Cross of Merit with Swords (Poland) explained

Cross of Merit with Swords
Presenter:	the President of Poland
Type:	Medal awarded in three grades: Gold, Silver, Bronze.
Awarded For:	Deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct combat, and for merit demonstrated in perilous circumstances.
Status:	In the award system but a wartime decoration only
Established:	October 19, 1942
Higher:	Cross of Merit for Bravery
Lower:	Cross of Merit

The Cross of Merit with Swords is a Polish military award established October 19, 1942, by the Polish Government in Exile.

Criteria

The Cross of Merit with Swords is awarded for deeds of bravery and valor during time of war not connected with direct combat, and for merit demonstrated in perilous circumstances. The cross may be awarded twice in each grade to the same person (since 1992; earlier it has could be awarded four times).^[1]

Grades

The Order has three grades:^[1]

Ribbon bars of the Cross of Merit with Swords
		width=20% align=center	Gold Cross	width=20% align=center	Silver Cross	width=20% align=center	Bronze Cross
model 1942	width=25% align=center	awarded first time	width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center
	width=25% align=center	awarded twice	width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center
	width=25% align=center	awarded three times	width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center
	width=25% align=center	awarded four times	width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center
model 1992	width=25% align=center	awarded first time	width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center
model 1992	width=25% align=center	awarded twice	width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center		width=20% align=center

Recipients

Stansilaw Lukaszewicz (Bronze Cross of Merit with Swords), Sargeant 10 Dragoons, 1 Polish Armoured Division, 1 Polish Corps for action at Falaise Gap, France 1944.^[2]
Bolesław Piwowarczyk (Bronze Cross of Merit with Swords), Sergeant 5th Kresowa Division, 2nd Polish Corps.
Paul Jacot (Silver Cross of Merit with Swords), Civilian For the courage and bravery shown within the Polish organisation (resistance) during the battle for independence on French territory in 1943 and 1944**..
Mieczyslaw Lezanowski (Silver Cross of Merit with Swords), during service in the Middle East then 2nd Lieutenant with the Polish 2nd Corps at the battle of Monte Cassino
Jan Zaleski (Gliwice) (Gold Cross of Merit with Swords), Jan Zaleski, son of Marcin, in the ranks of Bataliny Chlopski was awarded in 1944 with the Gold Merit with Swords.
Charles Gossage Grey (Gold Cross of Merit with Swords), "For service rendered the development of the Polish Military Intelligence during world War II. Réseau F-2.from Jan 4 1941 to Dec 31 1942 ^[3]

Notes and References

Web site: Odznaczenia wojenne. Prezydent. 17 November 2012. Polish. 31 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160831203241/http://www.prezydent.pl/prezydent/kompetencje/ordery-i-odznaczenia/odznaczenia-wojenne. dead.
Letter from Ministry of Defence, 11 June 2003
Polish General Staff S Gano Col. Deputy Chief of Staff