Order of the White Lion
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The Order of the White Lion is the highest order of the Czech Republic, which continues a Czechoslovak order of the same name created in 1922 as an award for foreigners ( Czechoslovakia had no decoration for its citizens in 1920s and 1930s). The Order of the White Lion bestowed for distinguished services to the Czech state on a national level.
The Order of the White Lion is issued in six grades with the fifth and fourth classes presented as medals, the third class awarded as a neck order, the second class as a neck order with chest star, and the first class as a grand cross (sash with badge and chest star). The supreme grade of the Order of the White Lion is a gold neck chain which is only presented by the Czech President to fellow Heads of State.
During World War II, the Order of the White Lion reached its height as an award to those who had helped liberate Czechoslovakia from occupation by Nazi Germany. Following the surrender of Germany in May 1945, a large number of foreign bestowals were made by presenting the Order of the White Lion to senior officers of the Allied militaries. Dwight Eisenhower and George S. Patton are two Americans which received the Order of the White Lion after the close of World War II.
The Order of the White Lion is still maintained as an active medal of the Czech Republic.
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[edit] External links
- Orders and Medals of Czechoslovakia including Order of the White Lion (in English and Czech)
- State decorations of the Czech Republic (in English)
