbon the letter "K" (in gold or silver) shows it is the officers version.
The Tapferkeitsmedaille were awarded for courage in combat until the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire on 31 October 1918.
After World War I and dissolution of Austria-Hungary the new established Kingdom of Hungary instituted in 1922 the Medal of Bravery in silver only.
By 14 April 1939 gold, large silver, small silver and bronze awards were issued to non-commissioned officers and men and on 12 September 1942 the gold medal for bravery award (Magyar Tiszti Arany Vitézségi Érem) for officers was added. Notable recipient was Hans-Ulrich Rudel of the German Luftwaffe.